ASIC spends $66,000 on Leader’s Forum
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has revealed it spent a relatively modest $66,000 in running its September Leaders Forum in Sydney.
The regulator has responded to a Senate Estimates question on notice from Liberal Senator, Michaelia Cash, to outline that its function at Sydney’s historic The Mint venue on 29 and 30 September involved approximately 79 ASIC staff, along with six external guests.
The theme of the Forum was “The Way Ahead – Pushing the curious to the proactive and among the topics under discussion was “Future-proofing leadership: Five strategic forces shaping the way forward”.
As part of the Future-proofing leadership theme, the Forum was addressed by founder and managing director of TalentCode HR who is described as “an award-winning global keynote speaker who specialises in people, performance strategy and productivity”.
The cost, as outlined by ASIC, is below the regulator’s budgeting of more than $90,000 for another event held in March.
The ASIC response revealed the regulator kicked off with a dinner on 29 September which entailed snacks on arrival and two courses together with a choice of three wines and three beers, soft drink, tea and coffee/
The second day of the Forum appeared to be much mor focused, entailing morning tea, lunch and afternoon, with no alcoholic beverages served.
Opening remarks to the dinner were delivered by ASIC deputy chair, Sarah Court with the dinner keynote delivered by academic and former ABC personality, Adam Spencer.
The second day of the Forum was opened by ASIC chair, Joe Longo,
ASIC has had a toxic anti adviser culture since the days of Medcraft and Kell, and this has been passed on through the likes of Press, Kirkland and many others. Rather than “future proofing” leadership, ASIC should be removing its biased leadership and overhauling its toxic culture.
Couldn’t agree more. The positions of a consumer advocate with regard to financial advice when now Commissioner Kirkland was there I find very challenging.
Undermines my confidence in ASIC being fair and balanced, that’s for sure.
Until they do better, it should be Moccona and a tin of Arnotts biscuits only.
It’s time that ASIC was subjected to a full review, including how they recruit. The culture there appears bizarre and ineffective.