Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Reserve Bank gets out of bed early

This from the Bank at 8.40 am:

MEDIA RELEASE

No: 2009-11
Date: 23 May 2009
Embargo: For Immediate Release


STATEMENT CONCERNING SECURENCY INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD

Allegations have been made in
The Age newspaper today that payments made to agents by Securency International Pty Ltd, a company in which the Reserve Bank is a shareholder, may have been used by the agents to pay ‘kickbacks’ to foreign government officials.

The Board of Securency has referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police.

Background

Securency International Pty Ltd is a joint venture between the Reserve Bank of Australia and Innovia Films, a UK based film manufacturer. It is headquartered in Craigieburn, Victoria.

Securency manufactures Guardian® which is the polymer substrate used in Australian banknotes as well as banknotes issued in 27 other countries around the world.

Enquiries:
Media Office
Information Department
Reserve Bank of Australia
SYDNEY


This is what they are responding to.

Although I work for The Age I had nothing to do with the story and know nothing other than what I read this morning.