The Albanese Government has appointed Ms Ruth Owen CBE as the Inspector‑General of Taxation (IGT) for a five‑year period commencing on 15 July 2024.
Ms Owen brings a wealth of experience in tax, public sector reform, complaints management and dispute resolution, having spent more than 30 years in various senior leadership positions across the public sector in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK).
Ms Owen has previously been a Director General and Tax Commissioner of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the UK, Head of Profession in the UK Civil Service and Deputy Secretary of the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education. She is currently Deputy Secretary of the NSW Premier’s Department, leading the Strategic Implementation Group.
Ms Owen’s extensive experience will strengthen the important role the Office of the Inspector‑General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) plays in providing independent oversight and investigation of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Tax Practitioners Board’s (TPB) administrative practices.
Ms Owen’s appointment also continues the Government’s strong record of appointing high‑performing women for senior public sector roles.
The Government would also like to thank the outgoing IGT, Ms Karen Payne, for her service and contribution leading the IGTO over the past five years.
Ms Payne ensured the ATO and TPB’s administrative actions were held to account and as a result, has improved the overall administration of the tax and superannuation systems for the benefit of the Australian community.
