Patricia Blake
January 2023 - Current
Patricia Blake (known as Trish) became Commissioner for Consumer Protection and Executive Director for Consumer Protection in January 2023.
Prior to becoming Commissioner Trish has been the Director of Retail and Services within Consumer Protection and worked in the Legislation and Policy Directorate of Consumer Protection for more than 13 years. Trish is a great advocate for residential tenancies, scam prevention, human rights and product safety. Trish is a regular guest on ABC Perth’s Drive program, 6PR’s Perth Live program and often features in Consumer Protection television interviews.
Trish had primary responsibility for the review of and amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the creation of the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020, which implemented the moratorium on rent increases and on some evictions. The legislation created the Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service to assist landlords and tenants resolve disputes during the emergency period of which Trish assisted in establishing and managing for the first six months of its operation. Prior to COVID, Trish’s other most notable achievement was the implementation of the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Act 2019, which amended the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 to provide people who have been subjected to family violence with more options and better outcomes in relation to their tenancy agreement.
Trish has a law degree and is admitted to practice in Western Australia. She also has a degree with Honours in Social Work and a Post Graduate qualification in Public Policy and taught in the Murdoch University’s International Human Rights program for a number of years. Prior to working for the Department, Trish spent many years working in Community Legal Centres in WA.
Previous Commissioners
Gary Newcombe
May 2021 - December 2022
Gary was appointed as Commissioner for Consumer Protection in May 2021 until his retirement in December 2022.
Gary Newcombe has over 40 years’ experience in the Commonwealth and State public sectors and the Western Australian Parliament, primarily in the areas of legal services; corporate investigations; policy development; community education and service delivery. Gary served for 21 years as a Director with Consumer Protection, including numerous periods in the Commissioner’s role. During his time at Consumer Protection, Gary led the establishment of Consumer Protection's consumer education program, the implementation of FuelWatch, the development and implementation of the Australian Consumer Law in WA and the creation of the Consumer Protection Awards.
Lanie Chopping
January 2020 - May 2021
Lanie first joined Consumer Protection in 2011 as Manager of Retail, Building and Services and later became Director of that area. Before joining Consumer Protection, Lanie held a senior position at the Economic Regulation Authority, was the Manager – Social Policy Unit, at the West Australian Council of Social Services, and also worked in community legal centres, including in the Pilbara region.
In May 2021, Lanie Chopping left Consumer Protection to become the interim Director General for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
David Hillyard
December 2015 - January 2020
David Hillyard worked with Consumer Protection for over 43 years. He was appointed as Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection in December 2015 prior to becoming Commissioner in 2017 until his retirement in January 2020. Prior to this, he was the Director of Consumer Protection’s Retail and Services Directorate.
David was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the areas of consumer protection and fair trading in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honour List announced by the Governor-General.
