The competition watchdog has appointed Luke Woodward to the commissioner vacancy left by Liza Carver, who departed in May.  

Mr Woodward will serve a five-year term on his return to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission after more than two decades away.  

He was the ACCC’s senior assistant commissioner for mergers and asset sales from 1993 to 1996, before becoming general counsel and compliance division EGM.  

He left the commission in 2000 to join law firm Gilbert + Tobin, where he spent 22 years as a partner and head of the competition and regulation group.  

Mr Woodward most recently served as a partner and head of Australian competition law at King & Wood Mallesons.  

Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb says Mr Woodward’s “expertise and experience across a wide range of fields relevant to the work of the ACCC is recognised not only in Australia but globally.

“Luke’s strong litigation experience will be an asset to the ACCC’s work, particularly in our enforcement program and in Australia’s new merger regime.”