The Treasurer announced today the appointment of two Commissioners to the Productivity Commission.
Dr Neil Byron
Neil Byron has been re-appointed as a Commissioner for a further period of five years. During his current appointment as Commissioner, Dr Byron has had oversight of the Commission's research on environmental issues, as well as serving on a range of public inquiries including the Implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development by Commonwealth Departments and Agencies.
Dr Byron has qualifications in forestry and economics and, prior to his current appointment, held senior UN and academic research positions.
Mr Tony Hinton
Tony Hinton will join the Commission for a five year term following his recent return from his appointment in Paris as Australia's Ambassador to the OECD. Prior to that appointment he held a number of senior positions in Treasury involving international and domestic economic and finance matters, including as the Executive Member of the Foreign Investment Review Board.
Mr Costello said that the appointment of Commissioners Byron and Hinton will help the Commission maintain its important work as the Government's principal advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation.
The Treasurer took the opportunity of these appointments to express his gratitude for the contribution of Commissioner John Cosgrove who will be retiring in May after 38 years of distinguished public service.
Full details of the Commission's composition and activities are available on its website www.pc.gov.au.