Outsider, in a previous life, spent far too much of his time sitting in Parliamentary Committee rooms and watching as Senators and Members of Parliament appeared to relish grilling public servants.
Thus, he thinks it worth mentioning that in her former life as Chair of the Senate Economics Committee, the new Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology, Senator Jane Hume, exhibited a surprising level of admiration for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
It seems that Hume was somewhat smitten by the appointment of Melbourne Queen’s Counsel, Daniel Crennan as the new deputy chair of ASIC, prompting the following exchange:
CHAIR: “I might kick off the questions—and I know that there are lots of questions this evening for ASIC. First of all, can I just say that when I was a young I used to watch Justice League. There was Superman with Batman, Aquaman and Wonder Woman—all these sorts of things. I swear to you that when I look out at the ASIC commissioner and deputy commissioners—all these wonderful people—I am actually so impressed with the calibre of people who you have recruited to ASIC, Mr Shipton. I think I’ve just called you Superman, which is probably inappropriate!”
Outsider notes that ASIC chair, James Shipton, whilst possibly tucking his cape out of sight, got on with business but did not demur.
Outsider cautions however that in politics and public service, today’s rooster can be tomorrow’s feather duster.
Add new comment