I am pleased to announce Ms Jillian Broadbent AO has been re-appointed to the Reserve Bank Board, for a further five year term, from 7 May 2008 to 6 May 2013. Ms Broadbent has been a member of the Reserve Bank Board since 1998, and this will be her third term on the Board.
Ms Broadbent has an extensive background in economics and finance as well as in leadership positions in the corporate sector. Ms Broadbent has also made a significant contribution to the arts and charities, including the Salvation Army and the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Ms Broadbent was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003 for service to economic and financial development in Australia and to the community through administrative support for cultural and charitable groups.
Ms Broadbent's appointment follows consideration of a number of potential candidates from a register maintained by the Secretary to the Treasury and the Governor of the Reserve Bank.
I announced the introduction of a register of candidates from which appointments would be made in the Joint Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy on 6 December 2007.
The register assesses potential Board members for suitability against the selection criteria of personal integrity and contribution to civil society, political independence, leadership and governance, and knowledge of economic and financial matters. The selection criteria remove the potential for political considerations to influence the appointments process, ensuring that only highly qualified candidates of the highest integrity can be appointed to the Board.
Ms Broadbent's extensive credentials against the selection criteria make her an excellent candidate for this Board appointment, and I am confident that she will continue to make an outstanding contribution to the Board's deliberations.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Broadbent on her reappointment.