The ATO’s Tax Transparency report shows that 60 percent of foreign and 57 percent of Australian resources and energy firms did not pay tax over the 2013-2014 period. Energy and resources were the sectors with the highest level of non-payment.
Fossil fuel companies Exxon Mobil Australia, Chevron Australia, Peabody Australia, Glencore and Whitehaven are among those that paid no tax for 2013-14. Adani’s Abbot Point Terminal in Queensland - with a turnover of $268 million - also paid no tax.
“What we’re seeing is a series of tactics, such as companies writing off their losses, in order to avoid paying tax,” said Dominique Rowe, Head of Campaigns for Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
“The mining industry claims to be the backbone of the economy, yet taxpayers foot the bill for most of their business inputs. They are free riders of the first order, capitalising off a veil of secrecy around how they arrived at their results.
“With politicians telling us we need to pay for tax rises through a GST, and suffer cut backs to services - the solution is staring the Coalition government in the face.
“The fossil fuel industry makes a hobby of tax minimisation and bullying, and the government needs to stand up to this declining industry.
“Everyone knows the fossil fuel mining industry wields an unhealthy influence over Australian governments in general. It’s clear we need an independent inquiry into the relationship between the fossil fuel industry, its lobbyists and political parties,” she said.
ENDS
Sydney, 17 December 2015 - Greenpeace Australia Pacific today called for greater transparency in business practices after the Australian Tax Office revealed that more than half of resources and energy companies - among the largest in Australia - paid no tax for the 2013-2014 financial year.