Ripper appoints Panegyres to Economic Regulation Authority

Former Western Australian Crown Solicitor Peter Panegyres has been appointed to the State Government's Economic Regulation Authority's governing body for three years in a part-time capacity.

The full text of an announcement from Treasurer Eric Ripper is pasted below.

Treasurer Eric Ripper has announced the appointment of Peter Panegyres AM as a part-time member of the Economic Regulation Authority's (ERA) governing body for a period of three years.

Mr Panegyres was a Crown Solicitor for Western Australia for almost 20 years from 1985. As the ERA's role is multi-disciplinary, particularly in the areas of economics, law and engineering, Mr Panegyres' experience and legal expertise will be invaluable.

As a Crown Solicitor, Mr Panegyres provided assistance and advice in relevant areas to the ERA, the Western Australian Independent Gas Pipeline Regulator and the Rail Access Regulator.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the law and to the public administration for WA and was awarded the Commonwealth Centenary Medal for service to the law in WA.

Mr Panegyres joins existing members of the ERA's governing body, full-time chairman Lyndon Rowe and part-time member Steve Edwell.

He replaces Chris Field, who was appointed as the new Ombudsman in WA earlier this year.

Mr Panegyres' three-year appointment commenced on October 9.

The ERA regulates monopoly aspects of the gas, electricity and rail industries and licenses providers of gas, electricity and water services.

It also inquires into matters referred to it by the State Government and has a range of responsibilities in the retailing of gas and surveillance of the wholesale electricity market in WA.