Fed: Costello says he did the right thing on GST rort claims

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2001
Fed: Costello says he did the right thing on GST rort claims

Treasurer PETER COSTELLO has defended his handling of GST rort allegations in Small
Business Minister IAN MACFARLANE's seat of Groom.

Former Groom Federal Electorate Council treasurer MARGARET WATTS wrote to the treasurer
in February about concerns with the party claiming GST refunds for a fundraiser when it
had not paid GST in the first place.

But Mr COSTELLO says by the time Mrs WATTS wrote to him the matter had been disclosed
to the federal director and rectified, and Mrs WATTS said she wished no reply from him.

Mr COSTELLO's office referred the letter to Mr MACFARLANE, who Labor has accused of
misleading parliament about when and how much he knew of the scheme.

AAP RTV kmh/daw/jas/rp

KEYWORD: TAX COSTELLO (CANBERRA)

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