The government’s controversial $900 cash handouts may not reach Australians’ pockets before Easter due to a High Court challenge holding up the stimulus package.
Taxation commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said yesterday that the payments could not be made until the High Court made its ruling on the challenge taken up by University of New England law lecturer and barrister Bryan Pape.
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Mr Pape has argued that the payments exceed the federal government’s taxation powers.
“We were hoping to do it from the sixth [of April] if we could, but it will depend upon the High Court decision,” Mr D’Ascenzo said, according to The Australian.
If the High Court were to rule the payments unconstitutional the payments may not make it into the hands of Australians at all.