I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Liza Carver and Mr David Burden to the Board of Airservices Australia, the organisation responsible for managing 11 per cent of the world’s airspace.

Ms Liza Carver – a partner in the law firm Gilbert and Tobin – brings a wealth of legal, economic and government expertise from her previous positions as a part-time commissioner on the Australian Energy Market Commission and the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

Ms Carver will take up the position from 1 June 2009.

Mr David Burden has an extensive background in information technology, previously holding senior executive roles in both the Royal Mail Group and Qantas. He will also take up the position from 1 June 2009.

In addition to the new appointments, Dr Warren Mundy will assume the position of Deputy Chair. Dr Mundy is a current Board member with significant experience in strategic, public policy and regulatory issues.

I am also pleased to confirm that Mr Roxley McLennan AO, AVM (Rtd) has agreed to stay on for another term. Mr McLennan came to Airservices following a long and distinguished career in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Together these personnel changes will strengthen Airservices’ focus on its core air traffic control and fire and rescue services.

On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank the outgoing Board member, Ms Christine Goode, for her dedicated service to the organisation since 2005, particularly her contribution to improving its governance arrangements during her time as Deputy Chair.