MICHAEL D'ASCENZO: I think people misunderstand what compliance is all about. People talk about collection being the amount of money we go out and collect from people.
The whole art of tax administration is trying to create an environment where people voluntarily comply. So the fact that you are out there providing a real deterrence is all about trying to ensure that you don't have to catch anybody out. It's all about trying to get people to pay up. What those collection figures don't disclose is the higher level of voluntary compliance by that segment.
Transcript of Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo interviewed by Alan Kohler on ABC’s Inside Business program – Sunday 2 July 2006
Take the legislative map out of the politicians' hands and give it to an independent panel. Draw the line on redistricting mischief
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Is there a new political breeze wafting across this nation with the federalism remarks from Treasurer Peter Costello? He is the first high-profile politician to speak against the present three-tiered governance system we have had for more than a century.
Let's cut to the chase: Peter Costello wants to abolish the states. Taken to its logical conclusion, that's what the federal Treasurer is really suggesting when he says the national Government should control taxation and that the states are turning inevitably into service deliverers for Canberra
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