Senator Peter Cook today severely embarrassed the Labor Party when he was forced to retract a series of statements he made last night in Senate Estimates calling for the abolition of the Board of Taxation.
Accusing the Board of being "highly suspicious", Senator Cook last night pledged that a Labor Government would "abolish it".
This morning, in a humiliating backdown, Senator Cook had to admit that "this is not the policy of the Party and I now withdraw those remarks".
"Yet again Senator Cook has severely embarrassed his own Party with his intemperate remarks and once more demonstrated Labor’s policy confusion" Senator Kemp said.
Senator Cook yesterday
"You won’t have to worry about this much longer, Mr Smith, we will abolish it"
"I think such a body is highly suspicious"
"I think the Commissioner of Taxation is the right person and he doesn’t need an industry Board to tell him how to conduct tax affairs with the big end of town. The fact that he has got one suggests very strongly that the big end of town do seek sympathetic or favourable treatment from the Tax Office and the disproportionate representation on that board…. raises big questions about that board in the first place. Now I’m prepared to conduct that argument anywhere you’re prepared to take them."
"I don’t think there is the need for a board as I think it is a line responsibility"
Senator Cook today
"Last night I said that we, that is the Labor Party, would abolish the Board of Taxation. That is not the policy of the Party and I now withdraw those remarks"
CANBERRA
23 February, 2001
Media enquiries: Richard Allsop (02) 6277 7360 or (0419) 482 497