ACCAN chief Allan Asher named Commonwealth Ombudsman

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 22 July 2010 18:56

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Allan Asher will move on after just a year as inaugural CEO of the recently formed Australian Consumer and Communications Action Network (ACCAN) to take up the role of the  Commonwealth Ombudsman.

He  will fill the position vacated by Professor John McMillan, who resigned to take up the post of Information Commissioner Designate.

Asher will start his new role at the end of August and will be responsible for dealing with the highest level of complaints against any Australian government department or agency.

ACCAN chair, Sue Salthouse, said: "Allan is one of Australia’s most highly regarded consumer advocates and we believe everyone will benefit from an Ombudsman such as Allan, who is a man of integrity with a strong sense of social justice.

"We thank Allan for his tireless efforts and energy over the past 12 months that has seen ACCAN emerge as a strong voice in advocating for communications consumers.”

ACCAN said: "It will be business as usual with operations advocacy continuing in the capable hands of deputy chief executive Teresa Corbin (former CEO of CTN) while the ACCAN board recruits for a replacement."