The quiet campaigner

The new man in the hot seat at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is known as an advocate of consensus, unlike his very outspoken predecessor, Allan Fels. Graeme Samuel, a former lawyer and executive director of Macquarie Bank, favours quick resolutions for consumers over lengthy litigation. Nevertheless, he will be presiding over some key areas in 2004, particularly those involving the amended Trade Practices Act, which is likely to upset big business with its proposed formalisation of the M&A process. And Samuel, who took over as chairman last July, has a tough side. He has been vocal about stiffer criminal penalties for company executives who flout the law – and is throwing a spotlight this year on cartel busting and price fixing. The head of the ACCC spoke to Asiamoney's Sandra Fabbretti in Sydney.