CHAIR

Peter de Cure AM, Board Chair
Peter de Cure AM

Peter was first appointed to the Board in July 2017 and reappointed in October 2020. He was appointed as Chair in May 2023 and was Acting Chair immediately prior to his appointment as Chair.

Peter is a professional non-executive director. His experience in tax matters has developed over a 25-year career as a tax partner with KPMG, and as a registered tax agent for 16 years. Peter is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. He is Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service SA & NT, Chair of Wirra Wirra Vineyards, Chair of Accord Property Holdings Pty Ltd and the Accord Property Development Fund, a Director of the South Australian Fire & Emergency Commission, PMB Defence Pty Ltd, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and Variety the Children’s Charity SA. Peter holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide.

BOARD MEMBERS

Debra Anderson - Board member
Debra Anderson

Debra was appointed to the Board in February 2019.

Debra is a registered tax practitioner with extensive experience as a BAS agent and tax agent. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of the Tax Institute. She is also a member of ASIC’s Financial Services and Credit Panel. Debra is a director of Anderson Tax & Consulting and specialises in tax and technology for small business. She has a Master of Business Administration and has worked extensively with the Australian Taxation Office on matters relating to tax practitioners and small business.

 

Joanna Bird - Board member
Joanna Bird

Joanna was appointed to the Board in March 2025.

Joanna is an experienced regulator. During nearly 20 years working at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, she held a broad range of senior roles, including Executive Director – Financial Services and Wealth and Senior Executive Leader – Financial Advice. She has also advised foreign financial services regulators and taught regulation at the University of New South Wales, Monash University and the University of Sydney. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Law Faculty at the University of New South Wales. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, as well as a post-graduate law degree (Hons) from the University of Oxford. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

 

Simone Carton - Board member
Simone Carton

Simone was appointed to the Board in October 2023.

Simone is an experienced CEO, lawyer and non-executive director. She is currently CEO of the ACT Law Society, the peak body for legal practitioners in the ACT, with statutory responsibilities for the licensing and regulation of practitioners. Simone started her career as a specialist tax lawyer with KPMG Sydney and has since worked in a variety of roles across the private, government and non-profit sectors. She has a strong background in regulation, with experience in the legal, advertising and communications sectors. She is currently a director of Asthma Australia and Relationships Australia NSW and has previously served on a number of boards as a director and a company secretary. 

 

Phillip Davies - Board member
Phillip Davies

Phillip was appointed to the Board in October 2023.

Phillip is a lawyer with over 40 years experience both in private and public practice. He began his career as a Solicitor, Senior Associate and then Tax Partner at the international law firm King Wood Mallesons. Phillip has been involved in various professional and disciplinary tribunals across a range of professions over the last 20 years. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Conduct Commission for the Financial Advice Association of Australia. Phillip is also currently the National Ombudsman for the toll roads in Australia. He is also a board director on a number of commercial, international and Victorian State Government entities across various sectors.

 

Steven Dobson - Board member
Steven Dobson

Steve was appointed to the Board in March 2022.

Steve was appointed to the Board in March 2022 and was reappointed in March 2025. Steve is a Director of Dobson Financial Planning, Senate Member of Murdoch University and Chair of Greyhounds WA. Previous governance roles include ten years with the Small Business Development Corporation of WA as Chair and Board Member, Board Member of the Gaming and Wagering Commission of WA, Member of the ASIC Financial Advisers Consultative Panel and other board roles within the not for profit and sporting sectors. Steve is a former WA Police Officer, holding a Bachelor of Business from RMIT, a Master of Business Administration from Murdoch University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

 

Amanda Gascoigne - Board member
Amanda Gascoigne

Amanda was appointed to the Board in March 2025.

Amanda is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with more than 30 years’ experience in the accounting profession. She commenced her career with Coopers and Lybrand Newcastle before they merged with Price Waterhouse to form PricewaterhouseCoopers and then joined a mid-tier firm. Amanda established her own chartered accounting practice, which she successfully led for 18 years. Amanda is the founder of Amanda Gascoigne Consulting. She now consultants to accounting practice owners and leads a vibrant professional community, The Balanced Firm, fostering connection, peer support, and continuous improvement. Amanda serves as Co-Chair of the ATO’s GST Stewardship Group and was formerly Chair of the CA ANZ NSW Public Practice Panel and member of the CA ANZ Trans-Tasman Public Practice Advisory Committee. Her governance experience includes directorships with The Mai-Wel Group and The Maitland Benevolent Society. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle.

 

Merran Kelsall AO - Board member
Merran Kelsall AO

Merran was appointed to the Board in March 2025.

Merran has 20 years of experience in practice as a professional accountant and is an independent director with expertise in finance, audit, risk, and compliance. She has a strong focus on corporate governance and risk management. Her industry experience includes financial and professional services, superannuation, insurance, health, education, and contract management in utilities and major infrastructure projects. She is currently Chair Dementia Australia and London based IFRS Advisory Council and Director of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Medical Indemnity Protection Society and TarraWarra Museum of Art.  She is also a former Professor of Practice in the School of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation at the University of NSW Business School, Chair and CEO of the AUASB, member of IAASB and Chair and President of CPA Australia.

 

Kerrie Sadiq - Board member
Kerrie Sadiq

Kerrie was appointed to the Board in October 2023.

Kerrie is a Professor of Taxation at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She is an experienced academic of more than 30 years, co-editor of Australian Tax Review, and author of numerous leading tax books and publications. Kerrie is the former Chair of The Tax Institute’s Academic Board and has been a member of committees and boards in academic institutions and professional associations. Kerrie holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Laws from QUT, and a PhD from Deakin University. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Member of CPA Australia.

 

CEO Secretary

Michael O'Neill, CEO Secretary
Michael O'Neill

Michael O’Neill commenced the role of CEO Secretary in August 2018.

A taxation lawyer with extensive public service experience, Michael joined the TPB from the Australian Taxation Office where he was Chief Risk Officer, following senior leadership positions in investigations, advice, litigation and law reform. He also has experience in private practice. Michael holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney. 

 

Last modified: 12 August 2025