Editors --- "Members' News" [1999] AdminRw 30; (1999) 51 Admin Review 58

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MEMBERS' NEWS

President's term expires

On 3 February 1999, the term of Professor Marcia Neave AO as a member, and President, of the Council expired. Professor Neave served as President of the Council for three years.

During her term, Professor Neave made a significant contribution to the work of the Council, and provided enthusiastic and professional leadership. The high quality of, and consequent public interest in, The Contracting Out of Government Services Report are indicative of this.

Since leaving the Council, Professor Neave has been named as an officer of the Order of Australia in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to the law, reform and education.

New President of the Council

On 25 August 1999 the Attorney-General announced the appointment of Ms Bettie McNee as President of the Council. At the time, Ms McNee was Group Secretary and General Counsel of Westpac Banking Corporation.

Prior to joining Westpac in 1995, Ms McNee was a partner of Freehill Hollingdale & Page, Solicitors, where she was managing partner of its Federal Government practice in Canberra, and national co-ordination partner of the national firm with responsibility for the implementation of national and international policies. She is currently a Director of the Menzies Research Centre and the Private Health Insurance Administration Council, and a Member of the Australian Capital Territory Remuneration Tribunal.

New President of the AAT

Justice Deirdre O'Connor was re-appointed President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ('AAT') in March 1999. As a consequence, she has taken up an ex officio position on the Council. Justice O'Connor previously held the position of President of the AAT from 1990-1994.

Justice O'Connor replaces Justice Jane Mathews who returns to full-time duties on the Federal Court bench. The Council expresses its gratitude to Justice Mathews for her contribution as an ex officio member over the last four and a half years.

New President of the Australian Law Reform Commission

The appointment of Alan Rose AO as President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, and ex officio member of the Council, came to an end in May 1999. Mr Rose's assistance to the Council has been greatly appreciated. He is the Council's longest serving member to date.

Professor David Weisbrot is the new President of the Australian Law Reform Commission. In consequence, he takes up an ex officio position on the Council. Professor Weisbrot has an extensive knowledge and experience in the law, with a particular expertise in the area of law reform. Professor Weisbrot took up his appointment in June 1999.

New member appointed

In November 1998, the Attorney-General announced the appointment of Patricia Ridley as part-time member of the Council, for a period of three years.

Ms Ridley has over 25 years experience in communications and government administration. She is currently a private consultant, specialising in public and government relations for corporate and government clients.

Terms of four members expire

The terms of two of the members of the Council, Jill Anderson and Professor Ian Lowe, expired at the end of September 1998. Helen Williams resigned from the Council in September 1999, as did Stephen Skehill. The contributions of all past members to the Council have been greatly appreciated.

Former member appointed to the Federal Court

In April 1999, the Attorney-General announced the appointment of Mr Roger Gyles QC as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

Mr Gyles served as a member of the Administrative Review Council from 1976 to 1982. He developed an extensive practice in the areas of commercial and administrative law, and held a number of senior appointments at both the Commonwealth and State level. Mr Gyles took up his appointment to the Court in June 1999.