Nowhere to hide for Optus’ O’Sullivan on ICAC question
By Samantha Hutchinson and Stephen Brook
March 3, 2022 — 6.00am
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On Monday former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian stepped into her post-politics best life and Optus’s Macquarie Park headquarters to re-ignite her previously high-flying corporate career.
Readers will recall the telco giant went public with its hiring in early February. Chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin praised the Liberal heavyweight as a “gamechanger” in her new role as head of enterprise, technology and institutional.
Paul O’Sullivan and Gladys Berejiklian.CREDIT:JOHN SHAKESPEARE
The 600-pound missing gorilla in the press release was the fact that the popular former pollie was investigated by the NSW corruption watchdog over her secret relationship with disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is yet to hand down its final report on whether Our Glad breached public trust or encouraged corrupt conduct.
But insiders say a draft report is finished and has been quietly circulated to relevant parties ahead of an April release. Whatever its findings, adverse or otherwise — the spectre of the report seems well and truly on the telco’s mind, as Optus chair Paul O’Sullivan made clear on Wednesday.
At the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Australian Governance Summit in Melbourne on Wednesday, O’Sullivan was asked a classic question on governance — about the telco’s decision to hire Berejiklian amid the black clouds of the ICAC investigation.
On stage, the Western Sydney Airport chair and close confidante of Communications Minister Paul Fletcher was effusive singing Berejiklian’s praises before acknowledging the company would have “to see how ICAC plays out though…”
Given the NSW corruption watchdog’s idiosyncratic approach to media management and its legendary ability to set its own — rather languid — timelines, an April release date seems rather speedy to us.
When contacted for further comment on O’Sullivan’s remarks, the company was tightlipped. “We have no further comments on Gladys’ appointment.” Let’s see how that changes in April.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Singtel employs Gladys Berejiklian despite corruption investigation and Communist Party China links - links include ISA detainee Khoo Ee Liam who supported the Malaysian Communist Party
by Ganesh Sahathevan
Australia's ABC and others have reported:
Just months after she quit as NSW premier during a corruption investigation, Gladys Berejiklian has been appointed to an executive role at telecommunications giant Optus
Ms Berejiklian will take on the newly created role of managing director, enterprise, business and institutional.
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said Ms Berejiklian was a proven leader who demonstrated strength, discipline and composure during her time as premier.
Optus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singtel. The company's full name is SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LIMITED , Singtel is owned by Temasek, the Government Of Singapore's investment arm.
The Singapore Government is very, very serious about eradicating corruption. A Singapore politician under investigation for corruption would never have been appointed to any position in any Temasek company, or any other Singapore GLC.
The Government Of Singapore has also a long history of fighting communist, especially those from China. Ms Berejuiklian on the other has sort support from Communist Party China operatives, including members of the United Front, and most troubling, one William Chiu Otherwise known as Khoo Ee Liam,he had been detained under the ISA in Malaysia for supporting the Malaysian Communist Party.
Singapore politicians with such links have usually ended up in prison, and they too would never have been appointed to any position in any Temasek company, or any other Singapore GLC.
TO BE READ WITH
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