No clear signs of Patterson returning

Ross Patterson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Five months after Ross Patterson stepped down as telecommunications commissioner for health reasons there is still no indication of when he will return.

Asked yesterday about his future, Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock and Commerce Minister Simon Power passed the buck.

The commission referred queries to Power and he declined to comment, saying he was waiting for a report from the commission.

Paula Rebstock - who is expected to seek reappointment to the commission when her term ends next month - has been filling in for Patterson.

Ernie Newman, chief executive of the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand, said: "There is a strong feeling within the industry that it would be good to get Ross Patterson back".

Patterson joined as commissioner after a long search in July 2007, but stood down 15 months later.

In September last year it was announced Patterson would be taking a leave of absence for health reasons.

Rebstock said at the time: "Dr Patterson has asked me to convey that his health issue is alcohol-related and that he is seeking the appropriate treatment.

"The commission will provide Dr Patterson with the support it would give to any staff member in similar circumstances."

Patterson could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Newman said he understood that Patterson was ready and that the industry would welcome his return to the arena.

The commission and the minister yesterday declined to comment on how much longer the commission would operate without a telecommunications commissioner.

The commission is currently under pressure to deal with key regulatory issues. Telecom and Vodafone are challenging the commission's decision to make an inquiry into termination charges.

In addition to the absence of Patterson, Donal Curtin has stepped down during an inquiry into a financial advisory group.

Curtin has been on the commission's board since 2001 and was promoted at the end of July last year by the then Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel for a five-year term.

At the time, industry commentators expressed surprise because Curtin was, until just a few weeks earlier, chairman of troubled financial advisory group Vestar's investment committee.

That investment committee was facing possible legal action from a group of at least 45 investors for giving them poor advice and pouring millions into finance companies which have since hit trouble.