ACTF News

The Hon Helen Coonan, former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, has joined the Board of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).

Announcing the appointment, Chairman Janet Holmes à Court AC, said “Our industry is experiencing huge changes and the ACTF needs to develop new strategies in order to best meet the needs of Australian child audiences. Helen brings unique and unparalleled expertise in media and communications policy, with a background both in Government and the private sector, and we are thrilled to have her join us at this exciting and challenging time.”

Helen Coonan remarked that “I got to know the ACTF when I was the Minister for Communications and the Arts. They impressed me as a small, but effective organisation doing great work in supporting content made especially for Australian children, which is then exported all over the world. The ACTF is also very engaged in how the media is evolving and right back then they were floating the idea of a digital children’s channel to serve the audience better. Now the audience is moving in all sorts of directions, but Australian children and their families still want access to great Australian content. I’m looking forward to working with the team at the ACTF as we meet the challenges and opportunities that now face us.”

Helen Coonan was a Senator for NSW from 1996–2011, and also served as Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate. She held Ministerial portfolios, in Cabinet, as the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and prior to that as the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer.

With a background as a commercial lawyer, barrister and mediator in Australia and New York, Helen has a proven track record of leading stakeholders through major economic reforms and handling complex policy settings, especially where public policy and regulation intersect with business interests.

After 15 years in Parliament, including nine years on the front bench, Helen stepped down to take up commercial opportunities in the corporate sector. Helen’s current appointments include directorships of Crown Resorts Limited, Snowy Hydro Limited and Obesity Australia. She is the Chair of Supervised Investments Australia Limited a member of the JP Morgan Advisory Council and Aon Risk Services Australia, Board of Advice. Helen is a consultant to Samsung and to Qantium (data analysts). She is the Chair of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Crown Resorts Foundation. She also co-chairs GRACosway (member of Clemenger Group) and is a consultant to the Allegis Group.

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