Industry tributes have poured in following the passing of Anna McPhee, the former CEO of the Retail Council.
National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb said McPhee had been a mighty advocate on behalf of businesses.
“Anna’s passing will leave a large gap in the Australian business and political community,” Lamb said.
“It was always our pleasure at the NRA to work alongside Anna and her team in advocating policies and decisions that allowed business owners to do what they do best – generate prosperity and create jobs.
“Her no-nonsense approach to engaging with retailers, policy makers and – more recently – the political preselection process was an inspiration to us all.
“Australia already suffers a shortage of inspirational and capable female business leaders. We are worse off for having lost one of the best today.
“On behalf of the National Retail Association and its members, I offer our deepest sympathy to Anna’s loved ones.”
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has also expressed its sympathies at the passing of McPhee.
ARA Executive director Russell Zimmerman said it had been a pleasure at to work alongside Anna in advocating policies which assisted retailers.
“Anna’s passing will leave a prominent advocate missing in the business and political community,” Zimmerman said.
Retail Council former chairman Peter Birtles confirmed she was a retail pioneer.
“I would like to recognise the relationships Anna built with the government, regulators and other stakeholders, and for influencing positive outcomes for the industry through her work in the retail sector” in particular in the areas of trading hours and GST threshold.”