NO.002

ACCC APPOINTMENTS

Today I am announcing the appointment of one Commissioner and the re-appointment

of four Associate Commissioners to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(ACCC).

Mr Ed Willett, of Melbourne, has been appointed as a Commissioner of the ACCC

for a five year term from 20 January 2003. Mr Willett has resigned his

position as Executive Director of the National Competition Council to take up

the ACCC appointment on a full-time basis.

Ms Teresa Handicott of Brisbane, Mr Don Watt of Perth and Mr Warwick

Wilkinson AM of Sydney and Mr Andrew Reeves of Hobart have been re-appointed

as ACCC associate members. Associate members serve on a part-time basis. Ms

Handicott, Mr Watt and Mr  Wilkinson have been re-appointed until 1 September

2005. Mr Reeves has been appointed until 31 December 2004.

The ACCC appointments were made after consultations with the States and Territories

and only after majority support for their appointments had been obtained.

Background

Mr Willett has been Executive Director of the NCC in Melbourne since

1995. Mr Willett previously served as an Assistant Commissioner with the Industry

Commission, in a public sector career which has included positions in the Department

of Industry Science and Technology, the Department of Defence and the New Zealand

Ministry of External Relations and Trade.

Ms Handicott of Brisbane, is a partner with the national law firm of

Corrs Chambers Westgarth. She is also a member of the Commonwealth’s Takeovers

Panel and has held associate member appointments to the ACCC since its creation

in 1995.

Mr Watt of Perth, is a barrister and company director. Until recently,

he chaired the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. He was initially appointed

as an associate member of the ACCC in 1995.

Mr Wilkinson of Sydney, recently chaired a committee of inquiry to report

to the Government on the application of Part IV of the Trade Practices Act to

rural and regional medical practitioners. He was initially appointed as

an associate member of the ACCC in 1995.

Mr Reeves of Hobart, is the Commissioner of the Tasmanian Government

Prices Oversight Commission and was nominated by the Tasmanian Government under

cross membership arrangements with the States and Territories. His term of appointment

has been set to expire simultaneously with his Tasmanian appointment. Associate

members undertake tasks as specified by the Chairman. Mr Reeves has previously

served on the Commission’s Energy Committee with independent regulators from

other States and Territories.

Following these appointments, the Commission consists of:

MELBOURNE

30 January 2003

Contact: Niki Savva

03 9650 0244