Hon Simon Power
Minister of Commerce
Hon Rodney Hide
Associate Minister of Commerce

18 June 2009 Media Statement

Commerce Commission appointments announced
Susan Begg and Patrick Duignan have been appointed to the Commerce Commission, Commerce Minister Simon Power and Associate Commerce Minister Rodney Hide announced today.

Susan Begg will succeed Denese Bates QC as a member of the commission, while Patrick Duignan has been appointed as an associate member. Both will serve for five years.

"We are pleased with their appointments and welcome the economic expertise and understanding of network industries they will bring to the commission,”Mr Power says.

Mr Hide, who has oversight of the commission, says it is undertaking an extensive work programme to implement the new regulatory regimes of the Commerce Act that relate to electricity lines, and gas pipelines businesses and specific airport services.

The Ministers acknowledged Ms Bates for her service of more than eight years.

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Background:

Susan Begg is a director and co-founder of consultancy company Impetus Group. She has worked for Credit Suisse First Boston (and its predecessors) as vice-president and head of the economic advisory unit, and a manager for the Macroeconomic Policy Section at The Treasury.

Patrick Duignan is principal and director at Taylor Duignan Barry Ltd and Munro Duignan Ltd. He has been General Manager Finance for Telecom, director in the Investment Banking Division of CS First Boston, treasurer of the New Zealand Debt Management Office, and Director Policy Coordination and Development at The Treasury. He is an expert (non-board) member of the ACC Investment Committee.

The Commerce Commission comprises between four to six members who are appointed by the Governor-General. Under section 11 of the Commerce Act, an unspecified number of associate members may also be appointed by the Minister of Commerce.

ENDS

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