iscoverThe Tax Institute has added senior lawyer John Ioannou to its national council as its Queensland representative to further the tax reform conversation.
The Tax Institute adds Qld rep to National Council
30 July 2025
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7 minute read
John Ioannou, principal lawyer and head of Macpherson Kelley’s tax team, has been elected to The Tax Institute’s national council following his long involvement and work for the association.
Set to represent Queensland on the council, and before his national councillor role, Ioannou acted as the state councillor for six years and was then the chair of the national engagement committee.
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Ioannou was noted to have over 20 years of legal experience with a focus on tax structuring, commercial advice and transactions, land and payroll tax, as well as applications for rulings, objections and tax disputes for state and federal tax.
The appointment has come at a time when “tax reform is top of the national agenda” and was a strategic move with tax policy set to feature at the upcoming economic reform roundtable in August.
Speaking about his appointment to the national council, Ioannou said tax reform was something that needed to be seriously considered as Australia was “at boiling point”.
“I want to be a voice for my Queensland constituents and an advocate for good policy over politics,” he said.
“Tax policy has been widely discussed in news publications around the country – and for good reason. Having worked so closely with advisers and lawyers who work within the tax system every day, the frustration amongst the community is palpable.”
As part of The Tax Institute’s national council, Ioannou would encompass advocacy on behalf of the Queensland tax community, as well as membership engagement, education, and the statewide implementation of a national agenda.
According to The Tax Institute, it had been outspoken about the need for greater tax reform and recently criticised the government's plan to tax unrealised gains, which was a view that Ioannou “strongly agreed with”.
“As a lawyer, I know that poorly drafted legislation has serious implications for taxpayers and the inevitable tax disputes that will follow,” Ioannou said.
“I’m eager to roll up my sleeves and contribute to the good thinking tax place within The Tax Institute’s policy and advocacy team and offer support for Queensland’s state council.”
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