Taxation, Finance and Corporate Affairs
Taxation, Finance and Corporate Affairs
Senator Andrew Murray has been the national spokesperson for taxation, finance and corporate issues for the Australian Democrats since 1996. He has also been a member of the key parliamentary committees covering these portfolios since 1996. He has played an influential role in the development of federal law in these portfolios. His influence was at a peak when the Democrats held the balance of power, until the Coalition took control of the Senate from July 2005.
Given his background, parliamentary committee memberships and portfolio responsibilities it is not surprising that Senator Murray has been so prominent in taxation, finance and corporate law reform. Committee Hansards and Reports, and the Senate Hansard illustrate a very active and informed influence that has often been pivotal to negotiated tax and finance legislation outcomes (speeches available here). He is regularly referred to by the media for comment in this area.
His most notable contributions have been in the area of reform of tax and business tax, reform of the financial system, trade practices reform, and reform of corporations law. The Australian tax system has been changed forever as a result of the work he and his Party did to ensure its modernisation (click here for more information)
When the Labor Party refused to support the Coalition Government's massive 'New Tax System' reform package, the principal negotiators for its amendment and passage were Senators Lees and Murray, and (then adviser, later Senator) John Cherry. (Senators Allison and Woodley rounded out the negotiating team on related non-tax areas such as on environmental and charity issues). The political and policy debate was fiercely controversial and lengthy, but the outcome has permanently delivered the certainty, security, growth and modernity of our tax and business tax systems. Nevertheless, there is always much more to do.
Senator Murray has been a particularly effective advocate for fairer tax laws, especially for small business and individuals. His achievements include the raising of the threshold for access to GST cash accounting, more generous treatment of the R&D tax concession and a fairer Tax Office deal on tax effective investment schemes.
Senator Murray is a prominent advocate for the improvement of corporate governance. He has been a strong voice for the democratisation of companies to ensure genuine accountability to shareholders. He has argued against excessive executive remuneration. He has campaigned to force companies to disclose executive payments and to give shareholders the right to vote against redundancy payments.
Senator Murray has also worked to support the activities of charitable and not-for-profit organisations that work towards the common good of the community.
Taxation, Finance and Corporate Affairs Documents
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