Commission Membership
The Chairperson and Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, pursuant to section 12 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2002. The Governor may appoint persons as Commissioners who are qualified for appointment on the basis of their knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law and/or public administration.
The Commission comprises of Dr Pat Walsh (Chairperson), Mr John Hill, Emeritus Professior Richard Blandy and Mrs Barbara Rajkowska.
Dr Pat Walsh
Dr Pat Walsh commenced in the role of Chairperson on 10 April 2005 and this initial appointment expired on 10 October 2010. Dr Walsh was reappointed to the position of Chairperson on a part-time basis on 17 February 2011 for a period of five years expiring on 16 February 2016.
Dr Walsh is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and has professional affiliations with the Institute of Public Administration Australia, the Association of Business Economists, the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society
(of which he was formerly the national Vice Chairman) and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Prior to his appointment as Chairperson, Dr Walsh was Director, Licensing and Performance Monitoring with the Commission. He has held senior positions in the energy regulation and reform area for some time, including Senior Regulation Advisor with the Electricity Reform and Sales Unit (Department of Treasury & Finance), Director, Microeconomic Reform Branch, Cabinet Office (Department of Premier and Cabinet) and Manager Policy and Planning, SA Office of Energy.
Dr Walsh is a Science graduate (with honours in Mathematics) from the University of Adelaide and worked as a Research Scientist with the CSIRO during the 1970’s. He also holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide.
Commissioners:
Mr John Hill
Mr Hill was first appointed to the Commission in July 2005. In July 2010 Mr Hill was appointed as Acting Chairperson and Commissioner for a further two-year term.
Mr Hill is a former Deputy Under Treasurer with the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance. He is a Board Member of Uniting Care Wesley Port Adelaide Inc and Meals on Wheels Inc. In addition, Mr Hill is a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee of the University of Adelaide and the Audit and Governance Committee of the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.
Emeritus Professor Richard Blandy
Professor Blandy was first appointed to the Commission in March 2004. In March 2009 Professor Blandy was appointed as a Commissioner for a further three-year term.
Professor Blandy is an Emeritus Professor at Flinders University and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Management at the University of South Australia. He is also an Executive Director of AustralAsia Economics Pty Ltd. He is an economist with a PhD from Columbia University
He has also been Chairman of the South Australian Energy Consumers Council, CEO of the South Australian Development Council providing policy advice to the South Australian Premier and Cabinet, Ronald F Henderson Professor of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne, Professor of Economics and Director of the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University, and an International Civil Servant at the International Labour Office, Geneva.
Ms Barbara Rajkowska
Barbara Rajkowska was appointed to the Commission in July 2010 for a two-year term.
Barbara is owner and Managing Director of BR Consulting. Barbara has an extensive professional background at executive level and has served as a director of WorkCoverSA Board, Environment Protection Authority SA Board, Board of Examiners for Mine Managers SA, and member of the advisory panel for Hybrid Energy Australia. She was a member and a chairperson of a number of Board committees. She is a current member of RenewablesSA Board.
Barbara has over 25 years professional experience in energy industry in the areas of strategy and business development, sales and marketing and mining operations management. Barbara is the President of the Epilepsy Association of SA and NT Board.
