Another 1405 cases for NSW today. The 5-day moving average has dropped again to 1305, and the Reff has dropped below 1 for the first time since the outbreak started. It is starting to look very peakish.
Jeremy Geale - Twitter 9 September 2021
Looking back and new beginnings
Following the conclusion of a few weeks of long overdue leave, tomorrow marks my last official day at the ATO before joining the Tax Controversy team at Minter Ellison next week.
It has been five and a bit years filled with many great opportunities. Highlights have included leadership of the ATO’s initial response to the Covid pandemic; leading the ATO’s response to Australia’s worst ever natural disaster - the 2019/20 Bushfires; and as the Deputy Commissioner of Review and Dispute Resolution, assisting and guiding the resolution of Australia’s most significant tax disputes. These opportunities, and many others, have challenged me in many ways which I would never have foreseen, allowed me to grow as a leader and tax professional and will ensure, as I move into the next chapter of my career, that I am a better adviser to my clients. I will forever remain grateful for the opportunities that the ATO has provided me.
I also leave the ATO with a much deeper understanding of how fortunate Australia is to be served by approximately twenty thousand dedicated professionals committed to making our tax system and Australia better. Whilst not often spoken about, I have become very aware of the very real sacrifice people across the ATO make every day to serve our country and administer our tax system fairly. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work along side and learn from the very best in their fields, whether it be some of the Australia’s best tax lawyers / litigators; writers and communication gurus; system and IT legends; and customer service specialists. It is these people that I will miss the most and whilst there are too many individuals to list, thank and recognise, it is the teams I leave behind that I want to thank for their support over the last five years.
From one great team to another, I look forward to joining the Tax team at Minter Ellison on Monday to focus on working with clients to manage tax risk and resolve tax controversies and disputes.
It's a boy: little Zavier seals his spot as the first baby of 2012
Mark's move to MinterEllison is part of our deliberate and focused strategy to provide our growing list of local and cross-border clients with access to tax controversy and transfer pricing experts, who know how to work with the ATO and navigate a complex international tax landscape", says Carmen McElwain, Head of Tax Controversy.
National law firm Holding Redlich is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Kinsella as a Tax Controversy Partner in the firm’s Sydney office.
Mark Konza - A tale of two provinces: how coal mining plowed ahead in the B.C. Rockies
COVID-19: ATO Advice and Guidance - Jeremy Geale
Jeremy provided an update on the public advice and guidance that we have released as well as an email address you can contact if you have concerns we have not covered.
We're working shoulder-to-shoulder with businesses and the community - Mark Konza
Mark provided an update on how large public businesses can get in contact if they require help.
Working with larger private businesses impacted by COVID-19 - Tim Dyce
Tim provided an update to large private businesses on where they can go to for more information and who they can contact if they need help.
Holding Redlich attracts leading tax controversy partner from MinterEllison