Australia’s Finance Inquiry to Divulge Confidential Settlements

Australia’s Finance Inquiry to Divulge Confidential Settlements
A pedestrian is reflected in the window of a branch of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) in central Sydney, Australia Oct. 25, 2017. Reuters/Steven Saphore/File Photo
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SYDNEY—A government-backed inquiry into Australia’s finance sector will demand to see confidential settlements brokered by banks, pension funds and insurance providers if they shed light on wrong-doing, the head of the inquiry said as it began on Monday.

Any attempt by an institution to prevent information being made public, including dispute settlements with customers, would “incite the closest attention”, Commissioner Kenneth Hayne said in opening remarks as the inquiry got under way in Melbourne.