Taxing times for MP

By Rebecca Fraser
A LOCAL MP has been convicted and fined close to $10,000 for failing to comply with a court order to lodge 12 years of outstanding tax returns.
Narre Warren South Labor MP Dale Wilson appeared in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court Wednesday, 30 August and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Mr Wilson was convicted and fined $9600 and must also pay court costs of just under $450.
The charges related to a failure to lodge tax returns for the financial years ending 30 June, 1994 to 2005.
Mr Wilson was ordered by Magistrate Brian Clifford to lodge the outstanding returns within a reasonable amount of time or face further prosecution, an Australian Tax Office spokeswoman said this week.
The move came as another blow to Mr Wilson who lost pre-selection in March this year to former Mornington Peninsula mayor Judith Graley.
Ms Graley will run against Narre Warren South Liberal candidate Michael Shepherdson in the November election.
Mr Wilson this week said the matter was something that had been very difficult for him and one should avoid such things.
He said a lot of work had been done to complete his outstanding tax returns and they were now in the hands of accountants.
Mr Wilson said he had not given any substantial thought to what he would do after the November elections.