Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Graeme Samuel has bolstered the commission’s firepower with the appointment of two commissioners, Stephen King of Melbourne and David Smith of Canberra. The terms start next week and will run for five years. He has also re-appointed one commissioner, John Martin of Canberra, and one Associate Commissioner, John Tamblyn, of Melbourne.

Mr Martin has been re-appointed for a second five-year term, also starting on June 7, and Dr Tamblyn has been re-appointed as an Associate Commissioner of the ACCC until the end of 2008.

Dr King has been a Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne since 1998 and a Professor of Management (Economics) at the Melbourne Business School since 2002. He has a PhD from Harvard University.

Mr Smith has been Executive General Manager of the Compliance Division within the ACCC since 2000, and has also managed other branches.

Mr Martin has been an ACCC Commissioner since 1999, specialising in small business matters.

He was Executive Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1989 to 1999.

Dr Tamblyn is Chairman of the Essential Services Commission of Victoria and has been an Associate Commissioner of the ACCC since 1998.