Shorten flags appointment of inaugural chair of independent tax advisory board

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has flagged the appointment of an inaugural chair to a soon-to-be established independent tax advisory board, saying the tax system needs to be better at listening.

Speaking before the final session of the government’s tax forum, Shorten said the ATO is a world leader in tax administration but there’s room for improvement.
 
“The tax system needs to be better at listening, be more transparent,” Shorten said.
 
“It’s our government’s belief that a tax system advisory board can add value to the administration of the tax system and enhance the reputation of the ATO as a world-leading administration.”
 
He flagged the announcement of the inaugural chair and said the government-appointed board would come from a range of different organisations and contain expertise in tax and business.
 
The body would be independent of the ATO, Shorten said.