The Government does not want more stringent controls on the accountability of the Inland Revenue Department's treatment of taxpayers, National's Revenue spokesperson Annabel Young said today.

"In Parliament last night the Government blocked the progress of my Private Member's Bill - the Taxpayer's Charter Bill.

"This bill would have forced the IRD to comply with a charter of ethics and behaviour towards taxpayers. Under the bill the IRD had to report to Parliament each year on its compliance with the Taxpayer's Charter.

"Taxpayers will now have to rely on the IRD's voluntary charter. This has been hopeless in the past and I can't see why they would change their attitude now.

"The IRD has had its own Taxpayer's Charter since 1992 but it is largely ignored because there is no statutory mandate. My bill would have forced the IRD to be accountable to Parliament and the people of New Zealand.

"I am disappointed that the Labour/Alliance/Green Government has let party politics stop them from supporting my bill," Ms Young said.

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