The Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, Joe Hockey, today announced the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Nosworthy, Mr David Crawford and Mr Robert Fitzgerald as Councillors for the National Competition Council. The appointments are on a part-time basis until 30 November 2000.
"These appointments bring with them extensive experience in legal, commercial and consumer protection issues," the Minister said.
As an inter-jurisdictional body, the States and Territories perform a central role in nominating and endorsing Councillor appointments. These new appointments will ensure their interests are broadly represented at the Council level.
Ms Nosworthy has previously completed a three-year term as a Councillor, and has considerable experience in the legal field as well as fulfilling a diverse range of board positions.
Mr Crawford has held a range of executive positions with Ranger Minerals NL, Wesfarmers Limited and Western Colliers Limited. He is a member of the Western Australian Trade Advisory Body and the Board of Advisors to the Curtin University Graduate School of Management.
Mr Fitzgerald is a solicitor, and is well known for his work with the Australian Council of Social Services. He is an Associate Commissioner for the Productivity Commission National Inquiry into Gambling.
Together with Council President, Mr Graeme Samuel, and Councillor, Dr Paul Moy, the new appointments will ensure the Council is well positioned to continue its strong contribution to National Competition Policy reform.
Background
The National Competition Council was created in November 1995. Its core statutory functions are to advise on access to significant infrastructure services under the Trade Practices Act 1974, and on whether State and Territory government businesses should be subject to prices surveillance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission under the Prices Surveillance Act 1983.
The Council also has a role in providing competition policy advice under the three National Competition Policy Agreements signed by all Australian Governments in April 1995. This includes:
- assessing whether States and Territories have met the conditions necessary to receive National Competition Policy Payments from the Commonwealth;
- advise the Commonwealth where it is considering overriding State or Territory exceptions to the Trade Practices Act; and
- other work on competition policy as agreed by a majority of the Councils stakeholder governments.
The Council consists of a President and up to four Councillors who are qualified by virtue of their knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law, consumer protection or public administration. Members serve on a part-time basis, as required, for up to five years.
In addition to these new appointments, the Council comprises:
President:
Mr Graeme Samuel
Councillors:
Dr Paul Moy
Ms Elizabeth Nosworthy
Mr David Crawford
Mr Robert Fitzgerald