Whistleblower Richard Boyle feared ATO tactics would cause ‘suicide in community’, court hears

Richard Boyle told South Australia’s district court that ATO employees were pressured to bypass normal negotiations with taxpayers. Photograph: Kelly Barnes/AAP

The whistleblower Richard Boyle has told a court of his fears that the actions of the Australian Taxation Office would lead to “suicide and death in the community”.

Taking the stand in a hearing seen as a critical first test of whistleblower laws, Boyle alleged ATO employees were put under pressure to bypass normal negotiations with taxpayers who owed money and move quickly towards more aggressive tactics.