In recognition of her work protecting and promoting the rights of consumers, Ms Delia Rickard was last night named the inaugural winner of the Law Council of Australia’s Consumer Rights Award.
“For over 30 years, Ms Rickard has dedicated her career to consumer protection. I can think of no more worthy recipient of the inaugural Consumer Rights Award,” Law Council President, Mr Tass Liveris said.
Ms Rickard has been a Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission since 2012. She sits on the ACCC’s competition exemptions, communications, consumer data right, enforcement and compliance and product safety committees. She is also an Associate Member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Ms Rickard’s work in consumer protection started in 1990 when she was an adviser to the Minister for Justice & Consumer Affairs Senator the Hon Michael Tate. From 1992 to 1993 she served as Chief of Staff to Consumer Affairs Minister, the Hon Jeanette McHugh, before being appointed as a Senior Executive, in charge of the Consumer Protection Branch, at the Trade Practices Commission.
In 2000, Ms Rickard was appointed as a Senior Executive at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where she was responsible for consumer issues in banking, financial literacy and capability.
From early in her career, Ms Rickard had a strong interest in financial services and in particular the impact of the financial services industry on vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers. Outside of work, she is a trustee of the Jan Pentland Foundation, an organisation dedicated to providing scholarships for those who want to work as financial counsellors and Chair of Good Shepherd’s Advisory Committee on Financial Inclusion Action Plans.
In 2011, Ms Rickard was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2011 for her contribution to consumer protection and financial services. She has also been awarded the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Consumer Rights Award was presented to Ms Rickard by the Hon. Justice Michael Lee at yesterday evening’s Consumer Rights Forum.
The award will be conducted annually by the Australian Consumer Law Committee of the Law Council’s Legal Practice Section. It recognises the range of skills, interests and contributions of those committed to the development and implementation of the law and practices in this field.
