I have agreed with the Federal Treasurer that for personal reasons my term as Chair of the Board of Taxation will conclude on 31 March 2025.
I have served as a Member of the Board of Taxation from 1 January 2018 and subsequently as Chair from 26 March 2020.
I would like to thank Dr Jim Chalmers, Federal Treasurer and the previous Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg for the privilege and honour of being appointed Chair of the Board.
The work of the Board is paramount to improving the design of Australia’s taxation laws and their operation. I am enormously proud of the work that has been undertaken during my tenure with the Board. During that tenure, as a Board Member and as Chair, the Board has delivered the following Reports to Government:
- Review of the Tax Treatment of Digital Assets and Transactions in Australia, 2024
- Review of CGT Rollovers, 2022
- Review of GST on low value imported goods, 2021
- R&DTI – Review of the dual agency model, 2021
- Corporate Tax Residency Review, 2020
- Review of Granny Flat Arrangements, 2020
- Reforming Individual Tax Residency Rules – A Model for Modernisation, 2019
- Review of Small Business Tax Concessions, 2019
- Review of Fringe Benefits Tax Compliance Costs, 2019
- Post-implementation Review of the Voluntary Tax Transparency Code, 2019
- Greater alignment between tax and accounting systems in Australia, 2018
- Reforming the Income Tax Residency Rules for Individuals, 2018.
The Board’s purpose is unique. It provides a business and broader community stakeholder perspective to the Treasurer on the operation and design of the taxation system. We do this through our stakeholder engagement and leveraging our own expertise and that of the Secretariat. Put simply, the Board relies heavily on our stakeholder engagement whether that is through formal consultation, working groups and stakeholder meetings. Thank you to all our stakeholders who have contributed in such an important manner over the past 7 years.
I would also like to acknowledge the work and support of all my fellow Board Members during my tenure. I have had the pleasure of serving with private sector members who have brought deep experience of the operation and impact of the taxation system and their passion for making the system efficient, effective and equitable. I thank them for their work, especially on our reports and for their support and dedication.
One of the strengths of the Board is that our work is greatly enhanced through our current and former ex-officio members, and their delegates, who represent the Treasury, the Australian Taxation Office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The current members are:
- Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary to the Treasury
- Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation
- Meredith Leigh, First Parliamentary Counsel.
I have valued their advice and support and importantly recognise their public service to the people of Australia. I also acknowledge the work and support of their teams who have participated in working groups and provided insights to our reports.
The Board’s work is importantly enabled by our Secretariat, and I acknowledge the commitment and achievements of all the current and former members of the Secretariat. Without them, we could not have produced the numerous reports and advice to government.
I am confident that the Board is well positioned to continue its important work into the future. It is with this confidence that I can conclude my term as Chair and as they say “hand over the reins”.
Rosheen Garnon