
Issue No 117		26 October 2001

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News

NIDA Tax Rorts Embarrass Howard

By Phil Davey

Betaform Pty Ltd, the largest contractor on the NIDA project at Kensington opened by the Prime Minister as a campaign stunt, was recently found by the CFMEU to be not remitting tax deducted from workers to the ATO.

The CFMEU notified the ATO. The company signed and breached two Section 222 ALA agreements with the ATO where they agreed to pay the unpaid tax off over time. The company involved owes $400,000+ to the ATO.

It is believed that this company has strong connections with an individual, Mario Sanna, who has been behind phoenix companies who have failed to remit over $4 million in Group Tax. The Union is aware of these other companies from documents obtained and a Mareva injunction filed with the Federal Court.

The company has broken two agreements with the ATO but is allowed to continue to trade (ie. accrue further debts to the ATO).

Tony Abbott is determined to prevent the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction industry from examining tax fraud. A recent report of the National Crime Authority makes mention of a $1 billion of tax fraud in the industry. Abbott denies this and refuses to accept that this issue should be dealt with by a Royal Commission that will cost Australians $60-80 million.

The CFMEU wants to also know why the ATO Phoenix Squad has had a staff reduction from 13 to three over the last four years whilst building industry tax evasion has exploded.

Rally Outside Royal Commission

Last Monday, 22 October 2001, about 200 CFMEU delegates gathered at Trades Hall and marched to 55 Market Street where the Cole Royal Commission into the Building Industry is being held, to protest against the Howard Government's union-bashing tactics and to call on the Government to broaden the scope of the inquiry to look at OH&S and workers compensation avoidance by employers.

A large group of people from many diverse communities gathered at the rally to show their support for the CFMEU including Ansett workers, George Piggins, President of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Actors Lex Marinos and Bryan Marshall, artists, unions, including the Teachers Federation, ETU, MUA, LHMU, AMWU, TWU, PSA and politicians including the Hon Michael Costa MLC and the Hon Ian West MLC.

The rally was a enormous success with many speakers congratulating the CFMEU on their constant willingness to be involved with a wide range of community organisations and the commitment of all building workers to improving society on many levels by assisting in raising money for many different community groups like NISAD - the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders - for which the CFMEU raised over $80,000 has been raised from the campaign this year.

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  Issue 117 contents

Interview: Brothers In Arms
Labour historian Marilyn Dodkin explains how she exposed ASIO ties with Labor Council's Cold War leadership.

Politics: Defending the Faith
Launching 'Brothers', Premier Bob Carr gave his own take on the allegations that union leaders worked with security agencies during the Cold War.

History: Surviving the Split
In this extract from 'Brothers' Marilyn Dodkin, looks at the manouverings around the establishment of the DLP.

International: Viral Attack
Postal unions in the USA are mobilizing to protect their members from the widening repercussions of an apparent bio-terrorist attack.

Unions: A Living Wage
The ACTU this week unveiled its claim for the 2002 Living Wage Case. Here's what they'll be arguing.

Campaign Diary: Week Three: Wave Them Goodbye
In a week when our boys and girls went off to war, Labor fought a desperate battle to fight the election on the home front.

Human Rights: Colombia's 'Dirty War' Against Unions
It might be tough being an organiser in Australia under the Howard Government, but spare a thought for Colombian trade unionists.

Review: Red Rag Unfurls
Ian Syson is an upfront, knockabout bloke. He heads up a new, small, independent publishing outfit called Red Rag Publications.

Satire: New Hope for Labor: Mackerras Tips Liberal Win
The electoral hopes of the Labor party have revived dramatically, after the perennially unreliable analyst Malcolm Mackerras forecast a huge victory for the Liberals.

» Unions Call for Air Price Floor

» With Friends Like the Banks, Who Needs Kiwis?

» Living Wage Claim For GST Rises

» New Compo Showdown Looms

» NIDA Tax Rorts Embarrass Howard

» First Case Under NSW�s New Pay Equity Principle

» Veil of Silence on Public Sector Outsourcing

» False Start for Race Day

» Union Proxy Campaign Gets A Boost

» Nauru Guards Claim Back-Pay

» Unions Await Final Triumph

» PM Claims No Aged Care Nursing Home Crisis!

» Eighty Woolies Cleaners About To Lose Jobs

» CFMEU Gets Disabled Athlete A Start

» Malaysian Solidarity Action in Sydney

» Activists Notebook