Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The Government is pleased to announce the appointment of business and legal advisers for the scoping studies into future ownership options for the registry services of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Royal Australian Mint.

Following a robust and competitive procurement process, the appointments are:

• The registry services of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission – Greenhill (business advisers) and Ashurst (legal advisers)
• Royal Australian Mint - CIMB (business advisers) and King & Wood Mallesons (legal advisers).

These advisers will provide independent advice and recommendations around possible future ownership options, ensuring the objectives for the scoping studies are met.

These objectives are to:

• maintain service and quality levels for customers, users and private investors;
• ensure any recommended outcome/s treat any affected employees from the registry services of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Royal Australian Mint in a fair manner, including through the preservation of accrued entitlements;
• minimise any residual risks and liabilities to the Government; and
• maximise the benefits to the Government.

As previously announced, should these assets proceed to sale, all proceeds will be re-invested into productivity enhancing infrastructure through the Asset Recycling Fund.

The Government will consider the recommendations of the scoping studies as part of the 2015-16 Budget.

No decision on future ownership options for the registry services of the Australian Securities Investments Commission and the Royal Australian Mint will be made until this time.