'Where's Norris?', asks Storm inquirers
An Opposition member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services has expressed his disappointment that Commonwealth Bank (CBA) chief executive Ralph Norris will not be appearing at hearings in Sydney this Friday to discuss the bank’s involvement with Storm Financial.
National Party senator John Williams said he had expected that Norris, as head of the Commonwealth Bank, would appear before the committee, and referenced previous statements by the chief executive.
“Mr Norris, in a statement on 17 June, said he was committed to the identification and resolution of all issues relating to the bank’s involvement with Storm Financial,” Senator William said.
“Mr Norris even signed the CBA’s submission to the inquiry, yet the committee has been advised he will not be one of the witnesses.”
He said he believed the failure of Norris to appear was unacceptable and that he would be asking the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, Bernie Ripoll, to exert pressure on Norris to make an appearance.
“This inquiry is trying to determine what went wrong so that we as legislators may be able to prevent such happenings in the future,” Senator Williams said.
“It is imperative frank and open evidence is given by key players.”
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