LAWYERS WILL be among those targeted after the federal government allocated an extra $305 million to fighting serious tax fraud and money laundering.

The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) will receive another $18 million, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Department of Public Prosecutions $60 million each, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission $7 million, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) $160 million.

“In recent years, law enforcement agencies like the ACC and the AFP have worked successfully in partnership with the ATO to investigate potential criminal activity behind offshore tax havens and other schemes,” Minister for Justice and Customs Senator Chris Ellison said.

“The dogged pursuit of those involved through the court system is part of the strategy to bring the perpetrators to justice. They will face the full force of the law, including criminal prosecution, punitive action for breaches of the Corporations Act and a range of sanctions such as the confiscation of the proceeds of crime.”