Today the Government records its sincere thanks to Michael D'Ascenzo AO for his service to the nation as Commissioner of Taxation as he completes his seven year term at the end of this year.
The Government would like to recognise Mr D'Ascenzo for his 35 years of public service and for his leadership in the ATO. Under Mr D'Ascenzo's guidance, the ATO has increased its standing as a leading tax administration and modern public service organisation. He has made a significant contribution to the administration of our country's tax and superannuation systems, regulation and law enforcement and governance internationally.
Mr D'Ascenzo has positioned the ATO for a strong future by driving on-line, service, cultural and technological change, and has put the taxpayer at the heart of the ATO's thinking.
Mr D'Ascenzo has served on the panel of fiscal experts for the International Monetary Fund and has made significant contributions to the work of the Study Group on Asian Tax Administration and Research. From 2008 he has been a vice chair of the OECD's Forum on Tax Administration, promoting global transparency, cooperation and good governance. He has been an active member on a number of Boards for reforms across the APS.
Mr D'Ascenzo was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to public administration, particularly through reform and innovative engagement with the taxation profession and other government agencies. Mr D'Ascenzo's work directed at making the administration of the tax system more efficient, particularly in his focus on the digital economy, has been recognised by the Productivity Commission and he was recently awarded the Institute of Chartered Accountant's Leader of the year for 2012.
The Government is pleased to announce Mr D'Ascenzo will build on his record of public service next year when he becomes a member of the Foreign Investment Review Board.
A new Commissioner of Taxation will be appointed and announced in the coming weeks.