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Tax reform

Dr Ken Henry to tackle the case for tax reform

Published on: 6 Mar 2023

SYDNEY, 6 March 2023: At The Tax Institute’s Financial Services Conference this March, Dr Ken Henry will give the Keynote address, asking and answering the question: Is now the right time for real and genuine tax reform in Australia?

Dr Henry has a long and celebrated history as a vital part of Australia’s tax policy landscape. He was part of the Treasury team that put together Treasurer Paul Keating’s draft White Paper on Tax Reform in 1985, chaired the Howard Government’s tax review taskforce in 1997-98, and chaired the Rudd Government’s landmark tax review in 2010 – known as the Henry Review. From 2001-2011, he also served as the Secretary to the Treasury.

An influential figure in the tax reform space, Dr Heny will consider the significant and ongoing social and structural changes in the Australian economy and the political landscape recently and what they may mean for the possibility and importance of true structural tax reform.

Dr Henry says, ‘Tax reform is back in the news. But what is being discussed doesn’t even scratch the surface of the conversation we should be having. The Australian tax system can’t be fixed through tinkering. It needs an overhaul.’

‘I will be talking to delegates about the need to frame thinking about taxation in terms of our medium-term economic and fiscal circumstances. Those tell us that major change is essential, and urgent.’

Matt Osmond, CTA, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee says, ‘We are thrilled to have Dr Ken Henry share his thoughts at the Conference. Tax reform is a major priority in maintaining economic stability and supporting economic growth, and Dr Henry offers an invaluable perspective.’

‘The Tax Institute’s Financial Services Taxation Conference continues to be the leading conference for financial services taxation professionals in Australia.’

The 2023 Financial Services Taxation Conference program brings together a broad line-up of experts from policymakers, economists, barristers, judges, corporate tax professionals, tax lawyers and accountants.

Find the full Conference program here.

ENDS

 

Appendix A – Dr Ken Henry bio

Dr Ken Henry served as the Secretary to the Treasury from 2001 to 2011. During that time he was an ex officio member of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Board of Taxation. Dr Henry was a member of the small Treasury team that put together Treasurer Paul Keating’s draft White Paper on Tax Reform in 1985. He chaired the Howard Government’s tax review taskforce in 1997-98. He also chaired the landmark tax review commissioned by the Rudd Government, published in 2010. And he led the development of the Gillard Government’s White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. He was the Chair of National Australia Bank from 2015 to 2019 and retired from the Board of ASX Ltd in 2022. Dr Henry is currently Chair of Wildlife Recovery Australia and the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, and is a non-executive director of Accounting for Nature Ltd. Dr Henry is a recipient of the Centenary Medal and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2007

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