Media Releases

19 Jul 2010 - NEW TEAM TO DELIVER GOVERNMENT'S VISION FOR SPORT

NEW TEAM TO DELIVER GOVERNMENT'S VISION FOR SPORT

Minister for Sport Kate Ellis today announced new appointments to the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), putting in place the team who will take forward the Government's vision for Australian Sport, the Pathway to Success.

The Hon. Mr Warwick Smith has been appointed the new Chair of the ASC. Mr Smith has held several senior positions within the corporate sector, including as an Executive Director of Macquarie Bank and Head of the Australia China Business Council. Mr Smith is currently the Chairman of ANZ New South Wales and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Australian Equity Group.

"As a former Minister for Sport in the Howard Government, Mr Smith has the necessary knowledge of the workings and structure of the ASC to be a strong Chair and implement the Gillard Government's announced policy priorities for Australian sport," Ms Ellis said.

Ms Ellis thanked Mr David Gallop for the period he has served as Acting Chair of the ASC.

"David has done an outstanding job as Acting Chair and I have asked him to continue providing his sound guidance and advice as the permanent Deputy Chair of the Commission", Ms Ellis said.

Ms Ellis also acknowledged the excellent contribution and tireless efforts of Alisa Camplin, who has been a dedicated Deputy Chair since 2008.

"Despite the fact that Alisa will now be spending more of her time overseas, I am terribly pleased that she has agreed to play an ongoing role as a member of the Commission and I thank her for a truly tremendous contribution as Deputy Chair ."

Minister Ellis also announced the appointment of two new members Ms Ann Sherry and Mr Michael Turtur.

Ms Sherry has extensive experience in the corporate sector and in 2004 was awarded an Order of Australia for her contribution to the Australian community through the promotion of corporate management policies and practices that embrace gender equity, social justice and work and family partnerships.

Ms Sherry was First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra from 1992-1994, advising the Prime Minister on policies and programs to improve the status of women in Australia. Ms Sherry was also Australia's representative to the United Nations forums on human rights and women's rights and is currently Chief Executive Officer of the global cruise company Carnival Australia.

Mr Turtur is a well known sporting figure in the Australian community; a Olympic gold medallist in the 4000m Team Pursuit at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Mr Turtur is currently the race director of the highly successful Tour Down Under. Mr Turtur is also the current President of the Oceania Cycling Confederation and represents Oceania on the Management Committee of the International Cycling Union.

"These new appointments mean that we now have the team in place at the Australian Sports Commission to progress the Government new policy direction for Australian sport, which is supported by a record investment of $195 million - the largest single funding injection into sport in our nation's history," Ms Ellis said.

Minister Ellis' Press Secretary: Jamila Rizvi 0438 644 603