Consumer Protection has made two new appointments to its regional offices which enforce the Department’s commitment to service the needs of all consumers no matter where they live in WA.

Tom Chapman has been appointed as senior regional officer in Broome while Annetta Bellingeri has taken up a new position as South West regional coordinator in the Bunbury office.

Tom Chapman was a financial counsellor with the Broome Community Information Resource Centre for Learning and Education (Broome CIRCLE) before beginning his new role as senior regional officer for Consumer Protection.

Prior to that, he was case manager for Kimberley Employment Services at the Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation so has had many years’ experience helping the local community.

With degrees in psychology and commerce, Tom is well qualified to adapt his personal and professional education and experience to his new role.

“I grew up in the small country town of Katanning so I have gained a strong appreciation of community and the important connections that develop, especially when it can feel a long way from ‘the big smoke’,” Tom said.

“In my professional career I continue to learn, having now been employed in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and feel this diverse experience gives me an equally broad insight and understanding of various viewpoints.

“Volunteering both at home and whilst travelling and living overseas has afforded me great perspective and the ability to reflect on what I think is done well and what I believe can be improved. I have a genuine passion for justice and equity.

“In my former positions in Broome, I have helped people address barriers to employment and, as a financial counsellor, developed financial literacy in the community and advocated for people’s financial and consumer rights.

“I look forward to continuing this work for positive change across the Kimberley in my new role at Consumer Protection.”

Tom replaces Annetta Bellingeri who has moved to Bunbury. Annetta had been delivering Consumer Protection services from the Kimberley office since 2009, originally located in Kununurra but the office then moved to Broome in 2010.

“I look forward to continuing the work of assisting consumers, tenants and landlords in my new role in Bunbury and developing good relationships with stakeholders and the South West regional community,” Annetta said.

“My aim is to offer the highest possible level of service by utilising my 20 years of experience working mostly for community-based organisations and the public service in a regional area.

“I will be working hard with my team to resolve issues and educate people in the state’s South West about their rights and obligations under consumer and tenancy laws.”

Kimberley consumers who need assistance can contact our Broome office by emailing broome@dmirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 9191 8400. Consumers in the South West can contact our Bunbury office by emailing bunbury@dmirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 9722 2888.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@dmirs.wa.gov.au  

Tom Chapman 

Annetta Bellingeri