Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Chair Carmel Donnelly has welcomed the appointment of former Australian Productivity Commissioner Jonathan Coppel to the Tribunal.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Jonathan to the Tribunal as we continue to help the people of NSW get safe and reliable services at a fair price,” Ms Donnelly said.
“Jonathan brings extensive experience as an economist including a decade as a Commissioner at the Australian Productivity Commission and international roles with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Energy Agency.”
Mr Coppel said he looked forward to taking up his appointment and returning to Australia from France, where he has been leading the Energy Investment Unit of the International Energy Agency.
“IPART has a long history of independent and transparent review and regulation which has delivered a balance of consumer affordability and effective delivery of services for the benefit of the whole community,” he said.
“I’m honoured to join the Tribunal and to contribute to this very important work.”
Ms Donnelly said Mr Coppel’s appointment follows the recent retirement of Tribunal member Deborah Cope.
“Deborah’s deep experience in regulatory economics has been of great benefit to the Tribunal’s work over the past six years,” Ms Donnelly said.
“Deborah contributed to improving outcomes for the people of NSW, including reform of the way IPART regulates water businesses and IPART’s approach to considering climate change in our work.”
“On behalf of everyone at IPART, I’d like to thank Deborah Cope for her service and welcome Jonathan Coppel to the Tribunal.”
Mr Coppel will commence his five-year term on 16 November 2023.
Media Contact: Mark O’Brien, 0427 105 865, media@ipart.nsw.gov.au