Appointments to Competition Taskforce Advisory Panel

The Albanese Government has appointed seven experts in business, government, law and economics to advise on competition policy settings to build a more dynamic and productive economy.

Kerry Schott, John Asker, Sharon Henrick, David Gonski and John Fingleton will join Danielle Wood and Rod Sims on the expert advisory panel for the new Competition Taskforce.

The Taskforce has been established in Treasury to provide continuous advice on whether Australia’s competition policy settings are fit for purpose in the face of the big shifts underway in our economy.

Greater competition is critical for lifting dynamism, productivity and wages growth, putting downward pressure on prices and delivering more choice for Australians dealing with cost‑of‑living pressures.

Kerry Schott, a highly regarded and experienced leader across public and private sectors, will serve as chair of the panel. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 2015 for her service to business and commerce in private and public sector finance, and leadership of government infrastructure projects.

John Asker is a Professor of Economics and the Armen A. Alchian Chair in Economic Theory at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research looks at topics including firm‑level productivity, antitrust policy and cartel behaviour.

Sharon Henrick is a leading competition lawyer who has advised clients in Australia and overseas on competition and consumer matters. She was formerly head of King & Wood Mallesons’ Competition Law and Regulatory Group.

David Gonski has significant experience across law, finance and business leadership. He is the current Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Chairman of Barrenjoey and President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trust. He has previously served as Chairman of ANZ Banking Group, as a member of the Takeovers Panel, and led the Commonwealth’s Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.

Economist John Fingleton was Chief Executive of the UK’s Office of Fair Trading and previously ran the Irish Competition Authority. He has also chaired the International Competition Network and served as a member of the OECD Competition Committee.

The expert advisory panel met for the first time in Sydney today.