Tax Counsel’s Report: Setting tax priorities in an uncertain environment

Julie Abdalla FTI

Julie Abdalla, FTI, is the Head of Tax & Legal at The Tax Institute. Julie has practiced in the tax teams of Big 4 and top tier law firms in Sydney and Melbourne, and at an international law firm in London. She has expertise in law and policy across a broad range of taxes and industry sectors. Julie is driven to achieve holistic tax reform, and has the depth of knowledge to advocate for members and the betterment of the tax system. Julie leads the Tax Policy & Advocacy team and has oversight of The Tax Institute’s National Technical and State Taxes Committees comprised of over 150 volunteers. She represents The Tax Institutes in several external forums including the ATO’s National Tax Liaison Group and the Australian Treasury’s Tax Treaty Advisory Panel. Julie provides strategic and technical advice to Government and other stakeholders, and has appeared as an expert witness in several Senate Committee inquiries. Julie has been recognised throughout the profession for her leadership and excellence in tax. She has been awarded a number of scholarships and awards including the International Bar Association Taxes Committee Scholarship, the Australian Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Award in Tax, and a prize from the University of Oxford. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney, and a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, part of which was completed at the University of Oxford. - Current at 12 August 2025