2006 Media Releases
Thursday, 28 September 2006
La Trobe appointment for Deputy Speaker
La Trobe University has appointed Mr Peter Loney MP, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Victoria, to the position of Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law and Management, and Executive Director of the University’s Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre.
Professor Raymond Harbridge, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed Mr Loney’s appointment. He said Mr Loney joins the Faculty’s already impressive list of Adjunct Professors including former Director General of the World Trade Organisation, the Right Hon. Mike Moore.
The La Trobe Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre is primarily concerned with accountability in democratic government and the role it plays in minimising the potential for mismanagement and corruption.
It also provides training for postgraduates in public sector accountability and governance and carries out research, development and academic support for parliament, parliamentary committees and parliamentary officers on issues of accountability and governance.
“The Faculty of Law and Management already has strong ties with government and business in this community. Mr Loney’s experience in parliamentary accountability through his work as Chair of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees, and Chair of the Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee will strengthen those relationships,” Professor Harbridge said.
“Mr Loney’s experience as Deputy Speaker of the Victorian Parliament will also enable him to provide valuable insights into the work of the Centre.”
Mr Loney was involved in the founding of the Centre, and has served as its Advisory Board Chair since 2004. Mr Loney, who leaves Parliament at the November State election, said he was honoured by the appointment, and looked forward to building the role and reputation of the Centre internationally.
“This Centre is unique in the world.” Mr Loney said. “It aims to improve the quality of accountability and governance within the public sector, and the capacity of elected representatives to carry out their role of scrutiny of the actions of executive government.
“Throughout our region, and globally, there is a growing emphasis on governance and accountability as mechanisms for ensuring good government and combating corruption, and it is exciting to be a part of this La Trobe initiative.”
For further assistance:
Jacqui Martin, Faculty of Law and Management, Tel: 03 9479 2721, email: j.martin@latrobe.edu.au