The Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) has been strengthened with the appointment by the Minister for Health and Aged Care of four new independent Council members with medical, commercial, and corporate experience.

The new members are Ms Anne McDonald, Ms Bettie McNee, Mr Graham Rogers and Dr Just Stoelwinder. They replace departing members who mostly served on PHIAC as representatives of health insurance funds or industry associations.

"It is important that PHIAC, as the industry regulator and prudential supervisor, is independent of the registered health benefit organisations, especially since decisions are often required that impact directly on the commercial health and viability of particular funds," Dr Wooldridge said.

"This restructuring of the Council membership, and the appointment of Mr Gary Richardson as Commissioner, positions PHIAC for a more independent and assertive future as the ultimate guardian of members' reserves and the commercial management of the funds.

"I am very pleased that the new appointments include people with a wealth of strategic and commercial experience, as well as one of Australia's leading medical administrators.

"I also thank the previous Council members - Mr Russell Schneider representing the AHIA, Mr Mike Whelan representing Medibank Private, Mr Michael Bassingthwaighte representing HIRMAA and independent actuary Mr Tom Karp - for their service during a period of substantial difficulty for the private health insurance industry," Dr Wooldridge said.

Biographical notes on the newly appointed members are attached. Council members are appointed for three year terms.

Attachment

Biographical details of the new members of Private Health Insurance Administration Council

Ms Anne McDonald

has been a Partner of Ernst & Young since 1990. She has twenty years of experience in the field of financial advisory services, audit, financial investigations, due diligence reviews and company floats. This experience has covered a broad range of industries, the last ten years with particular specialisation in the insurance and financial services sector. The role and experience as auditor and financial adviser has provided experience and appreciation of strategic and business issues facing a range of businesses and also exposure to financial and business systems and issues. Ms McDonald is familiar with the issues facing the health industry.

Ms Bettie McNee is presently Group Secretary and General Counsel, Westpac Banking Corporation. Ms McNee manages the delivery of legal services to Westpac and day-to-day legal advice to Westpac's executive, as well as legal compliance related issues arising generally from APRA, the ASX, and the ACCC. Prior to the appointment with Westpac, Ms McNee spent twelve years in legal practice with Freehill Hollingdale & Page in Canberra in charge of the firm's federal government practice, specifically, representing the firm's national clients in their dealings with the federal government. The client portfolio included Canberra-based businesses and national institutions to whom general commercial advice was given. As Managing Partner, Canberra (from 1990), responsibilities included accountability for the overall profitability of the Canberra office, including budget planning, financial performance, recruitment, and growing the local market share of the partnership.

Mr Graham Rogers is an independent director and corporate adviser with a strong commitment to the major areas of change in Australia today, particularly in the delivery of public and private services and in the relationships between Australia and Asia. He has a number of current directorships and has advised a range of businesses both in Australia and internationally on strategic development issues, guided the establishment of a major Australian consultancy in Asia and advised on the possibility for major change in health care delivery in Victoria. His background as a chief executive in the financial services industry includes guiding major institutional change and the strategic building and rebuilding of businesses. With his professional background as an actuary, he also brings strong long term risk management skills.

Dr Just Stoelwinder is CEO of the Southern Health Care Network incorporating seven hospitals (including the Monash Medical Centre), six community health centres and a range of aged care facilities providing hospital and community-based care to 750,000 people in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. He ahs led the way in developing an integrated system of care, with clinical services organised into 12 clinical programs and is sponsoring a large generic coordinated care trial. From 1987 to 1995, Dr Stoelwinder was CEO of the Monash Medical Centre, a 747 bed specialist referral hospital on two campuses. Dr Stoelwinder has developed interest in management and was an Adjunct Professor in business management at Monash University from 1991 to 1997. He is widely regarded as the best medical administrator in Victoria.

Media Contact:
Bill Royce, Dr Wooldridge's office, (02) 6277 7220