After spending 43 years fighting for the consumer rights of everyday Western Australians, David Hillyard is retiring as Commissioner for Consumer Protection after taking a period of leave.
Before taking over the reins of Commissioner four years ago, David worked in many senior management roles where he was responsible for the regulation of the retail, service industries, motor vehicle sales and repair industries as well as the incorporated association and charity sectors.
He first joined the public sector in 1972 as a junior clerk in Crown Law and was promoted to the Department of Labour and Industry in July 1977 before joining Fair Trading. David worked his way up from his role as a complaints officer to that of investigations officer and by 1987 he was a senior investigations officer with Consumer Affairs.
He became Manager Residential Tenancies in January 1990, Manager Services Industries in July 1995, Manager Building and Tenancies in July 1999 and Director Industry and Consumer Services in September 2004.
His achievements were recognised in 2011 with a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the areas of consumer protection and fair trading in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List.
DMIRS Director General David Smith acknowledged David’s exceptional career, saying he had made a significant contribution to WA consumers, the Department and the public sector.
“Throughout his outstanding career, Dave is recognised as an inspirational leader of the community he serves and the staff he manages. He is also a familiar face and voice in the community because of his commitment to using various media outlets, including radio and television interviews, to raise awareness of consumer rights,” Mr Smith said.
“Dave has driven and inspired the Consumer Protection culture over the decades to be passionate but fair in all of its dealings with the community. I wish him well in retirement.”
A permanent appointment to the role of Commissioner will be announced in due course but, in the meantime, Lanie Chopping will assume the role.