The federal government has appointed the defeated member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, to the board of ASC Pty Ltd, formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation.
The Minister for Finance, Senator Mathias Cormann, announced the appointment today. Mirabella is one of three appointments to the government-owned body.
On its website, ASC says it “has evolved into Australia’s largest specialised defence shipbuilding organisation, with naval design and engineering resources unparalleled within Australia’s defence industry”.
ASC says it employs “over 2,400 permanent personnel across our three facilities in South Australia and Western Australia”.
Mirabella, 45, was the Liberal member for Indi from 2001 until 2013. She was defeated at this year’s election by an independent candidate, Cathy McGowan, who waged an insurgent grassroots campaign to win the formerly safe Liberal seat by 439 votes.
Mirabella was Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science prior to the election.
The appointment is bound to be depicted as a case of political nepotism and a consolation prize for Mirabella. It comes on the same day the government announced the appointment of Tim Wilson as Human Right Commissioner. Wilson is a well-known Liberal and an employee of the Institute of Public Affairs.
GRATUITOUS FOOTNOTE: Some years ago, during the Howard government, Mirabella’s colleague, current Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, on an inspection of naval facilities, caused guffaws amongst the assembled media when she announced that she was the first woman to go down on a submarine.
Announcement by Senator Mathias Cormann of Sophie Mirabella’s appointment.
APPOINTMENT OF THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO ASC PTY LTD
I am pleased to announce the appointment of three new board members to ASC Pty Ltd. Mr Peter Iancov, Mrs Sophie Mirabella and Mr Paul Rizzo have all been appointed for three year terms.
Mr Iancov has extensive senior level experience in major engineering projects, including at Alinta . Mr Iancov also has a wealth of experience from board and executive appointments throughout his career. His large project delivery expertise will be advantageous for the board.
Mrs Sophie Mirabella is the former Federal member for Indi and a former Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science. Combined with her legal background, and her extensive experience working with the manufacturing industry, Mrs Mirabella will make a valuable contribution to the board.
Mr Rizzo brings senior executive experience at National Australia Bank, Telstra Corporation, BlueScope Steel and other major public companies. Through his work with the defence industry, Mr Rizzo has a strong understanding of Australian shipbuilding and repair practices which will be an asset to the board.
ASC Pty Ltd is Australia’s largest specialised defence shipbuilding organisation and also has responsibility for the repair, maintenance and design upgrades of the submarines through life of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of six Collins Class submarines.
