The Governor-General has appointed a new Deputy Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
Jim Cox has been appointed to the role, and will commence the two-year appointment on 26 June 2020.
AER Chair, Clare Savage, said Mr Cox’s new position highlighted the growth of the agency and said she was thrilled about the appointment.
“Jim is a man of considerable integrity and with outstanding reputation. He commands respect with all stakeholders for his independence and impartiality. He is genuinely committed to serving the long-term interests of energy consumers,” Ms Savage said.
“On a personal level, I have really enjoyed getting to know Jim and working with him over the last eight months. He has been a great support to me as I have transitioned into the role of Chair.
“His patience and kindness along with his insight and perspective are deeply valued by me and I am delighted that he will now expand his support of the AER as Deputy Chair for the next two years.”
Mr Cox’s appointment acknowledges his deep expertise and experience in the Australian Public Sector.
Mr Cox has had a distinguished career that includes roles with the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat of the Department of Social Security.
He was a Tribunal member of the NSW regulator, Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), between 1996 and 2013. He was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day honours list in 2011 for outstanding public service to IPART.
Mr Cox has been a Board member since 2013. In 2017 he was reappointed as a full-time state and territory member of the AER Board for a further three-years.