The word ‘scrutiny’ can bring up negative connotations. But in fact, scrutiny is positive, healthy, important, and a great way for organisations to constantly improve.
~ Chris Jordan AO - February 2024
Although I do approach this speech with some trepidation as the last time I spoke here 7 years ago, I was sued for defamation. But I can't tell you what happened with that as the lawyers said to simply refer you to Justice White's judgment in the Federal Court.
And I was going to do a humorous line here about some of the other challenges I’ve faced in my 11 years as Tax Commissioner – the death threats, defending allegations of contempt of the Senate to avoid jail time, Paul Hogan calling me a ‘boofhead’. That sort of thing.
But apparently even that can be considered too forthright for a Tax Commissioner. Imagine. Sued for defamation for giving away too much information and censured by the Senate for not giving enough.
It’s a constant balancing act, but as my partner, a journalist, often reminds me – you’re the Tax Commissioner, what do you expect? Well, none of us knew what to expect when I took this job in 2013.
I was the first ‘outsider’ to ever run the Tax Office. It was considered quite ‘radical’ when former Treasurer Wayne Swan appointed me – not just because, as he said, who better to run the Tax Office than a 6-foot 6 ex-copper? I think it was the fact I was not a career public servant, I lived and stayed based outside the ‘Canberra bubble’, that allowed me to radically transform and modernise the ATO over the past decade.
Speech Text: Commissioner's address to the National Press Club 2024 Transformation, trust, and tax: The Commissioner’s story.
Australia's tax commissioner Chris Jordan AO at the National Press Club | Video ABC News
Working for all Australians? 1910-2010: a brief history of the Australian Taxation Office.
(NSW PAC 90)
A scandal-ridden finale for ATO boss Chris Jordan
ASIC polices only a ‘sliver’ of big four firm activities
Outgoing ATO boss calls for greater tax office powers
Chris Jordan, the tall tower, kept poker face many times and ran a good race at ATO. But it turns out this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Transforming the ATO: Chris Jordan's 11-Year Legacy as Tax Commissioner
As the curtain falls on Chris Jordan's chapter at the ATO, his legacy serves as a testament to the power of strong leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to public service. The ATO's journey under Jordan's guidance is a story of evolution, adaptation, and ultimately, progress.
The outgoing head of the Australian Taxation Office, Chris Jordan, says the agency needs police-like powers so it can chase down tax criminals amid a surge in illegal activity including the creation of 30,000 superannuation accounts by bots started on the dark web.
Jordan, in his final public address before retiring after 11 years heading the ATO, also revealed on Wednesday that the Tax Office had discovered “trickery” within the self-managed superannuation sector with more than $600 million illegally accessed from funds.
We need our own tax cops to chase cheats: ATO chief
