14 November 2018
Mr Robert McKenzie
[FYI request #8892 email]
Dear Mr McKenzie
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
received on Wednesday 17 October 2018. You requested the following:
How many times has a student loan debtor in Australia lost their primary home due
to outstanding student loan debt being pursued in Australian courts and / or through
bankruptcy lodged in NZ from Australia?
The information you have requested is considered tax secret under section 81 of the Tax
Administration Act 1994 (TAA). Accordingly, I am refusing your request under section
18(c)(i) of the Act as making the requested information available would be contrary to the
provisions of a specified enactment, namely Inland Revenue’s secrecy obligation in section
81 of the TAA. Disclosure of the information requested does not fall within any of the
specific exceptions to the secrecy obligation, nor within the general carrying into effect
exception in section 81(1) of the TAA.
Rights of Review
If you disagree with my decision you may have the decision reviewed by an Inland Revenue
review officer. This does not preclude you from subsequently seeking a review by the
Ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the department’s internal review. If you would
like an internal review, please write to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue by email
([email address]) setting out the details of your request.
Alternatively you have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, to ask the Ombudsman to
investigate and review my decision. The office of the Ombudsman can be contacted by
email ([email address]).
Yours sincerely
Kaylynne Bel
Group Lead
Customer and Compliance Services, Individuals