The Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, today announced the consultation details for the Government's election commitment to establish a Tax System Advisory Board (the Board).
On 5 August 2010, the Government announced its intention to establish the Board to advise the Commissioner of Taxation and the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO's) Executive Committee on the general management and organisation of the ATO.
"Establishing the Board forms a key element of the Government's election commitment to reshape the governance of our tax system. The Board will allow the ATO to benefit from a wider range of perspectives and experiences in managing large complex organisations," the Assistant Treasurer said.
In late 2010 the Government formed a panel consisting of David Parker (Treasury's Revenue Group Executive Director), Jennie Granger (ATO Second Commissioner), Richard Warburton (company director and Chair of the Board of Taxation) and Jillian Segal (company director and Deputy Chancellor of the University of New South Wales) to facilitate this consultation. This Consultation Panel will provide advice to the Government about the best way of proceeding with this commitment.
The next stage of this consultation process involves publicly releasing a discussion paper outlining different ways of establishing the Board and seeking submissions from the public. A critical issue will be maintaining the Commissioner's independence to administer the tax laws, whilst providing him with quality, relevant advice on organisational matters.
"The Board will give the community a strong voice in the administration of the tax system to improve its responsiveness, accountability and transparency. I therefore encourage the community to participate in this consultation."
A copy of the discussion paper and information about how to make a submission is available on the Treasury website (www.treasury.gov.au). The closing date for submissions will be 11 March 2011.
The Consultation Panel will consider the submissions and provide its advice to the Government by 30 June 2011.