Adele FergusonInvestigative Journalist
InvestigationMongrel Bunch of Bastards
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Journalism/Investigation
InvestigationThe Age / Sydney Morning Herald & ABC Four Corners·9 Apr 2018

Mongrel Bunch of Bastards

Taking on the extraordinary powers of the Australian Taxation Office

The Australia Taxation Office is a formidable enforcer with extraordinary powers. It can raid your home or business without a warrant, it can compel you to answer questions and treat you as guilty until proven innocent.

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Mongrel bunch of bastards — Adele Ferguson investigation into the extraordinary powers of the Australian Taxation Office

The Age / Sydney Morning Herald & ABC Four Corners

Investigation · 9 Apr 2018

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Read the full investigation — Sydney Morning HeraldWatch on ABC 7.30
The Investigation

The Australia Taxation Office is a formidable enforcer with extraordinary powers. It can raid your home or business without a warrant, it can compel you to answer questions and treat you as guilty until proven innocent.

"You might say that murderers have more rights than tax payers." — Tax barrister.

In a major joint Four Corners/Fairfax investigation, reporter Adele Ferguson puts the actions of the Tax Office under the microscope, examining how it uses its extensive powers. It examines whether the ATO is playing by the rules and acting fairly and ethically.

"There's an agenda that's going on in there, and the Australian public know nothing about it." — Business operator.

'Dealing with the ATO, I've never come across such a mongrel bunch of bastards in my entire life.' The investigation revealed an agency that could raid homes without warrants, compel answers, and treat taxpayers as guilty until proven innocent.

"Dealing with the ATO, I've never come across such a mongrel bunch of bastards in my entire life." — Business operator.

The investigation drew on interviews with small business owners, tax barristers, former ATO officers, and whistleblowers who described a culture within the agency that prioritised revenue collection over fair treatment — and that targeted small businesses and individuals rather than the large multinationals that were avoiding billions in tax.

No warrantRequired for ATO home raids
2018Year of investigation
BillionsIn tax avoided by multinationals
Impact
  • Exposed the extraordinary and largely unchecked powers of the Australian Taxation Office
  • Brought the stories of small businesses targeted by the ATO to national attention
  • Contributed to calls for stronger oversight of the ATO's enforcement activities
  • Raised questions about whether the ATO was targeting small businesses over large multinationals
  • Part of broader reporting on the need for accountability in government agencies
Details

Published

9 Apr 2018

Outlet

The Age / Sydney Morning Herald & ABC Four Corners

Reporter

Adele Ferguson

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Investigation Timeline

Taking on the Tax Office

Early 2018

Investigation begins

Adele Ferguson begins investigating the ATO's use of its extraordinary powers, drawing on interviews with small business owners and former ATO officers.

9 Apr 2018Key Event

Four Corners broadcast

The joint Four Corners/Fairfax investigation airs, examining whether the ATO is playing by the rules and acting fairly and ethically.

2018–19

Banking Royal Commission

The investigation contributes to the broader scrutiny of government agency powers during the Banking Royal Commission era.

2019Key Event

ATO whistleblower prosecuted

Richard Boyle, an ATO whistleblower who spoke to Ferguson, faces criminal prosecution — prompting further reporting on whistleblower protections.

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