ACMA finds its man

The Australian Communications and Media Authority's search for a chief information officer is over with Cliff Van Lohuizen assuming the role on May 1.

A spokesperson from Van Lohuizen's current employer, CrimTrac, confirmed the move. CrimTrac assists police forces around the country with the provision of information and investigative tools to track down criminals.

Van Lohuizen has been CrimTrac's chief information officer (CIO) since September 2000, the spokesperson said, adding that the hunt for a replacement had begun.

He has had a distinguished career with the organisation, holding senior positions. During the 2005 Asian tsunami disaster, Van Lohuizen served as acting CEO.

ACMA -- which is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radio communications, telecommunications and online content -- began its search for a CIO early this year. At the time it was advertising a remuneration worth up to AU$164,000 for the Canberra-based role.

ACMA is currently embroiled in a row with renowned radio broadcaster Alan Jones. The regulator earlier this week deemed that the controversial personality had breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice in his broadcasts about Sydney's Cronulla riots in December 2005.

Jones denies the charge that the broadcast was likely to incite violence or brutality. He has claimed, according to a report in The Australian, that ACMA's findings were biased and based on complaints of people who do not listen to his show.