Fresh revelations have emerged that a private debt collection agency, engaged by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to pursue unpaid taxes, has itself paid zero corporate tax. This is despite being awarded government contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.
Multi-Million Dollar Contracts and Tax Affairs
According to data published on the government's tender portal, the ATO has awarded contracts worth a total of $42.8 million to the firm Recoveriescorp since 2022. The company's role involves chasing arrears payments, including those from welfare recipients.
However, it has been disclosed that Recoveriescorp has paid no corporate income tax since securing these lucrative public contracts. The revelation raises significant questions about the tax arrangements of firms profiting from government work to collect public revenue.
Breakthrough on Hate Speech Legislation
In a separate political development, a legislative breakthrough has been achieved on proposed hate speech laws. The laws were crafted in response to the Bondi beach terror attack in December, with the aim of helping to combat antisemitism.
A compromise was reached late on Monday after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley agreed to cut a deal with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This agreement between the Liberals and Labor should see the revised bill pass through parliament, which was recalled for a special session to address the issue alongside gun control measures.
International and Other Domestic Headlines
On the world stage, former US President Donald Trump has again made headlines by linking his threats to seize Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize. When questioned on whether he would use force, he responded, "no comment." European industry has criticised his tariff demands as "ludicrous," prompting speculation about potential EU retaliation.
Domestically, Sydney beaches are under scrutiny after a series of shark attacks. A man in his 20s was left in a critical condition following a bite at Manly beach on Monday evening, marking the third such incident at Sydney beaches in just two days.
Furthermore, an exclusive report details that the Northern Territory's incoming administrator made inflammatory remarks in a 2024 speech, insulting the Prime Minister and claiming First Nations people were "the main group responsible" for crime in the region.
