Mr Murphy asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 29 March 2004:

(1) Further to the answer to part (1) of question No. 2860 (Hansard, 24 March 2004, page 26173), will he explain why he cannot provide this information and does he anticipate being able to provide it in the future; if so, when.

(2) Further to the answer to part (2), is he able to say whether all barristers and solicitors who have previously defaulted on their obligations to the Australian Taxation Office are now fully complying with taxation law; if not, why not.

(3) Is he able to say whether there are other barristers or solicitors who are not complying with taxation law; if so, (a) how many, and (b) what are the nature and details of their non-compliance.

Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) does not disaggregate legal costs incurred in connection with its overall debt recovery activities.

(2) and (3) The ATO monitors the compliance of the legal profession to determine whether all barristers and solicitors are participating in the tax system as expected. In situations where they fail to do so the ATO takes appropriate corrective action. At any time there are some barristers and solicitors who fall behind with their taxation obligations and the ATO continually pursues outstanding returns, activity statements and outstanding debts.