The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has the expertise to effectively regulate tax practitioners and uphold professional and ethical standards.
The Government has made the following reappointments and appointments of part‑time members of the TPB:
- Reappointed Mr Steven Dobson for a one‑year period
- Reappointed Ms Debra Anderson for a two‑year period
- Appointed Ms Joanna Bird, Ms Amanda Gascoigne and Ms Merran Kelsall AO each for a three‑year period
These appointments bring a diverse range of skills and experience to support the TPB’s critical role in maintaining public trust in the tax profession.
Ms Anderson has been a member of the TPB since 18 February 2019. She is an experienced tax agent and former Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent who has operated a tax advisory business for approximately 20 years.
Mr Dobson has been a member of the TPB since 30 March 2022. He works in an associated industry to tax practitioners where he has operated a financial advisory business for over 20 years. He has experience on various Western Australian Government boards.
Ms Bird is an experienced financial services regulator, lawyer and academic. She was a senior executive at ASIC for 10 years. Currently she is a self‑employed consultant providing advice on financial market and services regulation. Ms Bird is also an Adjunct Professor in law at the University of New South Wales and Monash University.
Ms Gascoigne is an experienced tax agent, governance professional, and educator. She founded and operated a regional accounting firm for 18 years, providing tax and advisory services to small businesses. She is also actively involved in mentoring and supporting accountants in professional development.
Ms Kelsall is an experienced governance professional, CEO and academic. She was the Chair and CEO of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board; a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board; a partner at BDO; and Professor of Practice at the University of New South Wales Business School. Currently Ms Kelsall is on various boards.
The TPB is the national body responsible for the registration and regulation of tax practitioners. Its work supports public trust and confidence in the integrity of the tax profession by ensuring that tax agent services are provided to the community in accordance with appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct.