Dr Hugh Sibly, senior lecturer in economics at the University of Tasmania and federal magistrate Rolf Driver have been recruited to the Tribunal. They join re-appointed members Dr Rhonda Smith, senior lecturer in economics at the University of Melbourne, Justice Emmett of the Federal Court of Australia, and Professor Dennis Pearce, emeritus professor and visiting fellow at the Australian National University College of Law.

“The two new appointees will ensure the work and efficiency of the Copyright Tribunal will benefit from high levels of expertise in the areas of law, economics and business,” Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said.

Sibly has taught at the University of Tasmania as a senior lecturer since 1992, and has been a consultant and assistant commissioner to a series of reviews by the Government Prices and Oversight Commission in Tasmania. He holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Economics from Monash University and a Bachelor of Science from ANU.

A federal magistrate since 2000, Driver previously worked for the Australian Government Solicitor, practising in general civil litigation. He also served in the Attorney-General’s Department in intellectual property, legal aid, administrative law and Federal Courts and Tribunals administration. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from ANU.

Established under the Copyright Act 1968, the Tribunal’s mandate is to arbitrate disputes between copyright collecting societies and their licensees over copyright licence fees.