TONY EASTLEY: Senator Wong is speaking here to Alexandra Kirk in Canberra.
WONG: The Government's approach to appointing the chairman of the Future Fund has been to find the best candidate and we believe Mr Gonski, who has a proven track record as a corporate leader, has deep standing in the Australian business community has the sorts of abilities that meant he was the best candidate for the job.
KIRK: Why did you get Mr Gonski to canvass the views of the Future Fund Guardians only then to completely ignore them?
WONG: We did take the views of the Guardians into account and we asked for their views at their request because they wanted more consultation and we were happy to provide that. We did take their views into account but ultimately the Government has to make a decision about who it believes is the best person for the job and we've done that.
KIRK: So why did you go for an outsider?
WONG: Because we thought that what we needed and what was in the best interests of the fund, which is a very important institution for the nation, was someone who has that demonstrated leadership in the Australian business community, a person of real standing in the business community. And David Gonski
KIRK: But it's in fact a vote of no confidence in the Board of the Future Fund.
WONG: No I don't agree with that at all. I don't agree with that at all. And it's a vote of confidence in the fund that we appointed someone of such standing, of such abilities, to the position. It's a vote of confidence in the Fund. And you know I'm confident that the Fund will do very well under Mr Gonski and the Guardians.
KIRK: You say that Mr Gonski summarised the view of the Future Fund Board members but wasn't asked to recommend potential candidates for the Chairman's job and that he didn't make any, correct?
WONG: That's correct.
KIRK: But he did say that a majority of the Board told him that the Chairman should be an insider, appointed from within the Future Fund, and a majority believed that there was definitely one, possibly three candidates, that Mr Costello had the Board's strong endorsement. Correct?
WONG: It is correct that Mr Gonski was asked to put the summarise the views of the Board for the Government and that was an appropriate thing to do, to do make sure we were aware of the views of the Board and to consider those. It is also correct that there were a range of different views on the Board. It is true that if an insider, that is someone on the Board, was chosen, there was a view about a preferred candidate. It was not the only view and I think it's important to recognise that.
KIRK: But that preferred candidate was Mr Costello?
WONG: But ultimately the Government's position was we have to choose the best person for the job and we have.
KIRK: You said yesterday, quote, "that Mr Gonski made no recommendations". But the fact is, isn't it, that while Mr Gonski didn't reveal Peter Costello's name in writing in the two page memo that was sent to your Department, quote, "for privacy reasons", that he did in fact verbally tell the Department?
WONG: He informed the Government of the views of the Board. That is not the same thing as making a recommendation. He was not asked to make recommendations and I think it is important to recall that. He did tell us of the views and we considered them. But ultimately the decision the Government had to make was who was the best candidate. And no-one, not even Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb, have suggested that Mr Gonski is not an outstanding appointment to the Future Fund.
KIRK: So why didn't Mr Costello get the job?
WONG: We did not believe he was the best person for the job.
KIRK: For what reason?
WONG: Well for the sorts of reasons I've described. And remember we appointed Mr Costello to the position on the Fund. And whilst I'm reluctant to get into individual candidates' merits you have asked the question and I'll refer back to what I said earlier.
We wanted someone who had a deep standing in the business community, had a proven track record as a leader, someone who had undertaken such important roles as chairing listed companies. Mr Gonski has those attributes.
ENDS