Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) has expressed support for the Treasurer’s pledge to include tax reform in the discussions at the Productivity Roundtable scheduled for August 2025.

In a speech at the National Press Club, Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasised the role of tax reform in enhancing productivity, which CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen agrees is crucial for addressing sustainability, resilience, and productivity challenges within the economy.

Ainslie van Onselen said: “Tax reform is an important part of boosting productivity – and it’s the right step forward to have it on the table.”

“I’m glad to see the Treasurer acknowledged this in his address today, and we look forward to seeing tax reform firmly on the agenda at the Productivity Roundtable.”

Van Onselen highlighted the current tax system’s over-reliance on personal income tax, which she believes unfairly burdens Australians amid rising living costs and housing pressures.

“We agree, we need to move beyond calling for tax reform, and actually do it,” she stated.

The CEO urged that the Roundtable should explore reforms in areas such as personal income tax, capital gains tax, tax concessions, and GST.

The Treasurer has called for practical and specific ideas that serve the national interest and are either budget neutral or budget positive.

CA ANZ has long championed the need to reduce dependence on income tax and is advocating for a review of tax concessions and the harmonisation of state and federal taxes to improve efficiency and equity.

Modernising tax laws to accommodate the digital and gig economies is also seen as a key area for reform.

Van Onselen added: “We look forward to working with the Treasurer on this important opportunity to improve our tax system and in turn, boost productivity and make the budget more sustainable,”.

Earlier in June 2025, CA ANZ facilitated a meeting with the vice-chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board, focusing on proposed changes to global climate-related disclosure standards.