ACCC appoints new CEO

Mr Brian Cassidy has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Mr Cassidy replaces the long standing Chief Executive Officer of the ACCC, Mr Hank Spier.

"In accordance with his long-stated plans, Hank has chosen to retire from the position and take on consulting work including work for the ACCC and be involved in other such work, including other Government work", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today.

Mr Cassidy comes to the ACCC from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Previously, he worked in Treasury where he had a long and high profile career. He has already had regular dealings with the ACCC having been instrumental in overseeing and drafting reforms of the National Competition Policy Review (the Hilmer Report) in the mid-1990s.

These changes significantly expanded the ACCC's role.

Mr Cassidy holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney and Master of Economics, Australian National University. He joined Treasury in 1973 and rose through several areas including banking, non-bank financial institutions, monetary policy, industries policy, fiscal policy, and structural policy.

In January 1999, he transferred to Prime Minister and Cabinet to become First Assistant Secretary of the Industry and Environment Division. He was responsible for policy advice in the areas of industry policy, environment, infrastructure, competition policy, resources, energy, transport and communications.

He was also responsible for the Commonwealth-State secretariat and issues relating to the Council of Australian Governments.

Mr Cassidy described the ACCC as "a really interesting place these days. It has gone from being purely an enforcement agency to an important economic regulatory organisation, yet keeping a strong enforcement role".

Mr Cassidy has commenced work at the ACCC and will take up the appointment formally on 3 July.