There’s broad agreement Australia’s tax system is outdated and in need of an overhaul – but the task has been left in the too-hard basket for decades.

Now, Allegra Spender is taking on the thankless political task of firing up the stalled reform bandwagon. For her efforts, the independent MP for the Sydney seat of Wentworth has been named the winner of this year’s McKinnon Prize for emerging political leader.

So why has Spender taken on the toxic politics of tax from the relative powerlessness of the crossbenches?

“Because no one else is doing it,” she said. “I think that is the role of independents and crossbenchers – to say what needs to be said when nobody else is willing to say it, and then to try and build the case for why.”

Soon after being elected in May 2022 Spender launched h

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