The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) acknowledges the seriousness of the issues raised by the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and A Current Affair (ACA) in relation to several long-running tax-related fraud matters being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).
The ATO takes the matters raised in this reporting seriously and remains committed to accountability. We share the community’s desire for clear and accurate information which is essential to maintaining confidence in the tax system.
The SMH and ACA reporting implied that the ATO had the authority to compel the use of ankle monitors for bail purposes. As advised to ACA prior to airing, the ATO has no authority over bail conditions including the use of ankle monitors. In this advice to ACA, the ATO also made clear that these decisions are entirely matters for the courts. Setting or enforcing such conditions is not part of the ATO’s role.