Roger Hussey appointed TAB chairman

26/10/93

Minister for Racing and Gaming Max Evans today announced the appointment of Mr Roger Hussey as chairman of the TAB for a term expiring on January 1, 1996.

Mr Evans said Mr Hussey brought strong business and academic credentials to the TAB, as well as considerable experience on the boards of semi-government institutions, and said he was delighted he had accepted the appointment.

Mr Hussey, 47, is a well-known company director and former member of the Diplomatic Corps who holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from the University of Western Australia and an MA majoring in politics and economics from Oxford University.  He is presently chairman of the Western Australian Potato Marketing Authority, board member of Princess Margaret Children's Hospital and chairman of its Medical Research Foundation, and a director of the WA Research Institute for Child Health.

After leaving the Diplomatic Corps in 1972, Mr Hussey joined Shell Australia as a marketing executive before his appointment as general manager of investment and finance for Robert Holmes a Court's Bell Group in 1975.

He left Bell Group to become a director and chief executive of Allied Westralian from 1979 to 1983, and was chairman and chief executive of Bowra Holdings and Century Holdings from 1984 to 1989, managing director of Parbury Henty Holdings from 1987 to 1990, and managing director of Poynton Corporate from 1990 to 1992.  Between 1984 and 1990 Mr Hussey also held a number of directorships in public companies involved in retailing, wholesaling, pharmaceuticals, transport, venture capital and natural resources.

Mr Evans said the appointment coincided with the beginning of a crucial period for the TAB.

"A number of initiatives will be undertaken by the TAB to sustain the growth in turnover which has occurred over the past 12 months," he said.

"Race broadcasting, renegotiation of the franchise agents' agreement, and an increase in the TAB's marketing budget in association with the implementation of a marketing strategy, are all vitally important issues in terms of the future of the TAB.  I am confident Mr Hussey's experience and knowledge will prove invaluable to the organisation during what I expect to be a period of continued growth for the TAB."

Media contact: Tony Barker-May 481 3244