I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Graeme Samuel AO as Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for a five year term from 1 August 2003.
Mr Samuel has been Acting Chairman since 1 July 2003, when Professor Allan Fels AO resigned to become Foundation Dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.
As required by the Trade Practices Act, a majority of States and Territories supported Mr Samuel's appointment.
Mr Samuel's extensive knowledge of and experience in competition law, which includes serving as President of the National Competition Council, clearly makes him highly qualified for the position.
I have recently written to the States and Territories seeking their support for the appointment of Ms Louise Sylvan, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Consumers' Association, as Deputy Chairperson of the ACCC.
I have also recently written to the States and Territories to seek nominations for persons to be considered for appointment as full-time members of the Commission. This follows the resignation of Mr Ross Jones from the ACCC to become the Deputy Chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
Background
Mr Samuel was appointed to the National Competition Council in 1995 and was the NCC's President from 1997 until 30 June 2003. He was formerly a partner of Melbourne law firm Phillips Fox & Masel and an executive director of Macquarie Bank and is a former President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998.
This appointment maintains at 17 the number of persons appointed to the ACCC. The full-time members currently are:
Chairman: Mr Graeme Samuel AO.
Full-time members: Mr Sitesh Bhojani, Mr John Martin, Ms Jennifer McNeill and Mr Ed Willett.