Dirk Fielding says his business would have collapsed without Richard Boyle's help. He says the whistleblower's prosecution is 'insanity'

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One of the taxpayers helped by ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle has spoken out for the first time, describing the prosecution of the person who gave him a lifeline as 'insanity'. Mr Boyle's wife has also spoken to 7.30 about the toll the six-year-long ordeal has taken on the couple.

Instead of responding to the request he called the ATO and asked for Mr Boyle.

"I feel absolutely terrible for Richard who's put his life on the line to help me … and he's been persecuted to such an extent. It's just insanity."Mr Boyle was vindicated in a series of inquiries and reports, including a report by the ATO watchdog, the Inspector-General of Taxation, which found "problems did arise in certain localised situations for a limited period, particularly so at Adelaide's local ATO site".

"If Richard Boyle goes to jail for exposing wrongdoing, that will have a real chilling effect on whistleblowers everywhere. People won't speak up about wrongdoing. People already aren't speaking up about wrongdoing because this is what they see.'We've had to put our life on hold'Mr Dreyfus has the power under section 71B of the Judiciary Act to stop prosecutions that are not in the public interest.

In her letter to the prime minister and the attorney-general, Ms Beaston said their lives were shattered when the federal police and tax office raided their home in 2018."Every day we wake up and wonder when this nightmare will end. You have the power to stop this injustice." The spokesperson said as Mr Boyle's proceedings remained ongoing, it was inappropriate to comment further.

 

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