The Albanese Government has appointed four Federal Court judges as part‑time Deputy Presidents of the Australian Competition Tribunal, strengthening the body responsible for reviewing major competition decisions - including those under Australia's new merger regime.
The Hon Justices Jonathan Beach, Catherine Button, Cameron Moore and Penelope Neskovcin have been appointed for five‑year terms beginning 26 March 2026.
The appointments come as the Tribunal takes on an expanded role reviewing decisions of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) under the Government's new merger regime. The new regime began operating on a voluntary basis on 1 July 2025 and became mandatory on 1 January 2026.
The Tribunal operates under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and reviews a range of significant competition and access decisions, including:
- ACCC determinations approving or not approving proposed mergers and acquisitions
- ACCC decisions authorising conduct that would otherwise breach competition law
- Decisions by the ACCC or relevant Minister regarding third‑party access to nationally significant infrastructure, including telecommunications services
- ACCC decisions on exclusive dealing notifications
- Decisions relating to international liner cargo shipping.
Justice Beach was appointed to the Federal Court on 30 June 2014. He was admitted to practice in 1984 as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, joined the Victorian Bar in 1987 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1999.
Justice Button was appointed to the Federal Court on 16 January 2023. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria in 2000, joined the bar in 2007 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2018. Justice Button served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria from 2021 to 2023.
Justice Moore was appointed to the Federal Court on 18 December 2024. Admitted as a legal practitioner in New South Wales in 1993, he practised as a barrister from 1998 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011.
Justice Neskovcin was appointed to the Federal Court on 8 February 2024. She was admitted to practice in Tasmania in 1994 and in Victoria in 1995, was called to the bar in 2002 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2016.
These appointments ensure the Tribunal continues to draw on deep judicial expertise in overseeing important competition law decisions affecting Australian consumers and businesses.
