The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer today announced a number of important appointments to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The appointment of ACCC’s leadership team signals the government’s commitment to strengthening competition in the economy that allows both consumers to benefit and small businesses to flourish.
The Rudd Government intends to recommend to the Governor‑General the re‑appointment of Mr Graeme Samuel AO as ACCC Chairperson for three years, and the appointment of Mr Peter Kell as Deputy Chairperson for five years.
Mr Samuel has provided strong leadership for the ACCC, at a time when its role in promoting competition and advancing the interests of consumers is as important as it ever has been.
Mr Kell is eminently suitable for the role of Deputy Chairperson, with extensive experience in arguing the case for consumers, as both the CEO at CHOICE and Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
In making this announcement, the government pays tribute to the work of the outgoing Deputy Chairperson of the ACCC, Ms Louise Sylvan. She has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically for the rights of Australian consumers, and her service with the ACCC is greatly appreciated.
The government is recommending to the Governor-General that Ms Sylvan be appointed as a commissioner at the Productivity Commission. Ms Sylvan would bring a wealth of experience and expertise to her role at the Productivity Commission.
The reappointment of Mr Samuel and the appointment of Mr Kell have both been endorsed by a majority of the states and territories, which is a requirement of the 1995 intergovernmental Conduct Code Agreement.
The appointments of Mr Samuel, Mr Kell and Ms Sylvan are all subject to the Governor-General’s approval.
The government also announced the appointment by the Governor‑General of Professor Michael Schaper as a second Deputy Chairperson of the ACCC for a term of five years.
With the appointment of Professor Schaper as Deputy Chairperson responsible for small business, the Government has delivered on its commitment to ensure there is a permanent voice for small business on the ACCC.
The Rudd Government has introduced into the Parliament amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 that will enshrine this requirement.
Further details on the appointments are contained in the Annexure to this release.
11 July 2008
Annexure
Appointments to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - Further Details
Graeme Samuel AO - Chair
Mr Samuel has been the Chairperson of the ACCC since August 2003. Prior to that, he was the President of the National Competition Council since 1997. Amongst other things, Mr Samuel was a Partner of Phillips Fox & Masel, the Executive Director of Macquarie Bank Limited, and the co‑founder of Grant Samuel and Associates. Mr Samuel holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a Master’s of Laws from Monash University.
Peter Kell – Deputy Chair
Mr Kell is the Chief Executive Officer of Choice (the Australian Consumers’ Association). Prior to that, Mr Kell had been an Executive Director of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and Consumer Protection and New South Wales Regional ASIC Commissioner since 1998. Mr Kell has also been a Senior Policy Advisor in financial services and economics at Choice, and an associate lecturer in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sydney. Mr Kell holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Economics at the University of Sydney, and a Company Directors Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael Schaper – Deputy Chair
Professor Schaper is currently the Dean of the Murdoch University Business School in Western Australia. Amongst other things, he was the Small Business Commissioner of the Australian Capital Territory and holds a Ph.D. in Management, a Masters of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts.
All appointments to the ACCC are progressed in accordance with the requirements of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Conduct Code Agreement, which require consultation with, and approval of, the states and territories. In addition, the government was satisfied that the appointments met the requirements of the new merits based appointments process. The new merits based process does not apply to re‑appointments and in the case of Mr Kell he has held similar office previously and met the criteria as an outstanding candidate for the position. The process for the appointment of Mr Schaper began before the government’s new guidelines were introduced.