Bountiful experiences as first mate takes the helm
At the time of writing, Australian Securities and Investments Commission chair, James Shipton remains stood aside awaiting a Treasury-instigated independent review of the six-figure sum paid by taxpayers to cover his tax advice.
That, and the resignation of his deputy, Daniel Crennan QC, meant that the running of ASIC fell to Shipton’s remaining deputy, the ever upwardly-mobile, Karen Chester, who found herself knee-deep in questions during Senate Estimates.
But Shipton should have been in no doubt that ASIC was in good hands in his absence, with Chester making clear that she and ASIC’s remaining commissioners, notwithstanding having been kept in the dark about the chairman’s trevails until September, had matters well under control and along with ASIC staff were getting on with the job.
“We are anything but drifting. We continue our work. We are busy doing our jobs,” Chester said.
What is more she said she had issued an all-staff message stating that accountability for the controversy resided with the ASIC commissioners, not with staff.
Chester said she believed there would be a bumpy road ahead for the next while and that if she was one of the staff she’d be angry and disappointed.
Outsider feels certain that Shipton would be greatly reassured by Chester’s efforts in his absence.
AUTHOR
The Outsider
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