Press release – 16 August, 2015Sydney, 17 August 2015: Greenpeace have today said the Abbott government needs to stop trying to silence environment groups while mining companies are permitted to get away with tax minimisation.Revelations aired on Channel Seven Sunday Night demonstrate that fossil fuel mining companies are among those flouting the tax laws and ripping off Australians.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Chief Executive Officer, David Ritter said that it was despicable that the Abbott government was threatening to hit mums and dads who donate to environmental charities with a tax slug while fossil fuel mining companies are getting away with tax minimisation.
“The government is currently running a witch hunt into the tax status of environment groups on behalf of the fossil fuel mining industry,” said Mr Ritter.
“The government is currently dragging environment groups in front of hearings around the country demanding to know whether they deserve tax free status for their work protecting the environment.
“These revelations, and the fact the government has done nothing effective about the tax minimisation and tax dodging of the fossil fuel mining industry, clearly show that the Abbott government’s priority is taking care of its mates – while looking to slug Australians who care about the Great Barrier Reef, nature, wildlife and global warming.
“We believe the government is acting on behalf of the fossil fuel industry. We believe the fossil fuel industry has too much power over government.
“When fossil companies get away with tax minimisation, but mums and dads could be prevented from making a tax free donation to an environment group, something is deeply amiss”, Mr Ritter said.
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