Delia Rickard chose early on to devote her life to making the world a better place.
She retires from the consumer watchdog tomorrow (on Australia Day) having achieved her goal.
Thwarted in her ambitions to be a journalist, Australian consumers should be thankful she found her niche in being their champion.
For the last decade, they have known her as Deputy Chair of the ACCC, particularly for her role in combatting scams.
No-one has done more to educate consumers and business owners about protecting themselves from fraudsters.
In the process, she prevented the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Her role at the ACCC was the culmination of three decades of devoted and dogged service to make the world a safer, better place for Australian consumers.
She began work at the ACCC’s forerunner, the Trade Practices Commission in 1993, along with a long stint in ASIC and a secondment to the Wallis Inquiry.
From product safety to financial literacy and scam prevention, Delia Rickard’s work has lifted standards, raised awareness and sharpened regulations.
She leaves the ACCC with the Albanese government’s best wishes and deepest gratitude.
Catriona Lowe will move into the Deputy Chair role tomorrow.
The government congratulates her and looks forward to continuing working closely with her in her new role.