I am pleased to announce that I have decided to appoint three new board members to the Northwest Regional Development Agency. These are: Clive Elphick and David Goldie, to fill the two vacant business positions, and Frank Hont to fill the trade union vacancy.

Regional development agencies are playing a crucial role in addressing short-term issues as well as maintaining a long-term vision to help build a resilient economy for the future. The appointees to the Northwest Regional Development Agency board bring a wealth of experience and knowledge which will be extremely valuable to the contribution that the board can make towards the region’s economic recovery.

The appointments will commence on the 1 March 2010 and expire on 13 December 2012.

I have placed further details of these appointments, including biographies, in the Libraries of both Houses. I can confirm that the appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments code of practice.