Mandarin recognised for protecting and promoting consumer rights

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ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard is the inaugural winner of the Law Council of Australia’s Consumer Rights Award.

The gong was established by the peak body representing Australian lawyers to recognise the skills, interests and contributions of those committed to the development and implementation of the law and practices in this field.

Rickard has held her current role at the ACCC since 2012 and she sits on the commission’s committees for competition exemptions, communications, consumer data right, enforcement and compliance and product safety.

She is an associate member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority and in 2000 was appointed as a Senior Executive at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where she was responsible for consumer issues in banking, financial literacy and capability.

In a statement, the LCA said Rickard’s earlier career demonstrated a strong interest in financial services, including the impact of the financial services industry on vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers.

“Ms Rickard’s work in consumer protection started in 1990 when she was an adviser to the Minister for Justice & Consumer Affairs Senator the Hon Michael Tate. 

“From 1992 to 1993 she served as Chief of Staff to Consumer Affairs Minister, the Hon Jeanette McHugh, before being appointed as a Senior Executive, in charge of the Consumer Protection Branch, at the Trade Practices Commission,” the statement read. 

Rickard is a decorated public servant and has been recognised with a Public Service Medal in 2011 for her contribution to consumer protection and financial services. She has also been awarded the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award.

In her spare time Rickard offers her services as a trustee of the Jan Pentland Foundation, which provides scholarships for those who want to work as financial counsellors. She is also chair of the Good Shepherd’s Advisory Committee on Financial Inclusion Action Plans. 

LCA president Tass Liveris said he could not think of a more deserving recipient for the award. 

“For over 30 years, Ms Rickard has dedicated her career to consumer protection,” he said. 

Rickard was presented with the award on Tuesday evening by Justice Michael Lee at the Consumer Rights Forum.