After an introduction from the Chancellor, Mr David Gonski, we were delighted to have Professor Judith Freedman from Oxford University present the inaugural Thought Leadership in Taxation lecture as part of the opening of the new School of Taxation & Business Law, within the Australian School of Business.

Professor Freedman provided valuable insights into the way that academics and tax practitioners can add significant value to policy makers in the tax reform process. Judith Freedman is KPMG Professor of Taxation Law, a Fellow of Worcester College and Director of Legal Research at the Oxford University Centre for Business Tax. Professor Freedman spoke to an audience included leading tax academics from other tax schools, such as Professors Cynthia Coleman and Richard Vann, leading members of the tax judiciary, Justice Richard Edmonds, as well as leading tax practitioners Mr John King, who had recently retired from Mallesons, and Mr Mark Friezer of Claytion Utz.

We were also delighted that senior officer from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Ms Jan Farrell and from Australian Treasury, Mr Roger Paul, could attend to continue the longstanding relationship of the school with administrators and policy makers.

Further Thought Leadership Lectures will be held in 2011. Each lecture will feature a national or international leader in the area of Business Law or Taxation. If you would like to receive an invitation to these lectures please email your details to Christine.brooks@unsw.edu.au