iscoverThe Tax Institute has revealed the strategic appointment of John Storey as its new tax counsel, while also seeing the exit of senior advocate Robyn Jacobson.
Robyn Jacobson bids farewell to The Tax Institute
22 September 2025
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9 minute read
After five years, Robyn Jacobson will be stepping away from her role as senior advocate at The Tax Institute to pursue her passion for tax advocacy in a new role elsewhere.
The Tax Institute noted it was saddened to see Jacobson go, yet was grateful for her knowledge and passion within the space for its team and members.
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Julie Abdalla, the institute's head of tax and legal, expressed the Institute’s best wishes for Jacobson’s next chapter in her career.
“Robyn joined The Tax Institute as Senior Advocate in 2020 with the aim to guide members through the shifting landscape of COVID-19 stimulus measures. We thank her for seeing our members through a highly uncertain period for tax practitioners and for her efforts in the years since,” she said.
“The Tax Institute is built by and for members, but we support and serve the interests of the entire tax community. We trust that Robyn’s insight and skill will continue to be put to good use in service of the tax community in the next chapter of her career.”
“Robyn has been a member of The Tax Institute for 20 years and we look forward to her continued active engagement as part of our member community. We wish Robyn all the best and thank her wholeheartedly for the work she has done supporting our members.”
With this announcement, the Institute revealed it had appointed tax lawyer, business leader and public policy influencer, John Storey, as its new tax counsel.
The appointment was made in a move for the Institute to build the expertise of its tax policy and advocacy team, which represented the voice of members, advocated for reform of the tax system and consulted with government and regulators of tax technical policy matters.
According to the Institute, Storey had practised as a tax lawyer for two decades and has held past roles as partner at national law firm, Mills Oakley, and a managing director role at Velocity Legal.
He was also a tax trainer, podcast host, TV and radio commentator and public speaker, as well as having extensive public policy advocacy experience.
Scott Treatt, chief executive of The Tax Institute, said this varied career history gave Storey a unique insight into the challenges and issues that faced the tax profession.
“We’re delighted to have John on board. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that I’m confident will serve our members – and the wider tax community – well.”
Speaking about his appointment, Storey said he was committed to advancing the interests of The Tax Institute’s members and helping them in the impactful work they did for the Australian community.
“The Tax Institute’s community is a wonderful group of dedicated tax practitioners. I was able to attend The Tax Summit this year and see firsthand just how intelligent and proactive this community is. I’m excited to represent our members and to help drive the change they’re looking for in the tax system,” he said.
“I’m also excited by the calibre of tax resources produced by the tax policy and advocacy team at the Institute. These high-quality resources are incredibly valuable for tax practitioners, and I’m looking forward to contributing to them and supporting members in their practice.”
Abdalla said the Institute was looking forward to working with Storey and leaning on his experience in advising governments and policy makers on some of the most important challenges facing Australia, including comprehensive tax reform and legal matters such as free speech, human rights, and constitutional matters.
“John’s public policy experience is a real asset to our work in representing the voice of tax practitioners. Uncertainty and a complex tax system mean that proactive and meaningful advocacy has never been more vital for our community and I’m looking forward to John’s impact in this space.”
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