First 'outsider' to run Tax Office

A FORMER policeman who once worked as an adviser to John Howard has been appointed to run the Tax Office, in an unprecedented move to give the top job to someone outside the federal bureaucracy.

By InvestSMART · 13 Nov 2012

By InvestSMART ·
13 Nov 2012

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A FORMER policeman who once worked as an adviser to John Howard has been appointed to run the Tax Office, in an unprecedented move to give the top job to someone outside the federal bureaucracy.

Chris Jordan, a veteran private-sector tax adviser who will become Commissioner of Taxation in January, said he has no immediate plans for a shake-up at the agency.

"There's an opportunity to have a fresh look at things because I am from outside the system," Mr Jordan said yesterday. "I just want to spend a lot of time listening: listening to those people within the Tax Office, listening to stakeholders generally, including business and community organisations.

"I don't have any particular radical ideas or thoughts at this point, but I think it's just a marvellous opportunity to look at things in a slightly different way."

Mr Jordan is the only non civil servant to head the ATO since the first commissioner was appointed in 1910. But after years of acting as an intermediary between business and government on taxation policy, he says he will not be "coming in cold to the position".

Mr Jordan began his working life as a policeman in Sydney in the 1970s, before joining the accounting firm KPMG, where he worked for more than 20 years, until June this year.

He was seconded to advise Mr Howard on taxation when the future prime minister was in Opposition in the 1980s. He has worked in a wide range of advisory roles since then.

Mr Jordan still counts Mr Howard as a personal friend. His handling of complex policy issues has also earned him accolades from the serving Labor government.

This year he chaired the panel tasked with cutting company taxes - which failed to reach an agreement with business - and has chaired the Board of Taxation since June 2011.

"I've had a lot of time in and around policy development and implementation, and in the Board of Taxation, to understand the problems that often arise in the tax system," he said.

The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said: "Mr Jordan brings a broad range of experience, including industry and public policy experience under both Labor and Coalition governments." The Coalition also welcomed Mr Jordan's "much-needed" private sector experience.

In taxation circles, Mr Jordan is known for his impartiality, but this has not prevented him criticising business and government alike.

In June, he was critical of what he thought were simplistic calls for business tax cuts, dressed up as "reform". He also took aim at politicians' failure to consider changing the GST. On Monday he said it would no longer be appropriate to comment on policy issues.

Mr Jordan replaces Michael D'Ascenzo, who announced his retirement last month.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Who is the new Commissioner of Taxation and when does he start?

The new Commissioner of Taxation is Chris Jordan. According to the article, he will become Commissioner in January. Jordan is a veteran private‑sector tax adviser and is the first non‑civil servant to head the Tax Office since the first commissioner was appointed in 1910.

Why is Chris Jordan's appointment to run the Tax Office significant for investors and businesses?

The appointment is notable because Jordan is an outsider to the federal bureaucracy — the only non‑civil servant to lead the ATO since 1910 — and brings extensive private‑sector and policy experience. The article highlights that both the Labor government and the Coalition welcomed his industry and public policy background, which could influence how the ATO engages with business and community stakeholders.

What is Chris Jordan's professional background before leading the ATO?

Chris Jordan started as a policeman in Sydney in the 1970s, then worked at accounting firm KPMG for more than 20 years until June of this year. He also served as an adviser to John Howard when Howard was in Opposition, has chaired the Board of Taxation since June 2011, and led a panel on company tax cuts earlier this year.

Does Chris Jordan plan to make immediate changes or a shake‑up at the Tax Office?

No — the article reports Jordan has no immediate plans for a shake‑up. He said he wants to take a fresh look but will spend a lot of time listening to people within the Tax Office and to stakeholders, and that he isn’t 'coming in cold' to the role.

How have political leaders reacted to Jordan’s appointment as ATO commissioner?

Treasurer Wayne Swan praised Jordan’s broad experience, saying he brings industry and public policy experience under both Labor and Coalition governments. The Coalition also welcomed his 'much‑needed' private sector experience, according to the article.

What has Chris Jordan said publicly about company tax cuts and GST reform?

The article says Jordan has been critical of simplistic calls for business tax cuts framed as 'reform' and has also criticised politicians for failing to consider changing the GST. Earlier this year he chaired a panel tasked with cutting company taxes that failed to reach agreement. He has since said it would no longer be appropriate for him to comment on policy issues in his new role.

Who is Chris Jordan replacing as Commissioner of Taxation?

Chris Jordan is replacing Michael D'Ascenzo, who announced his retirement last month, according to the article.

What should everyday investors take away from this tax commissioner appointment?

The article indicates Jordan brings private‑sector tax experience, a track record of involvement in tax policy discussions (including chairing a failed company tax panel), and a reputation for impartiality while sometimes criticising both business and government. He has said he won't immediately overhaul the ATO and will refrain from public policy commentary as commissioner, so the appointment signals experienced leadership but no immediate change in public tax policy messaging from the ATO.