PM Transcripts

T2EL1:. Apr. 93 9: 58 No. 001 P. 01/ 01
4C
PRIME MINISTERI
STATEMENT BY THlE PRIME MIINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
PHILIPPA SMIITHI TO BE NEW OMBUDSMAN
I am pleased to announce that I will he recommending to the Governor-General that
he appoint Ms Philippa Smith to be thc next Cornmonwcalth and Defence Force
Omibudsman. I will propose that Ms Smith's appointment be for 5 years, commencin&
on 17 May 1993.
Ms Smith is the first woman to be appointed as Commonwealth Ombudsman. She
brings to the Office an enormous range of experience in the public and private sector.
Shc has held senior positions in the Australian Council of Social Services, the
Australian Consumers Association and thc NSW Department of Health. At present,
she is a consultant with Issues Australia, where she has worked on complaint
procedures in a varicty of organisahions and also a part-time member of thc
Commonwealth Admiinistrative Appeals Tribunal. Her career has been directed at
ensuring that individual Australians are treated fairly.
I believe that Ms Smith is well-equipped to lead the Ombudsman's Office through the
changes that may occur during the 1990s. Her predecessor, Mr Alan Cameron, was an
important force for change and grcater efficiency in the way the Ombudsman's Office
dealt with its task and the way it was perceivcd by the public and I am confident that
Ms Smith will show the same leadership.
I would also express my appreciation to Ms Lindsay Shaw, who has acted as
Ombudsman following Mfr Camcron's resignation, and to the other staff of the Office
who have ensured that the Office Ms Smith takes over is able to meet the challenges of
the future.
CANBERRA 21 April 1993 TEL: