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02 August 2012
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Media release 2012/34
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Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo today welcomed the addition of former Federal Court judge the Hon Kevin Lindgren, as a member of the test case litigation panel.
Justice Lindgren joins external panellists Peter Poulos (Partner Maddocks Lawyers) and Graeme Wade (Accounting Consultant Hamilton Morello), as well as two senior ATO panellists Andrew England (Chief Tax Counsel) and Peter Chochula (Senior Assistant Commissioner).
Under the test case litigation program the ATO can provide financial assistance to people involved in legal cases considered important to the administration of the tax and superannuation systems.
"The program has been operating since the 1990s and is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure we have legal decisions and precedents to guide us and the community on how the law operates," said Mr D'Ascenzo.
"The program is guided by the recommendations of the panel as to whether a case should be granted test case funding.
"Although we provide binding advice through our rulings the courts ultimately have the final say in interpreting the law."
In the past financial year there were 14 court and tribunal decisions on test funded cases. The law was clarified in 12 of these cases with the Government announcing law changes in two.
Last Modified: Thursday, 2 August 2012