Ms Karen Payne was appointed Inspector-General of Taxation & Taxation Ombudsman commencing on 6 May 2019 and leads the Taxation Ombudsman complaints management service for taxpayers and advisers and the Inspector-General of Taxation's review and public reporting function, both of which are directed at improving the tax administration system for all taxpayers.

Ms Payne was previously a Member of the Board of Taxation as well as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Taxation. She was formerly a partner with Minter Ellison, specialising in corporate and international tax for mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising for the financial services, mining, energy, and utilities sectors.

Her career includes a broad range of experience (legal, accounting, audit, education, and tax return preparation) across a diverse range of taxpayers (including individuals, trusts, companies, and partnerships).

She brings a wealth of experience and extensive networks to the role of Inspector General having worked with a range of government and private stakeholders as well as the legal and tax profession, and many industry bodies.