Those who, like Outsider, have long enough memories will recall that Coonan was a NSW Liberal Senator in the Howard Government where she climbed the ladder to become Assistant Treasurer and therefore the person responsible for the financial services portfolio.
She should therefore require little familiarisation with her upcoming role as the inaugural chairperson of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
Outsider notes that in announcing Coonan’s appointment, the current Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Kelly O’Dwyer noted her current or former positions on the boards of Snowy Hydro and the former Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority but neglected to note her financial services board positions.
Coonan is currently listed as the chairman of funds management outfit, Supervised Investments Australia, but Outsider feels sure that all concerned will move to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest when she next holds an office of profit under the crown.
