THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has appointed Luke Woodward as a commissioner for a five-year term, starting October 10.

Making the announcement was ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, who said Mr Woodward was regarded as one of Australia’s leading competition and consumer law practitioners.

He has more than 30 years of experience spanning competition and consumer matters, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure regulation in a range of sectors.

Luke Woodward

Mr Woodward worked at the ACCC between 1993 and 2000 in roles including executive general manager, general counsel and senior assistant commissioner.

He was most recently a competition and regulation partner and national head of competition law at King and Wood Mallesons.

Ms Cass-Gottlieb said: “I am delighted to welcome Luke back to the ACCC. His expertise and experience across a wide range of fields relevant to the work of the ACCC is recognised not only in Australia but globally.

ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb

“Luke’s strong litigation experience will be an asset to the ACCC’s work, particularly in our enforcement program and in Australia’s new merger regime.”

Mr Woodward holds a master of public administration from Harvard Kennedy School and degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney.

He fills a position left vacant after the departure of former ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver.