The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, today announced a number of appointments to the Productivity Commission.
Mr Mike Woods has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the Commission. Mr Woods has had over ten years experience with the Commission and is currently the presiding Commissioner on the Inquiry into Government Drought Support. Prior to his appointment as a Commissioner, he held a number of senior positions including Secretary to the ACT Treasury. His appointment as Deputy Chair will extend until the end of his current appointment as a Commissioner in 2011.
Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM has been re-appointed as a full-time Commissioner for a period of five years. Mr Fitzgerald has contributed as a Commissioner to a number of major public inquiries and is currently the presiding Commissioner on the Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave. He brings extensive social policy experience to his position as Commissioner.
He was previously the Community and Disability Services Commissioner and Deputy Ombudsman in NSW, and has also been a member of the National Competition Council.
Mr Philip Weickhardt has been reappointed as a part-time Commissioner for a period of five years. Mr Weickhardt is currently the presiding Commissioner on the Inquiry into the Regulatory Burden on the Upstream Petroleum Sector. He has also contributed as a Commissioner to a number of major public inquiries. He has extensive prior business experience, including as CEO and Managing Director of Orica Limited.
Ms Siobhan McKenna has been appointed as a part-time Associate Commissioner for the completion of the Commission's study into the regulatory burden on social and economic infrastructure services. She was the Associate Commissioner assisting with the recently completed study into chemicals and plastics regulation in Australia. Her previous experience as a partner at McKinsey and Company included providing advice to companies on the development of effective regulatory strategies.
These appointments will help the Commission maintain its important work in providing independent and transparent research and advice on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians.