Outstanding Alumni Awards Previous Recipients Alumni by Year or College 2021 Recipients Mark Jackson

Mr Mark Jackson

2021 College Recipient, College of Business, Law and Governance

Mark Jackson is an outspoken advocate for the power of responsible, sustainable revenue systems to underpin a nation’s prosperity, way of life, social equity, and political stability.

While acknowledging that tax is not the most interesting barbeque conversation, Mark has dedicated his life to innovating, implementing, and administering revenue systems in Australia and round the world.

The son of a Burdekin mill worker and a schoolteacher, Mark grew up in Brandon as a typical north Queensland kid – even cutting cane for pocket money.

Mark enrolled in a Commerce Law degree at JCU to advance his career at the Australian Taxation Office in Townsville. He was among the fledgling institution’s first cohorts, beginning his studies at the original Pimlico campus. He still reflects on how JCU “opened his mind”, not just to new knowledge but new ways of thinking.

In a distinguished career spanning five decades, Mark has worked on some of Australia’s most significant projects including implementation of the GST, transformation of the corporate tax system, and implementation of electronic invoicing.

However, his proudest contribution came as an International Monetary Fund tax adviser, where he contributed to the financial stability and standard of living in a number of developing nations across Asia and the Middle East.

Sadly, Mark lost his beloved wife Sue earlier this year. Since then, he has focussed more closely on his work, cognisant of the legacy he would like to leave to the Australian community. Mark is currently the Commissioner of State Revenue at the Queensland Treasury.

Mark Jackson graduated James Cook University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Commerce and in 1992 with a Master of Commerce. He was awarded the 1982 State Government Insurance Office Prize.