The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit comprises Members of Parliament and Senators drawn from the Government, Opposition and cross-benches. This parliamentary committee exists to hold Commonwealth agencies to account for the lawfulness, efficiency and effectiveness with which they use public monies.

The Committee holds annual hearings with the Commissioner of Taxation and this year's is to be held in Canberra on Friday 14 September. The Tax Institute will also present evidence to the committee hearing as one of only a handful of professional bodies who have been invited to appear. Tax Counsel Stephanie Caredes CTA will join me in appearing before the committee.

We will discuss key issues of concern with regard to the ATO's performance, including suggestions for improvement, whilst acknowledging some areas that have indeed been improved. The questions from committee members will also allow us to discuss broader issues such as the future direction of tax administration in Australia.

If you are keen to watch, the Committee's proceedings will be broadcast live via the Parliament's website and the proceedings will be recorded in Hansard for reference after the event.

Robert Jeremenko

Robert Jeremenko CTA is Senior Tax Counsel of The Tax Institute.

The Tax Institute is Australia’s leading professional association in tax. Its 13,000 members include tax agents, accountants and lawyers as well as tax practitioners in corporations, government and academia.