Crawford School of Public Policy

The new Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at Crawford School will play an essential role in public debate about tax reform, Assistant Treasurer the Hon David Bradbury said on Thursday at the Institute’s launch.

Mr Bradbury told an audience of public servants, politicians, academics and the public that the Institute would have an important role to play.

“One of the key aims of the Institute will be to participate in the ongoing debate in tax reform,” he said.

“The Tax and Transfer Policy Institute will be an important voice in that debate.”

Mr Bradbury said that with its growing reputation for excellence in public policy research and education, Crawford School was the ideal home for the new Institute.

“Crawford School is uniquely placed to host the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute,” he said.

“It will primarily be a research Institute concerned with building a better understanding of tax and transfer systems. It’ll work collaboratively with other institutions and academics across Australia, the region and the world. Crucially, it will work with policymakers [to bring] its research to bear on the key issues of the day, as well as the longer-term policy challenges.”

The Tax and Transfer Policy Institute was announced in May’s Federal Budget with an initial endowment of $3 million with supporting cash and on-going funding for the University. It will be led by an internationally renowned Chair in Tax Policy, to be secured through a worldwide search, and its operations will be overseen by an Advisory Board to be chaired by Dr Ken Henry.

The formation of the Institute builds on a key recommendation from Dr Henry’s Tax Review to provide a ‘centre of excellence’ to ‘undertake independent policy research’ on taxation matters.

The launch also saw speeches from ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young AO and Crawford School Director Professor Tom Kompas.

Professor Tom Kompas said that the formation and work of the Institute would further build on the relationships between ANU academics and the public service.

“The Institute builds on the already strong relationship between the Australian Public Service and ANU and will look to further strengthen it through policy papers and APS capacity building through Executive Education courses and staff exchanges,” he said.

“Finding sustainable long-term solutions to the significant challenges facing us in tax and transfer policy will require stakeholders from all sectors to work together, share expertise and make big decisions in the public interest. I believe the formation of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute demonstrates that there is an appetite to address those challenges and find answers.”