The Royal Australian Mint will produce a circulating commemorative 20 cent coin to mark the Centenary of the Australian Taxation Office in 2010, the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, announced today.
The Tax Office has launched its Centenary celebrations by outlining the course of special events across the year ahead, culminating in the ATO's 100th birthday on 11 November and celebrations on 12 November.
"The Tax Office's establishment in 1910 within Treasury as the Land Tax Office marked a significant development in the fledgling Federation," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"The Office was created by Prime Minister Andrew Fisher's reformist Labor government as a way of funding its important social policies such as the aged and invalid pensions."
"Of course, 11 November has since become Remembrance Day, and in deference to the fallen and to war veterans, the Tax Office will mark its 100th birthday on the following day, 12 November."
"The Mint and Tax Office both fall within my portfolio responsibilities as Assistant Treasurer and it's great to see the two agencies involved together in an event of national significance such as this."
About five million 20 cent pieces will be minted and released in the second half of the year.
On the coin will appear the phrase "Working for all Australians", with the remainder of the final design to be developed in consultation with Mint designers and the Tax Office.