Simon Birmingham takes ANZ job as head of Asia Pacific engagement
ANZ has appointed former senior Liberal Simon Birmingham as its head of Asia Pacific engagement and chair of its South Australian branch as a pre-Christmas shadow cabinet reshuffle that will name his replacement on the opposition frontbench firms.
Birmingham’s appointment is aimed at helping the bank accelerate the growth of its institutional division and assert dominance in the Asia region.
Simon Birmingham delivered his valedictory speech to the Senate last week.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In a statement on Thursday, ANZ said Birmingham would report to institutional group executive Mark Whelan and work closely with chief executive Shayne Elliott when he joins the bank on February 3.
“Simon Birmingham has had a distinguished career as a senator for South Australia and Australian cabinet minister,” Elliott said. “His significant experience and knowledge of trade, investment and the economies and governments of the Asia Pacific, will help ANZ and our customers to create opportunities across the region.”
Birmingham’s new role with ANZ does not break any post-parliamentary career rules and does not involve lobbying. Instead, it will focus on driving commercial investment between Australia and Asia, where ANZ has the largest presence of any Australian bank.
Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley, home affairs spokesman James Paterson and immigration spokesman Dan Tehan are the three frontrunners to replace Birmingham in the foreign affairs portfolio, while finance spokeswoman Jane Hume – although well regarded – is out of the running because of the looming election.
One plan floated by Coalition MPs, who asked not to be named so they could speak freely, was for either Paterson or Tehan to combine their current portfolios of home affairs and immigration – as Labor has done with Home Affairs minister Tony Burke – and for the other to take on the role of foreign affairs spokesman.
The portfolio is seen as better suited to a senator, given the amount of overseas travel involved, which would place Paterson in the box seat.
But Victorian senator Paterson is a key ally of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and is widely regarded as having done an excellent job in his domestic portfolio, which will continue to be a key point of difference with Labor headed into the election.
