Terence O'Connor QC appointed chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission

2/7/97

A new chairman has been appointed to head the State's official corruption watchdog, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The Governor, Major-General Michael Jeffery in Executive Council today appointed Mr Terence O'Connor QC to the position of chairman of the ACC.

The appointment follows a recommendation by a committee comprising the Chief Justice, the Chief Judge of the District Court and the Solicitor General.

Mr O'Connor has been appointed for a term of two years and will replace the retiring chairman of the ACC, Hon John Wickham QC.

Mr O'Connor will officially take up his position on August 11,1997.

Premier Richard Court said Mr O'Connor was a respected member of the legal fraternity and had obtained wide experience during his career as a practising lawyer, company director and administrator. He also served as a commissioner of the Supreme Court.

"Mr O'Connor is also held in high regard for his contribution to the community in the areas of sport, health and education," Mr Court said.

He said the retiring chairman of the ACC, Mr Wickham, had served the State with distinction as a Supreme Court judge, then as the inaugural chairman of the Official Corruption Commission, which he had guided through its transition to the ACC.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475