Original article by Robert Gottliebsen
The Australian – Page: 29 : 26-Nov-19

Westpac’s scandal is completely different to scandals that cost the jobs of top executives at the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and AMP in recent years. Westpac chairman Lindsay Maxsted says that the board had no prior warning of Austrac’s legal action or the specific nature of its allegations. However, Austrac alleges that Westpac was aware of concerns about payments linked to child exploitation as far back as 2013. The question arises as to whether CEO Brian Hartzer was aware of these concerns and withheld this from the board.

CORPORATES
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA. ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPT. AUSTRALIAN TRANSACTION REPORTS AND ANALYSIS CENTRE, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, AMP LIMITED – ASX AMP