Executive

Gareth Downing, Acting Chief Executive Officer

Gareth Downing - Deputy CEOGareth oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s policy work, community engagement and membership. His career has focused on policy and regulation and he has worked on policy across a number of regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and water.  Gareth is committed to advancing consumer’s interest through his leadership of ACCAN’s policy team.

Gareth has previously sat on the ACCAN board, and prior to that worked for ACCAN in the role of Senior Policy Analyst providing advice on a wide range of policy, economic regulation and pricing matters. Gareth holds tertiary qualifications in policy, economics and law.

 

Tanya Karliychuk, Director of Operations

Tanya KarliychukTanya oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s federally-funded Grants Scheme, commissioned research program, and consumer education program. She provides leadership ensuring ACCAN adheres to its values and advances its strategic direction. With extensive experience in research management within the Australian university and NFP sectors, combined with a background in international development, Tanya is especially focused on maximising the outcomes achieved from community-sector collaborations.

Tanya has driven the writing, winning and delivery of large government grants in the international development sector, as well as smaller community sector grants for various volunteer projects. She is currently Co-Convenor of the NSW Chapter of the Australasian Research Management Society. Tanya holds a Master of International Affairs from ANU and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from Macquarie University.

 


Media and Policy Staff

Alec Bennetts

Alec Bennetts photoAlec Bennetts is ACCAN's Media and Communications Officer. He oversees external ACCAN communications, including media releases, newsletters, website content, social media, and member communications, and ensures ACCAN is well-represented in national and local media. Alec has previously worked in policy research and political communications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.

 

Con Gouskos

Con Gouskos photoCon Gouskos leads ACCAN’s work on telecommunications consumer protections. Con regularly engages with financial counsellors and community legal centres concerning telecommunications consumer protections. Con holds a degree in International Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Certificate IV in Government from TAFE. He is currently working towards a Master of Administrative Law and Policy at the University of Sydney.

 

Sam Kininmonth

Sam Kininmonth photoSam Kininmonth leads the ACCAN policy team’s research work and engagement with the research sector. An experienced consumer advocate, Sam previously worked as a sessional academic. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction) from RMIT University. Sam is completing a PhD on digital media and automation in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at RMIT University.

 

Kelly Lindsay

Kelly Lindsay photoKelly leads the ACCAN policy team’s consumer engagement and outreach. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with a diverse range of consumer stakeholders and members. An experienced advocate at ACCAN, Kelly previously worked for the Queensland Government in areas of project coordination and stakeholder management in the built asset environment. 

 

Dr Amelia Radke

Dr Amelia RadkeDr Amelia Radke leads ACCAN's work on digital inclusion, with a particular focus on issues relating to the affordability and accessibility of services for First Nations Australians, regional, rural, and remote Australia, and vulnerable consumers. She has extensive experience in policy and research both in academic and non-government settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in anthropology and a PhD in legal anthropology from the University of Queensland.

 

Audrey Reoch

Audrey Reoch photoAudrey Reoch leads ACCAN’s work on infrastructure and economics policy. Audrey previously worked at the Department of Infrastructure and later Communications, where she represented Australia in the Universal Postal Union and International Telecommunication Union to advocate for international standards in the interests of Australian consumers. She holds an MA in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex and an Honours Degree in Political Economy from the University of Sydney.

 

David Swayn

David SwayneDavid leads ACCAN’s policy work for people with a disability. David has substantial experience working in disability advocacy and accessibility-based roles with responsibilities including systemic advocacy, project leadership, and regional and national engagement. David holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Business and is a committee member of the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OzeWAI). David has lived experience of disability.