In this special episode of With Interest, CPA Australia CEO Chris Freeland sits down with Australia's Auditor General, Dr Caralee McLiesh, for an exclusive fireside chat on public sector challenges. 

The conversation builds on Dr McLiesh's keynote address on performance management in the Commonwealth public sector, drawing on insights from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) annual report, released in September 2025. 

The discussion took place following a roundtable lunch in Canberra on 5 August 2025, where CPA Australia convened senior public sector leaders to hear Dr McLiesh's keynote before she joined Chris Freeland to expand on the key themes. 

Listen now. 

Speakers: Dr Caralee McLiesh, Auditor-General of Australia and Chris Freeland, CEO, CPA Australia.

You can listen to the keynote speech [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/accounting-issues/assessing-public-sector-performance-management] from the roundtable in full by Australia's [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/accounting-issues/assessing-public-sector-performance-management] https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/accounting-issues/assessing-public-sector-performance-managementAuditor-General, Dr Caralee McLiesh [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/accounting-issues/assessing-public-sector-performance-management].

For more information about the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) head to its website. [https://www.anao.gov.au/] 

And you can learn more about Dr Caralee McLiesh's career from this PMC statement following her announcement as Australia's auditor general in 2024. [https://www.pmc.gov.au/news/statement-secretary-appointment-auditor-general]  

Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts]  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts], providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

With Interest [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest] 

INTHEBLACK [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]  

INTHEBLACK Out Loud [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud] 

Fireside chat with Australia&#x27;s Auditor General

In this special With Interest episode, you can listen in full to a keynote speech by Australia’s Auditor-General, Dr Caralee McLiesh.

The speech focuses on performance management in the Commonwealth public sector, drawing on some of the many findings in the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) annual report, released in September 2025.

The Auditor-General addresses the state of performance management 10 years after the introduction of the Public Governance Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act of 2013. In her speech, she highlights three key areas where the framework's full potential has yet to be realised.

CPA Australia CEO Chris Freeland brought together senior leaders from across the public sector for a roundtable lunch in the nation’s capital on August 5, 2025, where the Auditor-General gave this insightful keynote.

Listen now.

Speaker: Dr Caralee McLiesh, Auditor-General of Australia

For more information about the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) head to its website. [https://www.anao.gov.au/]

And you can learn more about Dr Caralee McLiesh’s career from this PMC statement following her announcement as Australia’s auditor general in 2024. [https://www.pmc.gov.au/news/statement-secretary-appointment-auditor-general]

Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts]

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts], providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

With Interest [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest]

INTHEBLACK [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

INTHEBLACK Out Loud [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud]

Excel Tips [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

Search for them in your podcast platform.

Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

Assessing public sector performance management

How does the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) ensure tax fairness when dealing with large corporations.

In this episode, the Deputy Commissioner, Public Groups, at the ATO explains how the tax office works to promote transparency, accountability and compliance in the large market sector.

This discussion sheds light on how the ATO’s strategic approach supports both corporate confidence and public trust.

Some of the key areas covered include: 

 * Current state of the large business market 

 * The Tax Avoidance Taskforce 

 * Key trends in compliance 

 * Overall relationship between large businesses and the tax system 

 * Dispute resolution 

 * The introduction of public country-by-country reporting 

How the ATO and big business work together

In part two of this With Interest conversation, experts David Bradbury, Paul Tilley, Dale Pinto and Jenny Wong discuss the global tax reform debate, unpacking the challenges and opportunities facing Australia.

Key takeaways include:

 * Why OECD Pillar Two still has a fighting chance
 * The impact of dividend imputation on tax reform
 * Why stamp duty is a critical state-level issue
 * How tariffs vs VAT reflect shifting US tax policy
 * International best practices to boost investor confidence.

From corporate tax rate dilemmas to economic nationalism, this episode explores how geopolitical tensions and tax complexity are reshaping the future of taxation.

The discussion was held at CPA Australia’s inaugural Tax Forum in August 2025.

Listen now.

Hosts: Jenny Wong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-wong-3b3b4a2a/], Tax Lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia and Dale Pinto [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-pinto-60351b20/?originalSubdomain=au], Global President and Chair of CPA Australia

Guests: David Bradbury [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bradbury-aus/], partner at KPMG Australia, former Federal Minister and Assistant Treasurer, former Deputy Director of the OECD's Centre for Tax Policy and Administration

Paul Tilley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-tilley-277b9573/?originalSubdomain=au], former economic advisor to Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and author of Mixed Fortunes: A History of Tax Reform in Australia.

You can find a CPA at our custom portal [https://apbusinesse.tralia.com.au/find-a-cpa/] on the CPA Australia website.

Missed part one? Find it here [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/accounting-issues/australian-tax-reform-and-fiscal-sustainability].

Would you like to listen to more With Interest episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StyJDF6XaEA]

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts], providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

With Interest [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest]

INTHEBLACK [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

INTHEBLACK Out Loud [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud]

Excel Tips [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

Search for them in your podcast platform. 

Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

Tax Forum 2025: Geopolitics and global reform

Australia’s tax system is under pressure.

In part one of this With Interest conversation, Jenny Wong is joined by two of the country’s leading voices in tax policy — David Bradbury and Paul Tilley. Together, they explore the structural flaws in Australia’s tax system, the economic and political barriers to reform and the urgent need for a tax mix shift.

Key takeaways include:

 * Why Australia’s tax system may not be fit for “dangerous times"
 * The single biggest structural flaw in Australia’s tax system today
 * The risks of over-reliance on personal income tax
 * How capital income tax impacts productivity and investment
 * Why Australia has gone 25 years without meaningful change

From capital taxation challenges to the erosion of GST revenue, this conversation offers deep insights into the future of tax reform in Australia.

