ATO gets tech head from OECD

The government has appointed David Butler as the new second commissioner of the Australian Tax Office to oversee its AU$700 million a year technology budget.

Assistant treasurer Chris Bowen announced the seven-year appointment yesterday.

Butler joins the ATO from his current position at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) as its Head of Tax Administration and Consumption Taxes Division.

Butler has already served the ATO as its first assistant commissioner in the 1990s where he headed up the overhaul of the business taxation system, prior to taking up the position of chief executive and commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department of New Zealand in 2001.

According to a spokesperson for the ATO, Butler will take up his new position in September after completing his posting with the OECD, which is based in Paris.

Butler will take over responsibilities currently being overseen by acting second commissioner and ATO CIO, Bill Gibson, who has stood in for Greg Farr since he left for Defence in October last year.

Butler's role is a tier below Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo, in a rank that is shared with fellow second commissioners Jenny Granger and Bruce Quigly.