CSL and Optus pay millions to executives despite paying no company tax in Australia

Biotech company argues high pay is required to retain and attract world-class' talent

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Some of the nation's biggest companies - including biotechnology giant CSL, telco Optus and oil and gas producer Santos - regularly spend more on bonuses for their chief executives than they pay in company tax in Australia, new analysis shows.

The finding, described as a bit rich" by a tax expert, rubs against an ordinary understanding of bonuses, which would typically rise when an executive helps drive a company's performance. This in turn would lead to a bigger take from the Australian Taxation Office.