Senior police officer to lead SA’s consumer watchdog
A senior police officer will take charge of South Australia’s consumer watchdog following the sudden resignation of his predecessor.
Senior police officer Brett Humphrey has been appointed commissioner of Consumer and Business Services, the state government announced today.
Humphrey has held various senior roles at South Australia Police for nearly 24 years, including as the officer in charge of strategy prosecution and as a human resources executive.
He is currently the officer in charge of the Licensing Enforcement Branch which polices liquor, tobacco, security, gaming, casinos, hydroponics and tattooing.
He also oversaw the operation of South Australia’s five COVID medi-hotels during the pandemic, as well as the adoption of body-worn cameras throughout the police force.
In his new role, which he is due to commence on January 6, Humphrey will be tasked with leading the agency charged with protecting the rights of South Australian consumers and ensuring businesses comply with legal obligations.
“With an increased focus on compliance, enforcement and investigations particularly in regard to the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, Brett is ideal as our new Commissioner,” said Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels.
“He already has a tremendous understanding of the illicit tobacco trade, and his time both on the beat in Hindley Street and later as head of the Licensing and Enforcement Branch means he has extensive experience in liquor and gambling as well.”
Humphrey will replace acting Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Steph Halliday.
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Halliday was appointed after the sudden resignation of the former head of Consumer and Business Services, Martyn Campbell, who was in the role for less than three months and left in September to take up a position in the private sector.
Campbell replaced Dini Soulio, who left in March to head up Super SA and, who according to reports in The Advertiser, is being investigated amid allegations of misconduct while he led the agency.
In a statement supplied to the paper in September, Soulio said: “I will cooperate with any investigation that the department undertakes. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time”.
The Advertiser also reported that the state government has launched a cultural review of Consumer and Business Services.
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