ADJUNCT PROFESSOR ROD STOWE PSM, FRSN
Career summary
Rod Stowe formally retired from the NSW Public Service in November 2018 following a distinguished career spanning 41 years.
Over this period, Rod spent 30 years in the Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs portfolio where he held various positions, including six years as Commissioner for Fair Trading. Other roles included Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner for Policy & Strategy, Director of Customer Services and Ministerial Adviser. Prior to these appointments, Rod had postings in agencies covering environmental protection, education and youth affairs, local government and state superannuation.
Best known for his achievements in consumer protection, Rod became a familiar public figure through his regular media appearances as Fair Trading Commissioner and was one of the architects of the Australian Consumer Law. He also championed the introduction of the groundbreaking NSW Consumer Complaints Register and oversaw the successful implementation of the Consumer Protection Strategy for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Since his retirement, Rod has continued to be involved in consumer and community advocacy, representing consumer interests on a number of Boards and Committees. In 2023 Rod was appointed an Adjunct Professor in the Law School at Western Sydney University and in 2024 he became a member of TransGrid’s Consumer Advisory Council, having previously served as its Landowner and Community Advocate from November 2020 until May 2024.
National Trust & Heritage Advocacy Rod has been the Chair of the Blue Mountains Branch of the National Trust since 2017 and is a well respected member of the heritage community in the Blue Mountains. His enthusiastic advocacy for heritage conversation has earned him a place on numerous local heritage bodies including the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Associations (where he is currently President), Norman Lindsay Gallery Advisory Committee and BMCC’s Heritage Advisory Reference Group.
In 2022 Rod received a National Trust Commendation Award in recognition of his “consistent and outstanding voluntary service and dedication to the work of the Trust and Blue Mountains Branch”.
Awards
. 2011 – Pubic Service Medal, Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
. 2016 – Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals, Lifetime Achievement Award.
. 2017 – Choice’s Consumer Champion Award.
. 2018 – NSW Government’s Meritorious Service Award.
. 2022 – National Trust’s Commendation Award
Board membership
. Chair, Super Consumers Australia (2017 – 2025).
. Chair, Consumer Advocacy Trust (2017 – present)
. Member, Energy and Water Ombudsman Board NSW (2019 – 2025).
. Member, State Insurance Regulatory Authority Board (2018 – 2024).
. Member, NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board (2021 – 2024).
Organisational and Committee membership
. Member, Master of Construction Law Advisory Committee, Western Sydney University
. Chair, Commonwealth Government’s Independent Energy Appointments Selection Panel
. Member, TransGrid’s Consumer Advisory Council.
. Chair, Blue Mountains Branch, National Trust (NSW)
. President, Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations
. Member, Norman Lindsay Gallery Advisory Committee
. Member, Blue Mountains City Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee
. Member, Blue Mountains City Council’s Katoomba Master Planning Stakeholder Reference Group
. Member, Blue Mountains City Council’s Planetary Health Centre Precinct Plan Focus Group
. Member, National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Grand Cliff Top Walk Reference Group
. Chair, Leura Community Alliance
. Committee Member, Sublime Escarpment Community Association
. Convener, Gladstone Road Precinct Committee
. Member, Treeline Lurline Steering Committee
. Member, Blue Mountains Hospital Advocacy Group
. Fellow, Royal Society of NSW
. Member, National Parks Association of NSW
