What else would you expect from the Howard Government?

Last week the Howard Government proudly announced the re-
appointment for a new three-year term the Commissioner of the 
Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC).

PHIAC's central functions are to monitor and regulate the private 
health insurance industry. It monitors compliance with the 
solvency and capital adequacy standards to ensure that private 
health insurers remain prudentially sound.

PHIAC is a statutory authority set up by government to monitor an 
industry so as to protect the public interest — as such one 
would normally expect a government to appoint an independent and 
impartial Commissioner.

Of course, the Howard Government would never let a Commonwealth 
statutory authority get in the way of big business, so true to 
form Mr Howard has reappointed the current Commissioner, MrGarry 
Richardson, to the position. 

Not only was he chosen because of his previous "extensive 
experience" in the industry but he is also currently the Chairman 
of the Board of two insurance companies!

To say Mr Richardson has a conflict of interest in the job would 
be a gross understatement.