The Chairperson of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal, Mr Graham McDonald, and Deputy Chairperson, Ms Nicole Cullen, have both been reappointed for a term of two years, the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan announced today.
Senator Coonan said that during Mr McDonald and Ms Cullen's term, the Tribunal has operated successfully and enhanced its already high standing in the superannuation community.
"In particular, the number of cases conciliated by the Tribunal has more than doubled (104 in 1999-00 to 222 in 2001-02) and the proportion of successful resolutions has increased from 48 per cent to 56 per cent over the same period," Senator Coonan said.
Mr McDonald and Ms Cullen have also overseen the successful clearance of a backlog of complaints that resulted from court disruption to the Tribunal's review powers between 1997 and 1999.
In addition, they have sought to actively encourage and assist superannuation funds to provide their members with better complaint resolution services at the ground level in order that more complaints are resolved as they arise.
"I am confident that, under Mr McDonald and Ms Cullen's leadership, the Tribunal will continue to provide consumers with the opportunity to have their superannuation complaints resolved in a fair, economical, impartial and quick manner," Senator Coonan said.