The discussion was held at CPA Australia’s inaugural Tax Forum in August 2025.

Listen now.

Host: Jenny Wong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-wong-3b3b4a2a/], Tax Lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia

Guests: David Bradbury [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bradbury-aus/], partner at KPMG Australia, former Federal Minister and Assistant Treasurer, former Deputy Director of the OECD's Centre for Tax Policy and Administration

Paul Tilley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-tilley-277b9573/?originalSubdomain=au], former economic advisor to Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and author of Mixed Fortunes: A History of Tax Reform in Australia.

You can find a CPA at our custom portal [https://apbusinesse.tralia.com.au/find-a-cpa/] on the CPA Australia website.

Stay tuned for part two as David Bradbury, Paul Tilley, Dale Pinto and Jenny Wong discuss the global tax reform debate, unpacking the challenges and opportunities facing Australia. Coming soon.

Would you like to listen to more With Interest episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StyJDF6XaEA]

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts], providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

With Interest [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest]

INTHEBLACK [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

INTHEBLACK Out Loud [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud]

Excel Tips [https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack]

Search for them in your podcast platform. 

Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

Tax Forum 2025: Australian tax reform and fiscal sustainability

How can we attract more accountants and future-proof the profession?  

In this episode we take a deep dive with IFAC into this pressing question. You’ll learn about accounting’s talent pipeline – its challenges and possible solutions.   

Key takeaways include:  

 * What’s really driving the talent shortage and how firms, educators and policymakers can respond. 

 * Simple ways to position accounting as a dynamic, valued career choice. 

 * Why reaching future accountants in primary school – and harnessing gamification – sparks lifelong curiosity. 

 * How AI is reshaping (not replacing) accounting jobs, and what skillsets are essential for today’s graduates. 

 * Real-world strategies to build an engaged and future-proofed accounting team. 

If you’re in business or accounting leadership, don’t miss these actionable insights to help understand and elevate the profession’s future. 

Host: Elinor Kasapidis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinor-kasapidis-00852765/], Chief of Policy, Standards and External affairs, CPA Australia 

Guest: Bruce Vivian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-vivian/], Head of Accountancy Education, IFAC 

Attracting accountants: How to future-proof the profession

Want strategic insights to help navigate the tricky landscape of international trade?  

Designed for Australian accountants and business leaders seeking an edge in global trade, this podcast will give you expert-led insights into: 

 * How to assess financial health before entering new markets 

 * Cash flow strategies that support sustainable export growth 

 * Practical tools for managing risks in international trade 

 * Ways government loans and grants can accelerate expansion 

 * Why early lender engagement is key to successful financing 

Our guest is an export expert! Sonia Kammel is the CFO of Export Finance Australia (EFA), the Australian Government's export credit agency, which supports export trade and overseas infrastructure development.  

Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, this episode equips you with the knowledge to help guide businesses and clients to global success. 

Tune in now.  

Host: Gavan Ord, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavan-ord-78b2611a/] Business Investment and International Lead, CPA Australia   

Guest:

Export growth strategies for Australian finance leaders

Unpack and understand Australia's economic reform roundtable, which met in Canberra recently to explore ways of making the economy more productive and resilient.  

This includes what the issues discussed mean for the economy’s future and what accountants and finance leaders need to know about the major tax and productivity challenges ahead.  

Tune in now for a breakdown of this three-day summit, including: 

 * Tax reform and productivity 

 * Long-term growth challenges 

 * Modernising the workforce 

 * Tariffs 

 * AI strategies 

 * Attracting capital 

While there is cautious optimism, this episode explores the broad thrust of the roundtable to understand the key challenges ahead.  

The federal government roundtable, held in August 2025 brought together leaders from the business community, the union movement and society.  

These discussions were informed by nearly 900 submissions from experts, industry leade

Australia’s economic reform roundtable: Key takeaways

As AI becomes embedded across public sector operations, how do you balance innovation with accountability? In this episode, hear expert views on the governance of AI in the public sector.  

Key themes include: 

 * Why defining AI clearly matters for risk management 

 * The need to keep humans in the loop for high-impact decisions 

 * Risks of using public generative AI tools with confidential data 

 * The importance of closed-loop and contextual AI systems in government 

 * How to balance centralised frameworks with agency-specific needs 

 * Building a risk-aware culture vs. enforcing tick-box compliance 

 * 

Public sector AI governance: risks and opportunities

Learn all about the sweeping changes to superannuation which are set to reshape super from July 2025 onward.  

Whether you're a financial adviser, accountant or business owner, this is a must-listen episode if you want to stay informed and prepared.  

You'll gain clear insights into: 

 * The new Division 296 tax, which targets individuals with super balances over $3 million 

 * The superannuation guarantee increasing to 12% 

 * Payday super rules requiring contributions in line with payroll 

 * New parental leave super funded by the government 

 * Changes to the general transfer balance cap and contribution rules 

This episode covers the hot topics of debate in superannuation that accounting and finance professionals need to know to guide clients, adjust payroll systems or plan your own financial strategy. 

Listen now.  

Host: Host: Tahn Sharpe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahn-sharpe/], editor INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia 

Guest: Richard Webb [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardmwebb/?originalSubdomain=au], superannuation lead, CPA Australia 

Links: 

New 2025 super changes: What they mean for you

The CPA Australia Podcast brings you the best in on-demand commentary and thought leadership across a variety of topics related to business, leadership and accounting. Each week, our podcast will help you increase your knowledge of business related topics and point you to some of the world’s best resources in strategy, finance and public practice accounting. Never miss an episode by subscribing today via iTunes.

CPA Podcast Team

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