27 June 2001

Financial Centre Advisory Board Appointed

The Minister for Financial Services & Regulation, Joe Hockey, today set up a high-level advisory board to advise the Minister on making Australia a global financial centre.

The Axiss Advisory Board comprises 11 senior private sector people [see attachment], with experience in the areas of financial services, regulation, information technology and education. All members represent organisations with a global focus.

"These people are leaders in their fields and people who can provide advice and feedback on our plans to make Australia a global financial centre," the Minister said.

"This new advisory board will provide a mechanism for building a closer working relationship with the private sector and serve as a forum for receiving private sector advice and perspectives on the issues impacting upon Australias development as a financial centre."

Axiss Australia was set up by the Commonwealth Government in 1999 to position Australia as a global financial services centre in the Asia Pacific. Since its start, over 40 companies have established a presence or increased operations in the Australian financial sector.

Axiss's work includes marketing and promotional activities; the research and dissemination of data; facilitation and help for financial services companies already operating in and newly entering Australia; and advising government on policy affecting Australia's position as a global financial centre.

The Commonwealth Government recently renewed funding of $11.4 million over three years for Axiss.

27 June 2001

Media contact: Matthew Abbott, Minister's office, 0413 076213

The Axiss Australia Advisory Board comprises:

  • Mark Johnson (Chairman) - Executive Director, Advisory Division, Macquarie Bank
  • John McFarlane (Deputy Chairman) Chief Executive Officer, ANZ Banking Group
  • Robyn Burke Member and Councillor, Governing Council of Old Parliament House and Australia Business Arts Foundation
  • Berna Collier Consultant, Clayton Utz
  • Bev Durston Head of Portfolio Risk Management, BT Funds Management
  • Joan Fitzpatrick Chief Executive Officer, Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance
  • Anne Hatton Director, Finance and Professional Services, TMP Worldwide
  • Michael Kroger Chief Executive, JT Campbell and Co
  • John Masters Tax Partner, Financial Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Timothy Moore Chief Executive Officer, Hartley Poynton Ltd
  • Scott Reid Managing Director and Regional Executive Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, JP Morgan Chase