Leading competition experts appointed as Government revitalises National Competition Council and launches major review to boost labour mobility

Appointment of President and Councillors

The Albanese Government has made key expert appointments to the National Competition Council to push ahead our ambitious productivity reform agenda.

The Government has appointed Mr Marcus Bezzi as the President and Ms Catherine Dermody, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson and Ms Sally McMahon as councillors to the National Competition Council for a three-year period beginning on 18 February 2026. These are all part time roles.

We’re getting more houses built, cutting red tape and boosting productivity, and the work of the Council is an important part of that agenda. 

We have tasked the Council with delivering its first major independent evaluation in more than 20 years – a review aimed at removing red tape that makes it harder for Australian workers to move seamlessly across state borders.

The work of the Council will support the Government’s push to strengthen and streamline the occupational licensing system to cut red tape and save tradies and engineers time and money. 

We’re making the system more efficient for businesses and workers in the electrical trades and engineering, occupations that are critical for housing and energy.

Review into Australia’s mutual recognition schemes for workers

The National Competition Council will lead an independent evaluation into the operation and effectiveness of Australia’s mutual recognition regimes.

The National Competition Council’s findings will be provided to the Council on Federal Financial Relations in July 2026. This will be the first major evaluation undertaken by the National Competition Council in over 20 years, reflecting the institution’s revitalisation and the important role that it will play in promoting productivity-enhancing reform.

The evaluation is required under the 2020 Intergovernment Agreement on the Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Registration, and will be used to progress the single national market for workers reforms agreed by all Treasurers under National Competition Policy in November 2025.

The National Competition Council will report on a broad range of issues affecting the experience of workers navigating mutual recognition schemes established by the Mutual Recognition Act 1992, including how they promote labour mobility and workforce flexibility while maintaining high standards.

These findings will provide an important evidence base for a tripartite group of experts from employers, unions and governments convened by Council on Federal Financial Relations to identify solutions that strengthen, streamline or replace current arrangements. 

Together, these initiatives will allow workers to operate seamlessly across state borders without reapplying for a separate licence or paying additional fees, making it easier for licensed workers to move to where they are needed most.

Appointee bios

Mr Bezzi previously served as Chief Advisor to the Competition Taskforce at the Australian Treasury, and held senior positions at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Ms Dermody has been a Barrister at the Victorian Bar since 2014. Her previous roles include Partner, Competition and Regulation and solicitor at Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers.

Dr Emerson is a part-time National Competition Council Councillor and Managing Director of Emerson Economics. He is a former federal minister across education, trade, small business and competition policy.

Ms McMahon is a part‑time National Competition Council Councillor, a part‑time Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission, and the part-time Independent Chair of the Market Advisory Committee, Pilbara Advisory Committee and Gas Advisory Board.

These appointments will continue the high level of skills and experience available to the National Competition Council.

The reappointment of Ms McMahon and the appointment of Ms Dermody continue the Government’s strong record of appointing outstanding women to key government roles.

National Competition Council Background

The National Competition Council is established under section 29A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA). Its functions include advising ministers on access and declaration matters under National Access Regime (Part IIIA of the CCA), independently assessing and advising on jurisdictions’ progress in implementing National Competition Policy reforms and principles, and raising public awareness of competition policy.

The Government expects the National Competition Council to foster an open, national conversation on competition reform, engaging stakeholders to bring forward new ideas and opportunities for National Competition Policy (NCP).

The National Competition Council is reclaiming this expanded role under National Competition Policy as a driver of Australia’s competition reform agenda. As an independent expert body, its priorities are outlined in an annual work plan agreed by all governments. This includes assessing state government progress on National Competition Policy reforms, providing authoritative advice on implementation of national competition principles and leading targeted thematic reviews with governments.

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