Australia's Answer to BDS: MBWAI

MBWA? More Business With Apartheid Israel:

"The Turnbull government will introduce a tax treaty between Australia and Israel to improve business relations between the two countries. The treaty is linked to the government's plan to boost innovation in Australia as well as its push to further trade between the two countries as Israel's technology sector booms.

"Treasurer Scott Morrison announced the tax treaty on Friday at the [sic] Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce luncheon. 'The government has now formally commenced negotiations with Israel on a tax treaty that will improve trade and and investment by removing tax barriers for business which I'm hopeful will be concluded in the first half of next year,' he said.

"Speaking after the lunch, Mr Morrison said it was too soon to say whether the treaty would include a taxation information exchange agreement - an agreement that allows authorities in each country to request information relating to specific criminal or civil tax investigation. 'We've just started that process and the government hasn't come to any final view on a lot of these matters so we'll just work that process over the next 12 months,' he said. Mr Morrison also wouldn't be drawn on whether the package would benefit casino magnate James Packer who has recently become a resident of Israel." (Tax treaty talks with Israel promise boost to business relations, Sarah Danckert, Sydney Morning Herald, 17/9/16)