About Murdoch Partners

Martin Sammut

Martin joined the partnership at Murdoch Partners in 2006, after a role as partner of a large national accounting firm. He has over twenty years experience involving the provision of commercial business, taxation and accounting compliance advice to a diverse range of clients.

Martin’s client exposure has focused on large private groups, small public companies, small to medium closely held enterprises and traditional family businesses. Due to such exposure, Martin has developed core knowledge of the issues and risks facing businesses. He works with clients to encompass taxation strategy as a key component of the process to achieve business objectives.

Martin has played significant roles outside of the firm including positions as Victorian Chairman of the Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand, Chairman of the Professional Practices Panel of the Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand, and committee member of the Small Business Association of Victoria, along with voluntary contributions to various community organisations.

Christine Trotto

Chris joined the firm in 1992. She plays an integral role in the strategic development of her clients. Through her commitment to quality, vast business taxation and superannuation expertise, Chris adds value to clients and their businesses.

Chris has worked with a range of clients from small family owned businesses to large complex group structures. Her breadth of experience enables Chris to tailor strategies to meet the needs of individual clients.

Chris works with a variety of businesses, including medical practices and practitioners, service providers, veterinary practices, property developers and investors.

As a component of providing a business advisory solution for clients, Chris addresses key issues of business management and growth strategies. She specializes in providing advice to clients on succession, retirement and estate planning both prior to and subsequent to retirement. Chris works with clients to develop strategies to build personal wealth, minimise income tax and protect assets as clients move through all phases of their lives.

Darren Smith

Darren joined the firm late in 2009 with over 15 years experience in private practice. He has a passion for and has focused heavily on the needs of high net worth individuals, family groups and owner operated businesses.

Darren works closely with his clients in order to gain a detailed understanding of their financial and business requirements. This approach then allows him to work with his clients and where necessary, specialist advisors, to ensure that relevant strategies and practical solutions are developed for the client with the ultimate goal of building personal wealth.

Darren is passionate about taxation law and has combined this passion with a ten year involvement as a leading facilitator for the Chartered Accountants CA taxation module which forms part of the Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand Post Graduate education program.

Dani Di Blasio

Dani Di Blasio joined Murdoch Partners in 2015 following a long and successful career as a trusted business advisor for privately owned businesses and their owners, with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and MGI Melbourne.

Dani’s client base consists largely of medium to large family and private businesses in the IT, retail, manufacturing, finance, transport, education, medical and property development.

Dani has been involved in several family successions, allowing business owners to successful transition out of their business and realise their personal wealth.

Dani specialises in providing advice to SME’s and their owners, developing strategies to maximise business growth, tax planning, asset protection, wealth creation as well as succession planning.

Providing consulting services in all areas of taxation including capital gains tax (with a particular focus on the Small Business CGT Concessions), structuring of businesses for asset protection and succession planning, restructuring (including the utilisation of tax rollovers), and corporate tax (predominantly Division 7A and tax consolidations).