Michael D’Ascenzo AO has been recognised internationally for his leadership and expertise in taxation, administration, governance and policy. Michael was Commissioner of Taxation from January 2006 to December 2012, where he championed values that put taxpayers and the community at the centre of ATO thinking. He has been called “The People’s Commissioner” because of his empathy for taxpayers and staff.

 In January 2010, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to public administration, and in 2012 he received the Chartered Accountants’ Federal Government Leader of the Year Award.

Michael has been a member of the Foreign Investment Review Board, a non-executive director of Australia Post and a member of the Clean Energy Regulator. In addition, Michael has been active in assisting the modernisation of fiscal systems and tax administrations internationally, bringing his expertise to bear in assisting global fiscal stability.

Michael is an adjunct professor at UNSW and has been  a professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne. Michael is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; Fellow and Life Member of Certified Practising Accountants; a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand; and a Fellow of the Australian Risk Policy Institute.

Michael has been a strong supporter of ATTA from the early days of the Association. During his time at the ATO as Chief Tax Counsel, Second Commissioner and Commissioner Michael was a regular attendee and presenter at ATTA’s conferences and published numerous articles in its Journal. He has continued to support ATTA over the last decade since retired from the ATO. In recognition of his contribution to ATTA and to the tax system, Michael was awarded the Graham Hill Medal in 2008; the Patron’s Award in 2013, and made a Life Member in 2018.

Michael is humbled and honoured by the faith shown in him by ATTA in appointing him the Association’s new Patron, particularly having regard to the distinguished Patrons that have preceded him.

Michael believes that academia can be an ethical influencer on tax practitioners, both those in their formative stage and those in current practice.  Michael also believes that there is scope for tax research to be a more significant contributor to the tax policy agenda, and to the pursuit of excellence in tax administration.