Natasha Bita reports:
Police will be given new powers to use people’s secret tax details against them in criminal trials, under legislation that weakens the privacy protection over Australians’ tax returns.
For the first time, prosecutors will be able to use private tax information as evidence in court for “serious offences”, including identity theft, money laundering, drug-smuggling, corporate fraud, sexual slavery and terrorism.
And the Australian Taxation Office will be allowed to hand secret taxpayer information to other government agencies to “prevent or lessen” a serious threat to public health or safety.
Read more on The Australian.