Membership of the independent Gambling Licence Review Panel has been finalised, the Minister for Gaming, Daniel Andrews, announced today. “The establishment of the independent Review Panel delivers on the commitment of the Government and will reinforce the integrity, scrutiny and transparency of the gambling licence review process,” Mr Andrews said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Membership of the independent Gambling Licence Review Panel has been finalised, the Minister for Gaming, Daniel Andrews, announced today.
“The establishment of the independent Review Panel delivers on the commitment of the Government and will reinforce the integrity, scrutiny and transparency of the gambling licence review process,” Mr Andrews said.
“As previously announced, the Review Panel will be headed up by the Honourable Ron Merkel QC, former Judge of the Federal Court and a distinguished and highly regarded Victorian,” he said.
Joining Mr Merkel on the Panel will be: · Michael Ellis, part-time Commissioner of the State Services Authority; · David Green, a former public advocate; and · Barbara Yeoh, a principal in her own financial consultancy company.
“I am pleased that such outstanding and highly competent individuals with a broad range of experience in both the private and public sectors have agreed to be members of the Panel,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews said the Bracks Government has established the independent Review Panel to provide a further layer of scrutiny to the gambling licencing process.
The independent Panel will examine the processes undertaken to grant the lotteries licence and will present a report through the Gaming Minister that will be publicly released when the lotteries licencing announcement is made.
“The review panel will provide the public with a further layer of scrutiny and assurance as to the integrity of the gambling licences review process,” Mr Andrews said.
The provisions of the Gambling Regulation Amendment ( Review Panel ) Act 2007 came into operation earlier this month, enabling the Government to finalise the appointment of members of the Panel.
Mr Andrews said the Bracks Government remained committed to an outcome with probity, integrity and best value for Victorians in the awarding of all gambling licences.
Panel Members Ron Merkel Mr Ronald Merkel QC is a former Judge of the Federal Court and has extensive experience in constitutional, administrative, commercial and public interest law, as well as Indigenous matters. Mr Merkel is currently a practising Barrister. He has held positions as President of the Victorian and Australian Council for Civil Liberties, was the founding President of the Victorian Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, a founding member of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, a founding trustee for the Koori Aboriginal Heritage Trust, a part-time Commissioner of the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and the Chairman of the Victorian Bar’s “Equality before the Law” Committee.
David Green Mr Alan David Green is a former Public Advocate ( 1995-2000 ) who has been involved with a wide range of community organisations over the past 35 years. Mr Green has spent over 30 years in the public and community sector, working in aged care, intellectual disability, juvenile justice and child welfare. Some of his significant roles have included: Director of Community Services for the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Member of the Victoria Legal Aid Consultative Committee, Chairperson of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, and numerous voluntary positions. He is currently a lecturer at La Trobe University, a Director and Board Member of Berry Street Victoria, and a part-time Alternate Chairperson of the Multiple and Complex Needs Panel for the Department of Human Services.
Michael Ellis Mr Michael Raymond Ellis has broad ranging program and policy experience, with specific experience in the health sector. Mr Ellis has held numerous senior positions within the Department of Human Services, and has also held the position of Chief Executive Officer for Bairnsdale Regional Health Service ( 1996-2003 ) and the Victorian Healthcare Association. Mr Ellis is currently a Board Member of Dental Health Services Victoria, and is a part-time Commissioner of the Victorian State Services Authority. In that capacity, he recently conducted the Review of Rural Ambulance Victoria ( 2006-2007 ) and the Review of Victorian Cemeteries ( 2007 ). He is also a partner with Highview Partners Consultants, who specialise in health and human resources.
Barbara Yeoh Ms Barbara May Yeoh is experienced in financial management in both the private and public sectors. She is currently principal of Barbara May Yeoh & Associates Pty Ltd ( a financial consultancy company ). Ms Yeoh’s former positions include those of Director, Corporate Advisory, Oxley Corporate Finance, General Manager, Treasury Corporation Victoria and Assistant Director General, Ministry of Transport ( Victoria ). She has extensive experience in public sector governance. Ms Yeoh was appointed to the Victorian Attorney-General’s Law Reform Advisory Council, Member Business Committee ( 1997 – 2000 ) and is currently a member of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Audit and Rick Committee ( commencing 2004 ) and the Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel ( Commonwealth ) ( commencing 2004 ). Ms Yeoh holds a Bachelor of Science ( Hons ) degree. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Yeoh is currently a Director of the Board of the Victoria State Emergency Service.
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