New trade commissioners to invigorate Victoria's overseas presence
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23 December 2008
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Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, said Victoria’s Government Business Offices will strive hard to secure new investment for the state during the global financial crisis as the government appointed five new commissioners to represent Victoria overseas.
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Mr Brumby said over the past eight years the Victorian Government Business Offices had attracted over $8.7 billion worth of foreign direct investment for the state and the new commissioners would help to reap further rewards for the Victorian economy.
“Now more than ever we need to make sure we identify and benefit from every possible opportunity to boost our economy,” Mr Brumby said.
“These Commissioners will help attract investment, jobs and visitors to Victoria. They have the skills, qualifications and experience to ensure we continue to attract new investment into our state and help Victorian companies boost their exports.”
Effective from 1 February the following commissioners have been appointed for three years:
John Butler will serve as Commissioner for Dubai. Mr Butler has previously worked as the Marketing Manager Leisure for Australian Airlines, the Director of Sales and Marketing (Australia and New Zealand) for the Hertz Corporation, Vice President Sales and Marketing for Gulf Air and the Regional General Manager for Qantas Airways.
Tim Dillon will serve as Commissioner for Kuala Lumpur. Mr Dillon holds a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Asian Studies. He has previously worked in the ACT Chief Minister’s Department, the Office of the ACT Deputy Chief Minister and for Invest Victoria. He is currently the Executive Director of the VGBO in Tokyo.
Andre Haermeyer will serve as Commissioner for Frankfurt. Mr Haermeyer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science & Economics). He has previously worked as a hotel manager, researcher various Federal Members of Parliament and served as the Member for Yan Yean and as the Member for Kororoit, including holding the positions of Minister for Manufacturing & Export, Financial Services and Small Business, and Minister for Police & Emergency Services and Corrections in the Victorian Parliament.
Prue Holstein will serve as the Commissioner for Tokyo. Ms Holstein holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration. She has previously worked as the Executive Assistant to the Japanese Chairman of Rio Tinto, as a Trade Commissioner for Austrade and was recently the Executive Director of the Australasia Centre of the Asian Society.
Victor Perton will serve as Victoria’s Commissioner for San Francisco. Mr Perton holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Laws, a diploma of Chinese law and Masters of Laws. He has previously worked as a barrister, businessman and as the Member for Doncaster in the Victorian Parliament.
Mr Brumby congratulated the new commissioners on their appointments and said he looked forward to the Offices’ continued success.
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