Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during a Q and A at an Institute of Public Affairs event in July.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is widely expected to announce the next governor of the Reserve Bank on Friday,with current governor Philip Lowe’s seven-year term set to expire in September and work under way to reformthe bank following the independent review.
“We’ll support the government when they make the announcement,but not if it’s somebody who is tainted,or can be seen to be tainted – even if it’s somebody of a very high calibre and character – and whether it’s been somebody that’s worked closely with the Liberal or Labor government before,” Dutton said on 2GB radio on Thursday morning.
“We don’t want somebody there who’s been involved in the political process at a senior level,and I think that’s a very important point to make,and we’ve made that clear to the government as well.”
Fraser,who was treasury secretary before becoming RBA governor in 1989,said public servants had a duty to offer frank and fearless advice to politicians.
Former RBA governor Bernie Fraser.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“There shouldn’t be any black mark against anyone that’s being considered who happens to be a public servant,” he said.
Fraser said it did not make any sense to argue that public services should not be considered for the position of governor.