Would-be senator faces tax inquiry The man chosen to replace Barnaby Joyce as a senator for Queensland is among a group of high-profile Australians being queried by the Tax Office over companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Barry O'Sullivan - a wealthy detective-turned-property developer and former Liberal National Party state treasurer - recently received a "please explain" letter from the Tax Office over his offshore company. "We have identified people we believe we should at least be asking questions of, and giving them an opportunity to explain to us in the first instance how and what is going on," Greg Williams, the ATO's deputy commissioner of serious non-compliance, said. Mr O'Sullivan confirmed he had received an inquiry from the ATO about the company but said the entity had never operated after it was set up in 1999. He said he established the offshore company on advice from a Singapore law firm to aid in the worldwide expansion of his business helping people hurt in aircraft accidents. The controversial LNP figure said the company had cost him "an arm and a leg" to set up, but when he returned to Australia, his accountants advised him against having an offshore entity. Mr O'Sullivan said his accountants were preparing documents to comply with the Tax Office's queries. Prominent figures, secret companies, exotic locations: a leaked list of more than 500 Australians gives a startling insight into the tax affairs of the rich and powerful, Linton Besser, Kate McClymont and James Robertson report.