ACOSS Announces New President

Peak welfare body, the Australian Council of Social Service, has announced former Tasmanian Council of Social Service CEO, Tony Reidy, as its new President.

Reidy, who led the Tasmanian branch of the welfare organisation, TasCOSS, from early 2011 until his retirement in May 2015, will take over from outgoing President Micaela Cronin at the end of this year.

Reidy told Pro Bono Australia News that he was coaxed out of “semi-retirement”, where he had been working for city councils and other organisations, after being approached about the ACOSS position.

He said that his experience in corporate governance was “a little unique in the sector because of both the length and diversity of it, and the successes I’ve had”, which placed him in a position to tackle the challenges ACOSS would face.

“Given the work ahead for ACOSS, the reform challenges that are going to be taking place, that good, strong leadership and corporate governance at the federal level is going to be something which is essential,” Reidy said.

“ACOSS, because it has worked so hard in recent years to get a seat at the table in major national discussions such as tax reform, housing and homelessness, and particularly the disability reforms, the Board must make sure ACOSS has the resources to be able to maintain that key advocacy role it carries out in the national arena.”

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Tony Reidy as the new ACOSS President following our Annual General Meeting held in Sydney last week,” Dr Goldie said.

“Tony has an in-depth understanding of ACOSS and a strong commitment to the community and social services sector. As a Tasmanian he will be a strong voice for equality and justice for people living far away from the seat of national power in Canberra where the big decisions affecting our nation are invariably made.

“He has more than 30 years experience in public and private sector corporate governance, including in directorships, as a chairman, and as a Board member of many important organisations, including the ASX-listed MyState Bank.”

New ACOSS President, Tony Reidy.

Reidy will also be joined by a newly elected Board from the start of 2016.  

“I am also pleased to welcome several new members to the ACOSS board joining us for a two year term, taking effect from 1 January 2016,” Dr Goldie said.

“The ACOSS Board is an important foundation that provides strong and stable governance to ensure ACOSS continues to be a key stakeholder in Australian public policy development and a leading voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality in our country.”