Morrison hints at more casualties of banking inquiry as AMP boss quits

Treasurer Scott Morrison is not surprised by the resignation of AMP's chief executive following the shocking revelations at the banking royal commission.

Combo image of AMP CEO Craig Meller and Treasurer Scott Morrison

Combo image of AMP CEO Craig Meller and Treasurer Scott Morrison Source: AAP

Treasurer Scott Morrison is unsurprised by the about the financial giant uncovered by a royal commission.

Mr Meller was due to retire at the end of the year, but stood down on Friday with immediate effect.

He apologised "unreservedly" for scandals involving AMP and said he was "personally devastated" for its customers.

Mr Morrison seemed to suggest it was likely more heads would roll as a result of disturbing evidence aired at the commission.

"Let's not forget, it's not just chief executives here," the treasurer told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.



"At the end of the day, the boards of these organisations are the custodians, really, of the governance, and I am sure that that will have plenty of attention, as the commission carries on its important work."

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said Mr Meller's resignation was an obvious consequence of the commission's work.

"Obviously some of the news that has emerged in the royal commission is very concerning indeed and this is obviously one of the consequences out of that process," Senator Cormann told Sky News from Washington.

AMP's share price has been in freefall all week after its executives admitted to charging clients for advice they never received, and repeatedly lying to the corporate watchdog.



Labor finance spokesman Jim Chalmers said it was appropriate for the AMP chief executive to go.

"The revelations that have come out of that institution in the last couple of weeks were very serious indeed," Mr Chalmers told reporters in Brisbane.

"He has taken responsibility for that today in his statement and has resigned."

Fellow Labor frontbencher Mark Butler was also quizzed about the departure of the AMP boss.

"This royal commission is a really important opportunity for a major reset in the relations between the finance industry and the Australian community," he told ABC radio.


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2 min read
Published 20 April 2018 11:24am
Updated 20 April 2018 8:36pm


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