Paul Hogan: 'I can't pay back taxes'

Crocodile Dundee actor Paul Hogan has claimed that he cannot afford to pay even 10% of the back taxes that he reportedly owes to the Australian government.

Hogan told A Current Affair that he views his case to be a witch-hunt by the tax office to make an example out of a celebrity, but asserted that he is doing everything possible to clear his name.

"I actually came out here at the request of the Australian Crime Commission at my own time and expense to assist them with their inquires," the star said.

The actor further explained: "If I was a tax evader, which I'm not, I must be the dumbest one in the world, because they gave me five years' notice that they have seized every piece of paper that my tax advisers and lawyers and accountants have ever had."

The movie star owes taxes on more than $34m (£22m) of allegedly undisclosed income.

Hogan stated that he is not as wealthy as some in the media have speculated and thus cannot afford to pay the bill.

He added: "I can't pay 10% of what they're asking… I know they're absolutely desperate to nail some high-profile character with money to justify the expense to the taxpayer."

It was previously reported that the Australian government have banned the actor from leaving the country until the dispute is resolved.