On 29 July 2021, Joe Longo gave his first media interview as ob体育 Chair to ABC Radio National Breakfast with Fran Kelly.
Speaking to ABC reporter Peter Ryan, Mr Longo covered a range of topics including ob体育鈥檚 focus on supporting business and consumers during COVID-19.
鈥楢 big external priority for us is doing what we can to support Australian business and Australian consumers in the middle of this pandemic,鈥� Mr Longo explained. 鈥楤ut that doesn鈥檛 mean we鈥檝e taken our eye off the ball with corporate crime. We are particularly focused on scams for example 鈥� vulnerable consumers in particular are at risk.鈥�
Mr Longo outlined his take on business insolvencies, particularly due to recent lockdowns.
鈥楢s things stand, we鈥檙e now 18 months into this pandemic and we have not seen a material uptick in insolvencies even now 鈥� they鈥檙e at historic lows,鈥� said Joe. 鈥楾he Australian economy has been remarkably resilient. Whether that will continue in the coming months, obviously lockdown in NSW is of great concern to everyone, but as things stand, we鈥檙e not seeing a dramatic increase in insolvencies; we鈥檒l have to see whether that continues.鈥�
Mr Longo was asked about ob体育鈥檚 enforcement stance and whether there was 鈥榩ressure to be more business friendly鈥�.
鈥楢bsolutely not,鈥� said Mr Longo, reiterating that nothing would change under his watch. 鈥業 was head of enforcement at ob体育 in the nineties and I鈥檓 absolutely committed to ob体育 remaining an active, credible law enforcement agency.鈥�
When asked about the rise of cryptocurrencies and companies that have cryptocurrency exchanges, Mr Longo stated that Australians should be cautious and understand the risks involved.
鈥榃e will take action where we can,鈥� Mr Longo said. 鈥楬owever, consumers need to be very careful when dealing with crypto. They really shouldn鈥檛 be dealing in those assets unless they have a good understanding of the risks.鈥�
Listen to the interview
Listen to ob体育 Chair Joe Longo鈥檚 interview with Peter Ryan on .