Advocacy
in Australia

Our dedicated National Policy Committee supports the goal of STEP being the leading professional body advocating for trust and estates matters. Key areas of advocacy are informed by the views of our expert members.

Advocacy and Policy Submissions

STEP Australia Submission on the “Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing – Tranche 2 Legislation” to The Treasurer of Australia

20 August 2026

STEP Australia Submission on the “Minimum Tax on Discretionary Trusts Consultation Paper” to The Treasurer of Australia

31 July 2026

STEP Australia Submission on the “Proposed 30% Minimum Tax on Trust Distributions: Impact on Testamentary Trusts and Vulnerable Beneficiaries’” to The Treasurer of Australia

23 June 2026

STEP Australia Letter – Response to Consultation Paper “Preventing perpetrators from accessing victims’ super death benefits”

15 April 2026

STEP Australia Submission on “Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1” to the Australian Tax Office

27 February 2026

STEP Australia Endorsement of Joint Submission made by STEP Western Australia Branch and The Law Society of Western Australia on “Reform in Western Australian Succession and Elder Law” to the Attorney General of Western Australia

17 July 2025

STEP Australia Submission on Issues in Tax Administration for Deceased Estates to The Australian Taxation Office

26 March 2025

STEP Australia Endorsement of BNR Partners Submissions on PCG 2024/D1 and TD 2024/D2 (in relation to the application of section 99B of the ITAA 1936) and Submissions on PCG2024/D1 to The Australian Taxation Office

28 August 2024

STEP Australia Endorsement of the STEP Victoria-Tasmania Submission on ‘Review of Probate Fees– a Death Tax?’ to Victoria State Government

18 July 2024

STEP Australia Submission on ATO Administration of deceased estates to The Australian Taxation Office

18 June 2024

STEP Australia Endorsement of the STEP Western Australia Submission on The Public Trustee to The Attorney General of Western Australia

21 March 2024

STEP Australia Endorsement of Autonomy First Lawyers Submission on Aged Care Bill 2023 to Department of Health and Aged Care

8 March 2024

PRESS RELEASES AND IN THE MEDIA

STEP Australia urges renewed focus on superannuation death benefit planning following Cbus reforms

12 August 2026

Proposed Changes to Taxation of Discretionary Trust

13 May 2026

Who Should draft Wills? Estate Consumer Protection at Risk

18 March 2026

The Accountants Daily Article “Uniform approach critical for resolving interstate EPOA issues” featuring STEP Australia.

19 March 2024

Nine News Perth’s interview with Ian Raspin TEP, Chair of STEP Australia, discussing the controversial topic of the “Nation’s Death Duties Debate” featuring STEP Australia.

19 September 2023

The Australian Financial Review Article “The plan to unmask the owners of 3m companies and trusts in Australia” featuring STEP Australia.

15 February 2023

STEP Practitioners Overwhelmingly Represented in 2021 Doyle’s Guide

16 November 2021

IGTO Briefs STEP Australia on Upcoming Trust and Estate Advocacy Issues and Seeks Input

12 November 2021

New Foreign Investment Reforms May Prevent Australians from Receiving Their Inheritance, Encourage Intestacy, STEP Australia Warns

12 October 2021

STEP Australia Stands for Change to Underdeveloped Tax Law Governing Deceased Estates

9 September 2021

STEP Queensland Presents Extensive Recommendations to Parliamentary Tribunal on Voluntary Assisted Dying

28 July 2021

STEP Australia Highlights Shortcomings of Proposed National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney

9 July 2021

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rein Squires

Chair and WA Representative

JENNIFER SHEEAN TEP

Committee Member and QLD Representative

Peter Bobbin TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

MERCIA CHAPMAN TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Representative

aNGELA RAE TEP

Committee Member and QLD Representative

IAN RASPIN TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Member

CAROLYN SPARKE KC TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Representative

Marianna Danby TEP

Committee Member and SA Representative

Lisa Barca TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

Michelle Johnson TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

Contact Us

For more information on our submissions and press releases within Australia, please contact us via our general enquiries form below.

Advocacy in Australia

Advocacy and Policy Submissions

STEP Australia Submission on the “Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing – Tranche 2 Legislation” to The Treasurer of Australia

STEP Australia Submission on the “Minimum Tax on Discretionary Trusts Consultation Paper” to The Treasurer of Australia

STEP Australia Submission on the “Proposed 30% Minimum Tax on Trust Distributions: Impact on Testamentary Trusts and Vulnerable Beneficiaries’” to The Treasurer of Australia

STEP Australia Letter – Response to Consultation Paper “Preventing perpetrators from accessing victims’ super death benefits”

STEP Australia Submission on “Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1” to the Australian Tax Office

STEP Australia Endorsement of Joint Submission made by STEP Western Australia Branch and The Law Society of Western Australia on “Reform in Western Australian Succession and Elder Law” to the Attorney General of Western Australia

STEP Australia Submission on Issues in Tax Administration for Deceased Estates to The Australian Taxation Office

STEP Australia Endorsement of BNR Partners Submissions on PCG 2024/D1 and TD 2024/D2 (in relation to the application of section 99B of the ITAA 1936) and Submissions on PCG2024/D1 to The Australian Taxation Office

STEP Australia Endorsement of the STEP Victoria-Tasmania Submission on ‘Review of Probate Fees– a Death Tax?’ to Victoria State Government

STEP Australia Submission on ATO Administration of deceased estates to The Australian Taxation Office

STEP Australia Endorsement of the STEP Western Australia Submission on The Public Trustee to The Attorney General of Western Australia

STEP Australia Endorsement of Autonomy First Lawyers Submission on Aged Care Bill 2023 to Department of Health and Aged Care

PRESS RELEASES AND IN THE MEDIA

STEP Australia urges renewed focus on superannuation death benefit planning following Cbus reforms

Proposed Changes to Taxation of Discretionary Trust

Who Should draft Wills? Estate Consumer Protection at Risk

The Accountants Daily Article “Uniform approach critical for resolving interstate EPOA issues” featuring STEP Australia.

Nine News Perth’s interview with Ian Raspin TEP, Chair of STEP Australia, discussing the controversial topic of the “Nation’s Death Duties Debate” featuring STEP Australia.

The Australian Financial Review Article “The plan to unmask the owners of 3m companies and trusts in Australia” featuring STEP Australia.

STEP Practitioners Overwhelmingly Represented in 2021 Doyle’s Guide

IGTO Briefs STEP Australia on Upcoming Trust and Estate Advocacy Issues and Seeks Input

New Foreign Investment Reforms May Prevent Australians from Receiving Their Inheritance, Encourage Intestacy, STEP Australia Warns

STEP Australia Stands for Change to Underdeveloped Tax Law Governing Deceased Estates

STEP Queensland Presents Extensive Recommendations to Parliamentary Tribunal on Voluntary Assisted Dying

STEP Australia Highlights Shortcomings of Proposed National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rein Squires

Chair and WA Representative

JENNIFER SHEEAN TEP

Committee Member and QLD Representative

Peter Bobbin TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

MERCIA CHAPMAN TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Representative

aNGELA RAE TEP

Committee Member and QLD Representative

IAN RASPIN TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Member

CAROLYN SPARKE KC TEP

Committee Member and VIC-TAS Representative

Marianna Danby TEP

Committee Member and SA Representative

Lisa Barca TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

Michelle Johnson TEP

Committee Member and NSW Representative

Contact Us

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Advocacy
in Australia