Lanai Vasek
From: The Australian
November 09, 2011 11:35AM
Actor Paul Hogan in the office of his lawyer in Sydney, discussing the Australian Tax Office (ATO) investigation. Picture: Renee Nowytarger Source: Herald Sun
ACTOR Paul Hogan says he wants to return to Australia for his son's wedding next month but fears the "bastards" at the Australian Tax Office won't let him leave.
The Crocodile Dundee star, whose been branded a tax cheat by the ATO, said he felt like he was "out on bail" despite not having been charged with anything.
He got a sympathetic hearing from 2GB radio's Alan Jones today, who lamented the treatment of the Aussie "icon" at the hands of the tax man.
Speaking to Jones from his home in Los Angeles this morning Hogan, 72, said the Operation Wickenby investigation against him had "taken over my life".
The ATO last year placed a departure prohibition order on Hogan, which prevented him from leaving Australia after he returned for his 101-year-old mother's funeral.
The actor said he wanted to make sure it didn't happen again.
"Some bureaucrat says I'm a flight risk and it's stupid," he told Jones on the broadcaster's program.
"I have to get permission to come back to the country to attend my son's wedding."
Hogan has been accused by the ATO of failing to declare $37.6 million over several financial years dating back to 1986 and using complex offshore structures to avoid paying tax.
The actor continues to deny the accusation, recently mounting a fresh legal challenge against the ATO.
"They think their investigation has been successful because it will make people think about their tax because 'we've put the fear of God and the ATO into taxpayer'," Hogan said.
"I think that's terribly wrong. You shouldn't be afraid of the bastards. They're public servants."
Jones decried the ATO's relentless pursuit of the star.
"It's worse than stupid. I've got no words and I'm normally quite good with them," he said.
"Everyone out there in listener land knows Paul Hogan inside-out. They love Paul Hogan.
"Here's a man coming back for his son's wedding and he has got to make application to come into his own country.
"I mean where is the government of Australia, why are they not asking (Michael) D'Ascenzo, the tax commissioner, what his justification is for this?"
Hogan is one of the highest profile targets in the ATO's Operation Wickenby probe, involving the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission.
Hogan said the seven-year probe into his tax affairs was "ridiculous".
"I've had no involvement in my tax. Its one of the least important things in my life," he said.
"And way from the word go when I got into entertainment, I've gotten financial advice.
"All this has got my back up and turned my life around."
A spokeswoman for the ATO declined to comment on Hogan’s concerns.
“Legally we are unable to comment on individual tax matters,” the spokeswoman said.
Paul Hogan has lashed out at the Australian Tax Office over Operation Wickenby | The Australian
