The Treasurer today announced the appointment of Ms Jennifer McNeill as a full-time member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a five year term beginning 22 July 2002. This appointment has the support of all States and Territories.
Ms McNeill is a partner with the law firm Blake Dawson Waldron and is experienced in intellectual property and banking and finance law, specialising in litigation. Ms McNeill also has experience in trade practices matters involving consumer protection issues.
Ms McNeill is a New South Wales Law Society Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation and an accredited Mediator. It is expected that Ms McNeill's role with the ACCC enforcement program will build upon her extensive previous experience in the litigation arena.
From the commencement of Ms McNeill's term the number of full-time members serving the ACCC will be brought to five. Ms McNeill's extensive and varied legal experience will be a valuable addition to the ACCC.
I would also like to express the Government's appreciation to the two Commissioners whose terms are ending. Mr Rod Shogren finished his term as a Commissioner on 29 April 2002, while Dr David Cousins' term is set to finish on 14 June 2002. Neither Commissioner has sought reappointment.
Both Mr Shogren and Dr Cousins have made important contributions to the work of the ACCC. Mr Shogren was appointed as a full-time member of the ACCC in May 1997. Since that time Mr Shogren has contributed to a number of initiatives at the ACCC, including playing an important role in relation to regulatory arrangements for competition and economic regulation of telecommunications.
Dr Cousins served with distinction the ACCC, its predecessor the Trade Practices Commission and the Prices Surveillance Authority over a thirteen year period. In recent times Dr Cousins has played a significant role in the ACCC's transitional pricing oversight as Commissioner with special responsibility for the GST.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Cousins and Mr Shogren on their exemplary service, and wish them well in their chosen future undertakings.