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A former ATO second commissioner will now lead the tax policy agenda at the Tax Institute as it looks to consolidate its advocacy efforts ahead of an anticipated tax reform push by the government.
Former ATO exec to lead tax policy at peak body
14 May 2020
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2 minute read
The Tax Institute has now announced the appointment of Andrew Mills as its tax policy and technical director.
Mr Mills, who will commence in his new role from 19 May, was most recently a second commissioner at the ATO, where he headed up its law design and practice group. He stepped down from the role at end of the 2019, one year before his term was due to end.
A past president of the Tax Institute, Mr Mills was also a former director with specialist tax advisory firm Greenwoods & Freehills.
He is also currently a member of the Australian Executive Committee of the International Fiscal Association and a member of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute Advisory Board.
Mr Mills’ appointment follows closely after the Tax Institute’s appointment of prominent tax expert Robyn Jacobson as a senior advocate last week.
The Tax Institute’s president, Peter Godber, said Mr Mills’ experience and stature in the profession would help ensure members’ concerns were appropriately addressed.
“High-level advocacy is a great asset for members, and positioning the Tax Institute as the premier tax professional body requires us to actively engage with key regulator and stakeholder bodies within our tax community, with a consistently proactive, targeted and valued voice,” Mr Godber said.
“With a deep understanding of this important role of the Tax Institute, Andrew is the right person to lead our tax policy agenda. He brings widely respected thought leadership to the institute, enabling us to further shape the way we engage with the community on tax policy and tax technical matters. This will cover our engagement with all levels of government, federal Treasury, the Australian Taxation Office and regulatory bodies.
“Our immediate priority remains to address the extraordinary economic challenges our members and their clients are facing right now. We are stronger together, and together we will continue to make a difference.”
Welcoming the appointment, Mr Mills said he was relishing the opportunity to contribute to the Tax Institute’s tax policy and technical areas amid a challenging time for the profession.
“The pressure is on tax practitioners to stay abreast of the rapid shifts and changes to Australia’s legal and regulatory landscape, as the Australian government continues its tax reform efforts,” Mr Mills said.
“The Tax Institute is the premier tax body that will amplify the voice of tax professionals, recommend improvements to the tax system, and lead the charge to help the tax community navigate through these difficult times.”
