With a sometimes prickly relationship evident between the insurance industry and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the appointment on Friday of Choice CEO and former Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Director Peter Kell as Deputy Chairman of the commission may well work in the industry’s favour.
 
The full-time five-year role will see Mr Kell leave consumer organisation Choice after serving as its CEO since March 2004.

Mr Kell developed a close relationship with the insurance industry in his previous ASIC roles as Executive Director of Consumer Protection and NSW Regional Commissioner.

He joined the regulator in 1998, and was responsible for ASIC’s approach to consumer protection regulation in the financial services sector.

Competition Policy Minister Chris Bowen says Mr Kell is “eminently suitable for the role of Deputy Chairman, with extensive experience in arguing the case for consumers”.

ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel has been reappointed for three years, while Professor Michael Schaper joins as second Deputy Chairman for five years.

Mr Schaper will be responsible for small business, in line with a Federal Government commitment to ensure small business is represented on the commission.

Current Deputy Chairman Louise Sylvan will depart the commission, and will become a commissioner at the Productivity Commission.