The state’s independent economic regulator has welcomed the announcement of a new head with acting chair Kate Symons taking over as full-time commissioner and chair.
Chief executive John Hamill says the announcement by Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott, the minister responsible for the commission, is a strong vote of confidence in the organisation.
“Kate has made an important contribution to the commission’s development over the past three years as we have grown in size and responsibilities.
“This appointment provides a level of continuity of leadership at a critical time as we transition into new and expanded roles across a broad program of work covering energy, transport, local government, water and energy efficiency,” he said.
Kate is an experienced lawyer with a broad range of experience working for a Commonwealth Royal Commission (HIH Insurance), the Federal Court of Australia, a university and law firms in Australia and internationally over almost two decades.
Kate says she’s delighted to be taking on the role of chairing Victoria’s foremost economic regulator at a pivotal time.
“In the wake of recent royal commissions, regulators of all types are increasingly being challenged to take effective and proportionate enforcement action.
“I believe our new commission, comprising myself, Simon Corden and recently appointed Sitesh Bhojani, is well positioned to support and lead the organisation to be the strong and fair regulator that our community expects us to be,” she said.
Kate is also proud to become the commission’s first female chair.
“I have witnessed the organisation’s efforts to become a truly diverse and inclusive culture over the past three years including the establishment of a staff-lead empowered women’s network and a gender-balanced executive,” she said.
The commission’s new chair will take over immediately after acting in the role since the departure of two term chair Dr Ron Ben-David in May this year.
