Press release from Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy today announced new appointments to the ABC and SBS boards.
Ms Cheryl Bart AO has been appointed as a part-time non-executive Director to the ABC Board for a period of five years from 3 June 2010.
Dr Bulent Hass Dellal OAM has been appointed as a Director of the SBS Board for five years from 3 June 2010.
Both appointments were made under the Rudd Government's new merit based appointment process for ABC and SBS non-executive Directors.
Under the new process, announced in October 2008, positions are advertised nationally and all candidates are subject to a merit-based assessment.
An independent Nomination Panel assesses candidates' suitability and provides the Government with a shortlist of no less than three candidates per vacancy.
"I am delighted with the calibre of candidates coming forward for appointment under the Government's new merit based process," Senator Conroy said.
"Ms Bart and Dr Dellal were selected from the shortlist prepared by the Nomination Panel, and I am confident they will each make an outstanding contribution to their respective boards," Senator Conroy said.
"Ms Bart has an exceptional record of public service, including as a board member of many high profile public organisations," Senator Conroy said. "Last year she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the economic and cultural development of South Australia through leadership and executive roles, to the community through social welfare organisations, and to sport."
"Dr Dellal is eminently qualified to take on the role of SBS Director by virtue of his comprehensive understanding of Australia's multicultural society and the needs and interests of the SBS's culturally diverse audience," Senator Conroy said.
Mr Robert (Bob) Cronin has also been reappointed as a Director of the SBS Board for two years from 14 June 2010.
"Mr Cronin was reappointed on merit and also by virtue of his comprehensive experience as a non-executive Director of the SBS Board," Senator Conroy said.
Further information about each appointed candidate:
Ms Cheryl Bart
Ms Bart is a solicitor and company director. Her current board appointments include Chairman of: ANZ Trustees Limited; the AER Foundation, the Environment Protection Authority; the South Australian Film Corporation and the Adelaide Film Festival. She is a non-executive director on Spark Infrastructure Ltd and ETSA Utilities.
Ms Bart has previously served as a Director of the Economic Development Board (SA); the Information Economy Advisory Board; Defence Industry Advisory Board (SA); Women's National Basketball League; Australian Sports Foundation; Sydney Ports Corporation; and the Institute for Biomedical Research, Sydney University.
Dr Bulent Hass Dellal
Dr Dellal has been the Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation since 1989. He is also Chairman of the Centre for Multicultural Youth; Chairman of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Consultative Committee (Melbourne University); Member, the Multicultural Arts Advisory Council Victoria; and an Advisory Board Member on the Global Terrorism Research Centre, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University and on the Commonwealth Governments Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
Dr Dellal has also served as a Member, Multicultural Advisory Committee of the Family Court of Australia; Board Member, Adult Multicultural Education Services; Co-Chairperson, Police and Community Multicultural Advisory Committee, and Sitting Member, Victoria Police Ethical Standards Consultative Committee.
Dr Dellal was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 for service to multicultural organisations, the arts and the community.
Mr Bob Cronin
Mr Cronin has been a Director of the SBS Board since 2002 and is currently Group Editor-in-Chief to West Australian Newspapers. He has also been a Director at the Shanghai Daily Press Development Co. Ltd.
Mr Cronin has more than 35 years experience in the media. From 2004 to 2006, he was General Manager, Shanghai Daily Press Development Co Ltd and between 1996 and 2004, he served as a media consultant. Prior to this, he was Editor-in-Chief of Bell Publishing and West Australian Newspapers.