The former Victorian Labor Premier, John Brumby, has been appointed to chair the COAG Reform Council for the next three years.
Brumby will replace businessman Paul McClintock when he takes up the position in January.
The seven-member council “assists the Council of Australian Governments with its reform agenda”.
It reports to COAG and provides reports on the performance of Australian governments in achieving benchmarks set out in national agreements and partnership arrangements.
A former teacher and teachers’ union official, Brumby, 59, held the federal seat of Bendigo for the ALP from 1983-90. He became Chief of Staff to federal minister Alan Griffiths before being elected to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1993. Later that year he was elected to the Legislative Assembly district of Broadmeadows, replacing the former Labor leader Jim Kennan.
As Opposition Leader, and with Julia Gillard as his Chief of Staff, Brumby lost the 1996 election and was replaced by Steve Bracks in 1999. After the ALP defeated Jeff Kennett’s coalition government later that year, Brumby became Finance Minister before taking over as Treasurer in May 2000. He held that position until Steve Bracks retired in July 2007. Brumby then served as Premier until November 2010 when he was narrowly defeated by Ted Baillieu.
Text of a media release from Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
New Chair Of COAG Reform Council
The Hon John Brumby has been appointed to chair the COAG Reform Council for the next three years.
The COAG Reform Council assists the Council of Australian Governments with its reform agenda.
The Council reports directly to COAG on reforms of national significance, providing regular reports on the performance of the Commonwealth and the States and Territories in achieving the benchmarks set out in National Agreements and National Partnerships.
Mr Brumby takes over from Paul McClintock who has led the Council with distinction since its establishment in 2006.
Mr Brumby has a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge of the Council’s operations from his time as Victorian Premier and Treasurer and brings to the role a strong commitment to reform.
During his time as Premier, Mr Brumby was heavily involved in the negotiation of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, the seamless national economy agreement and health and hospital reform.
Mr Brumby also recently jointly conducted the GST Distribution Review and led the review into the feasibility of the establishing a Commonwealth Anti-Dumping Authority.
The Chair of the COAG Reform Council is appointed by the Australian Government with the Deputy Chair appointed by the States and Territories.
The COAG Reform Council comprises a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, four Councillors and an Executive Councillor.
Mr Brumby will take up his appointment at the beginning of January 2013.
