Out of 12,706 taxpayers with an income of more than $1 million, 62 paid zero income tax in the 2015-16 financial year, an increase of 30 percent from the previous year.

The data, provided by the Australian Taxation Office, reveal that the majority claimed to have taxable incomes under $6,001. Three claimed between $6,001 and $18,200.

All were below the tax-free threshold, and all avoided the Medicare levy.

Twenty-two reduced their taxable income to zero by claiming an average of $174,201 for the cost of managing their tax affairs. This includes the cost of court appeals, lodging the tax return and getting financial advice.

Fourteen others claimed gifts and donations of $54.9 million, collectively. 

One received $2,500 in a government pension or allowance. Two claimed the cost of purchasing their work uniforms, at $470.

A recent Research Now poll found that two-thirds of Australians want “more public spending on public services and infrastructure, funded by more tax revenue, in particular from wealthy people and profitable companies, and less inequality in Australian society”.

Federal treasurer Scott Morrison, with an annual income of more than $380,000, told ABC reporters that the suggestion was “stupid” and a “numpty of an idea”.