Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

I have some additional information. The minister has established a selection committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Conall O’Connell, to provide him with a list of candidates for consideration. Other members of the committee are Dr John Laker and Ms Jenny Varcoe-Cocks. I know John Laker very well and he is chair of the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority. I do not think you could get a much more respected and senior figure in regulation than Dr Laker. The minister will make the appointments of WEA chair and members based on the necessary skills and expertise required to govern WEA, in particular to ensure the operation of the accreditation scheme. I mentioned Dr Laker because he is personally known to me. I do not know Ms Jenny Varcoe-Cocks, but I do not in any sense suggest that she does not have appropriate background or qualifications; she is just not known to me.