NO.112

APPOINTMENTS TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION COUNCIL

The Governor-General this morning appointed Dr Wendy Craik as President, and

Mr David Crawford, Dr Douglas McTaggart, Ms Virginia Hickey and Mr Rodney Sims

as Councillors, of the National Competition Council on a part-time basis for

a period of three years.

All appointments to the Council have received majority support of the States

and Territories. The appointees have extensive experience in industry, law,

economics and public administration.

Dr Craik, Mr Crawford and Dr McTaggart have been reappointed to the Council.

Ms Hickey has a strong commercial law background. She is currently Principal

of Luma Corporate Governance Consulting, Director of the Medical Defence Association

of South Australia/Medical Insurance Australia Pty Ltd, Commissioner of the

National Road Transport Commission and Councillor of the Australian Institute

of Company Directors (SA & NT Division). Ms Hickey was formerly a partner

of Finlaysons Lawyers in Adelaide.

Mr Sims has extensive experience in the areas of commerce, economics and public

administration. He is currently a business consultant and director of Port Jackson

Partners Ltd. He previously served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of

the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Transport and Communications.

I would like to thank Mr Robert Fitzgerald for his past contribution to the

Council’s work. Mr Fitzgerald has been appointed to the Productivity Commission

with effect from 27 January 2004.

The National Competition Council was established in November 1995. Its functions

include advising on access to significant infrastructure services under the

Trade Practices Act 1974, and on whether State and Territory government

businesses should be subject to prices surveillance.

The Council also has a variety of roles under the three National Competition

Policy Agreements signed by all Australian Governments in April 1995. This includes

assessing whether States and Territories have met the conditions necessary to

receive competition payments from the Australian Government.

MELBOURNE

18 December 2003

Contact: David Alexander (02) 6277 7340