13. Working group reports (standing item)
Working group reports were provided as document 7 with the agenda papers, sent to members on 31 October 2008.
ATPF Working Groups
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Chairperson
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Accounting Working Group
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Steve Ashley
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Advice Working Group
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Annamaria Carey
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Active Compliance Working Group
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Peter Coakley
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Bookkeeper Advisory Group
|
Rob Walsh
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Change Program Advisory Group
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Craig Fox
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Families Working Group
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Tracey Nicholson
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Lodgment Working Group
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James O'Halloran
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Small Medium Enterprises Working Group
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Greg Williams
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Tax Practitioner Advisory Group
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Annamaria Carey
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Regional Tax Practitioner Forum - North Queensland
|
Chris Barlow
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Regional Tax Practitioner Forum - Melbourne
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James O'Halloran
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Regional Tax Practitioner Forum - Tasmania
|
Peter Holt
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Meeting discussion
The Chair referred to the working group reports.
No comments were made regarding the working group reports.
13.1 ATPF governance report provided to the NTLG
The ATPF presented a governance report at the September 2008 NTLG meeting.
The comprehensive report (attachment 1) was provided in the agenda papers which covered the background of the ATPF, and outlined the roles of the various ATPF sub-committees.
The ATPF Chair, Deputy Commissioner, James O'Halloran, discussed the main points of the report.
Members were advised that a number of the practical issues addressed by the ATPF had resulted in positive outcomes. These issues included the collaboration with Centrelink, standard business reporting, digital certificate migration and debt issues. As a result, Centrelink representatives have gained a better understanding of tax practitioner issues and will be attending the November ATPF meeting. The discussion of debt issues has resulted in significant and useful ways to address issues.
Positive feedback has been received regarding the collaborative working arrangements between the ATPF and its sub-groups.
Members were advised that issues could continue to be referred to the ATPF and where appropriate, consultation with other forums would occur.
NTLG members commented positively on a number of changes associated with the ATPF in the past few years in terms of a wider scope of issues and the approach to addressing issues.
Meeting discussion
There was no further discussion on this item.
13.2 Advice Working Group update
Annamaria Carey, Assistant Commissioner, Practitioner Relationships and Products, provided a report on the Advice Working Group (AdWG).
Highlights from the presentation
The AdWG first meeting was held on 17 July 2006, the last meeting will be held on 1 December 2008.
The working group is a co-design working group providing input into the various design stages of the review of advice project's recommendations.
The AdWG initially met for 18 months, the tenure was extended to 24 months because the working group proved invaluable in providing feedback on the Review of advice recommendations and the need to develop and implement the professional-to-professional model.
The AdWG co-designed a framework that enabled tax practitioners to be self-reliant so that they can obtain the answers to non-complex issues within their practices and the active participation from members, who were instrumental in shaping the design of the products and services delivered.
Through the 2007 annual review process respondents noted that the committee had achieved a lot in a short period of time, especially considering the different practitioner opinions, the issues needing to be addressed and ensuring an outcome is achieved.
'This working group has truly delivered on the ideas and vision of the tax agent representatives' (a quote from a member at the Advice Working Group meeting 17 August 2007).
Feedback from tax agents suggests that the products and services delivered through the advice project's recommendations for example Services Guide, Access to experts, and professional-2-professional have been well received and are useful in building capability.
A copy of the presentation can be obtained by emailing palu@ato.gov.au
Meeting discussion
The Chair acknowledged the great work and achievements produced by the Advice Working Group.
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Last Modified: Tuesday, 9 March 2010