NO.033

ACCC APPOINTMENT

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.

MELBOURNE

12 June 2002

Contact: David Alexander

02 6277 7340