Council leadership

Meet The Councillors

The National Competition Council comprises four Councillors with diverse backgrounds and deep expertise across competition, regulation and economic reform. Appointed by the Governor‑General under section 29C of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and endorsed by a majority of states and territories, Councillors play a vital role in shaping reforms that strengthen Australia’s economy.

Each Councillor is appointed for a three‑year term commencing 18 February 2026, bringing fresh perspective, strong leadership and a renewed focus on nationally coordinated reform.

 

Marcus Bezzi - President

Mr Marcus Bezzi is a lawyer who brings extensive experience in competition policy, competition law enforcement, economic regulation and international engagement to his role.  He is also a part‑time, non‑resident Associate Commissioner of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission of Papua New Guinea.

He most recently served as Chief Adviser to the Competition Taskforce at the Australian Treasury (2023–2025) and has held senior executive roles at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, including as head of Competition Enforcement.  He was Executive General Manager of the ACCC Legal Service, and oversaw the ACCC Economics Advisory Team, Data Analytics Team and International Engagement Team.  He has worked to promote international cooperation in competition policy and enforcement in various ways including as a delegate to the OECD Competition Committee and through leadership of working groups within the International Competition Network.

Mr Bezzi has also held senior legal roles at the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Government Solicitor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University and a Master of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney.

 

Catherine Dermody

Ms Catherine Dermody is a barrister at the Victorian Bar with significant expertise in competition, regulation and public law. She advises and appears in complex matters across the energy, transport, telecommunications and water sectors.

Ms Dermody brings extensive public and private sector experience from prior roles at Gilbert + Tobin, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the UK Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

Ms Dermody is a co‑author of Access Regulation in Australia and holds advanced qualifications in law, including a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.

 

The Hon Dr Craig Emerson 

Dr Craig Emerson is a highly respected economist with four decades of experience across public policy, government and academia. He is Managing Director of Emerson Economics, Director of the APEC Study Centre at RMIT University, and holds academic appointments at the Australian National University and Victoria University.

Dr Emerson has held senior leadership roles across government and international institutions and brings deep expertise in economic reform, trade and competition policy. He holds a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University and degrees in economics from the University of Sydney and has served on the Council across multiple appointment periods.

 

Sally McMahon 

Ms Sally McMahon is an Economist with more than 30 years experience in economic reform with deep expertise in economic regulation and access in energy, water and transport markets. She has previously held senior executive roles in government, regulators, energy utilities and investment funds with interests in infrastructure and renewable energy portfolios. Ms McMahon has played a pivotal role in shaping access and pricing regimes and the evolution of Australia’s national electricity and gas markets.

Alongside her role as Councillor, Ms McMahon is a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission and serves as Independent Chair of several key market advisory bodies in Western Australia.

Ms McMahon holds an Honours degree in Economics from Flinders University, is a GAICD, and has served on the Council across multiple appointment periods.

 

Meet The Executive Director

An announcement about the Executive Director will be made shortly.