Meet the team
Our team is comprised of a number of curious, committed and collaborative people with expertise spanning public policy, consumer engagement and outreach, regulation, law reform, psychology and social policy.
We recognise the importance of diversity in skills and understanding when tackling complex policy challenges, and this is a significant reason we often collaborate through our work – building shared understanding of benefits and risks of various approaches to consumer policy.
Erin Turner
Chief Executive Officer
Erin Turner is a consumer advocate that works with governments and regulators to make markets fairer for Australians.
She joined CPRC in March 2022, bringing experience in governance, policy, communications and research. Erin most recently led the advocacy and communications team at consumer group CHOICE and previously worked for not-for-profits including ACCAN and the CBAA.
Erin has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Politics and Public Policy. Erin is currently a board member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) and the Chair of the Financial Rights Legal Centre.
Chandni Gupta
Digital Policy Director
Chandni joined CPRC in July 2021, bringing compliance and community engagement experience from various state and federal agencies. She most recently designed and led the online compliance initiative for product safety at the ACCC, working closely with digital marketplaces to deliver safer outcomes for Australian consumers.
She also brings a global perspective from experience in the Strategic Communications arm of the United Nations, and most recently leading global consumer policy development in product recall effectiveness at the OECD.
A tech geek earlier in her career, she’s passionate about digital products and markets that are safe, accessible, and meaningful for consumers. But also loves high quality analogue style paper and notebooks.
Chandni holds a Bachelor of Information Technology (Information Systems) and a Master of Business (specialising in public relations).
Chandni leads CPRC’s Consumers in a Digital World workstream and can be reached at: chandni.gupta@cprc.org.au.
Kristal Burry
Policy and Program Director
Kristal joined CPRC in July 2021 bringing with her extensive experience in the energy and water sectors. She most recently worked for the federal government on a range of energy issues from electricity and gas pipeline regulation through to residential energy efficiency measures. Before that she worked at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre as part of their Energy and Water Advocacy team.
Kristal has worked across academia, government, and not-for-profit sectors. She is passionate about ensuring cities and infrastructure work for people and are designed and managed to support peoples social and economic opportunities.
Kristal has a Bachelor of Science, Honours (Parasitology) and Master of Integrated Water Management. She is currently studying an MBA in Social Impact.
Kristal can be reached at: Kristal.burry@cprc.org.au
Ben Martin Hobbs
Senior Research and Policy Manager
Ben joined CPRC in 2015. His work has focused on consumer choice in complex markets, considering in particular the implications of behavioural economics for policymakers and regulators in the design and stewardship of consumer markets. He was a lead researcher on CPRC’s COVID-19 consumer survey and has managed a number of CPRC’s collaborative research partnership projects with academics at LaTrobe University, University of Technology Sydney and RMIT’s Behavioural Business Lab.
Ben also currently sits on the Consumer Panel of the Victorian Legal Services Board. He has previously worked at the University of Melbourne in Chancellery Operations, and in market research consulting.
Ben has a Master of Public Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, and has undertaken further study in Impact Evaluation also at the University of Melbourne.
Ben can be reached at: ben.martinhobbs@cprc.org.au