Senator the Hon Helen Coonan was Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 18 July 2004 to 3 December 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Senator Stephen Conroy is the current Minister for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

074/05
24 June 2005

Appointments to the new communications regulator—ACMA

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today announced appointments to the Board of the new merged regulator – the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

“ACMA comes into existence on 1 July 2005 as a result of the merger of the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Broadcasting Authority,” Senator Coonan said.

“The merger of the two regulators recognises the changing nature of the telecommunications, broadcasting and media industries. Convergence of technology and new technology developments are challenging the old regulatory structures and ACMA will be well placed to deal with these new challenges in the future.”

The ACMA Board will have seven members - three full-time Board members, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, and four part-time Board members.

Ms Lyn Maddock has been appointed as the Deputy Chair of ACMA and Mr Chris Cheah has been appointed as a full-time Board member. Mr Rod Shogren, Professor Gerard Anderson, Mr Malcolm Long and Ms Johanna Plante have been appointed as part-time Board members.

“These members will bring a broad range of experience and expertise to the Board across ACMA’s areas of responsibility including telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunications,” Senator Coonan said.

“An announcement about the Chair of ACMA will be made shortly, when arrangements concerning the appointment have been finalised. The Deputy Chair, Ms Maddock, will act as the Chair of ACMA and Mr Cheah as Deputy Chair, until the Chair can commence in the role.

“I congratulate all of the Board members of ACMA and wish them all the best in their future endeavours with this important new agency.”

Short bios of the Board appointees are attached.

Ms Lyn Maddock is the Acting Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), and has been Deputy Chair of the ABA since 2000. Ms Maddock has broad experience within the public sector including senior roles with the National Occupation, Health and Safety Commission, the Productivity Commission and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ms Maddock has also held senior positions with Westpac. Ms Maddock has been appointed to ACMA for four years.

Mr Chris Cheah currently heads the Telecommunications Division of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The Division advises the Australian Government on the full range of telecommunications issues, and has over time managed a range of accessibility funding programs. He has also held positions with AUSTEL (the predecessor to the Australian Communications Authority) and Telstra. Mr Cheah has been appointed to ACMA for four years.

Mr Rod Shogren is a former Commissioner with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission with a role in telecommunications regulation. Mr Shogren has held a number of senior positions within the public sector and is a Consultant for Access Economics. Mr Shogren has been appointed to ACMA for three years.

Professor Gerard Anderson is currently Head of Academic Programs at the University of Central Queensland’s Melbourne Campus and was formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the IT and Mathematical Schools at the University of Ballarat. He was also a Member of the Networking the Nation Board. Professor Anderson has considerable experience in regional communications and information technology. Professor Anderson has been appointed to ACMA for three years.

Mr Malcolm Long is the Executive Director of the Australian Film Television and Radio School and a part-time member of the ABA. He was previously the Managing Director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), and has held various roles with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, including Deputy Managing Director. Mr Long has also worked for several years as a communications consultant. Mr Long has been appointed to ACMA for four years.

Ms Johanna Plante brings a broad range of telecommunications experience to ACMA. Ms Plante recently retired as the CEO of the Australian Communications Industry Forum. She has held senior positions with KPMG, Telstra, Pacific Star Communications and Coopers and Lybrand, in addition to serving as a member of AUSTEL. Ms Plante was also a Board Member of the Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (Networking the Nation). Ms Plante has been appointed to ACMA for three years.