Robert Fitzgerald - Commissioner

Robert Fitzgerald AM

Commissioner

Robert Fitzgerald was appointed as a full-time Commissioner in January 2004 and been recently reappointed until 2014.

Robert is a Commissioner on the current inquiry into Caring for Older Australians.

He has previously been a Commissioner on the following inquiries:

• Gambling (2009)
• Australia's Consumer Policy Framework
• Australia's Health Workforce
• Australia's Gambling Industries (1999)
• Consumer Product Safety
• Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector
• Executive Remuneration
• National Competition Policy Arrangements
• Paid Parental Leave
• Smash Repair and Insurance Industries
• Standards and Accreditation

He is the convenor of the Indigenous Disadvantage Working Group of the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision which produces the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators report.

Robert has a diverse background and extensive experience in commerce, law, public policy and community services. Prior to being appointed to the Commission, Robert was the Community and Disability Services Commissioner and Deputy Ombudsman in NSW.

Robert practiced as a commercial lawyer in NSW for over 20 years, including with the firm Clayton Utz, and established his own law practice specialising in franchising, licensing and trade practices. During that same time he was engaged as a senior management consultant, including with Horwath Accountants and Management Consultants (now Deloitte), as well as holding senior executive positions with a number of private trading companies.

His involvement in public policy has been extensive and includes serving as a member of the National Competition Council for five years (1999-2003). Robert was Chair of the Commonwealth Taskforce on Franchising Regulation, Chair of the Franchising Code Administration Council, member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Social Security and member of the Commonwealth Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations.

For over 30 years he has also been involved in a voluntary capacity in numerous community services. He is currently a Director of The Benevolent Society and Foyer Foundation.

Robert's previous community sector involvement included:

• President - Australian Council of Social Service
• Chair - National Roundtable of Nonprofit Organisations
• State President - St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW)
• Chair - JOBfutures Ltd (a national network of community job market providers)
• National Committee Member - Caritas Australia
• Board Director - Families Australia and the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies

In addition, Robert serves on a number of university advisory boards, including the Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies Advisory Board, and the Australian Catholic University Community Engagement Advisory Committee and previously the University of Sydney Law School Advisory Board.

Robert holds degrees in commerce and law from the University of NSW. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994, is a recipient of the Centenary medal, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Australian Catholic University in 2001, and is now an Adjunct Professor at that University.