Mills takes on the taxing task of reducing red tape
The Board of Taxation has both a project to find ways of cutting red tape and a new acting chair to launch the process.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has instructed the board, an advisory body to the government on tax policy, to review aspects of tax laws and regulations that can be eliminated.
Chalmers’ announcement of the homework he has set for the advisory board comes after both he and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher had told statutory regulators that they had to find ways of cutting back on red tape within their own administrations.
“This is all about reducing the regulatory and compliance burden across the economy to support productivity growth,” Chalmers said.
“As part of the review, the board will consult with businesses and the broader community to identify areas of business tax law and administration where there are opportunities for red tape reduction.
“The board will look for substantial, material and measurable areas of red tape reduction that directly support productivity.”
Chalmers said that lawyer and former tax office heavyweight Andrew Mills will be the new acting chair of the board as it begins the process of identifying areas where the government can make cuts.
“Mr Mills has been a member of the Board since 8 December 2023 and brings more than 40 years’ experience in senior commercial, accounting and legal practice, government and academic roles,” Chalmers said.
“He is currently chair of the Financial Reporting Council, chair of the NSW Independent Planning Commission, and a Principal Fellow of the University of Melbourne Law School.”
Mills takes on the acting chair role from Dr Julianne Jacques KC. Jacques exits the Board of Taxation after serving just over eight years on the advisory body.
“She has been acting Chair since 1 April 2025, and her term as acting chair and as a member ends on 30 September 2025,” Chalmers said.
“She brought significant tax and legal expertise to the Board’s work, including leading the board’s review of digital assets and transactions in Australia and the review of GST on low-value imported goods, as well as contributing to many other reviews and providing real-time advice to the government.”
Board of Taxation: Review
to reduce red tape in tax system
The Government has advised that it has tasked the Board of
Taxation to identify ways to responsibly reduce unnecessary compliance burdens
and red tape in the tax system. It said the review is all about reducing the
regulatory and compliance burden across the economy to support productivity
growth. As part of the review, the Board will consult with businesses and the
broader community to identify areas of business tax law and administration
where there are opportunities for red tape reduction. The Government said the
Board will look for substantial, material and measurable areas of red tape
reduction that directly support productivity.