. . . She holds a PhD in Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics and has previously been group chief economist at Swedbank, a leading Swedish commercial bank. She has also worked at the Swedish Ministry of Finance, the World Bank and as an academic economist in the United States. . .
She is well qualified and has the right focus.
. . . Breman said the past 10 years had been tough for central banks facing first Covid, then the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rising inflation.
“The last few years have been tough for central banks. After the Covid pandemic and after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, inflation surged.
“We have all been reminded how harmful and hurtful high inflation is to households and firms, to our economies. Now inflation is lower but the global environment is still challenging.
“We are facing geo-political tensions and trade tensions which weigh on the New Zealand economy and other economies.”
Breman said the Bank would remain “laser focused” on delivering to lower inflation.
“There are three main areas of responsibility – the first is price stability. We will stay laser focused on delivering low and stable inflation.” . . .
Some media had another focus – that she is a woman.
. . . Anticipating that Breman’s status as the bank’s first female governor would be raised at the press conference, Willis said she and Breman had discussed the matter on Tuesday.
“What we both agree, and I think have experienced in our careers, is that we only ever want to be selected for a role because we are the best candidate, not because of our gender,” Willis said.
“However, it is also the case that it certainly makes a difference when young women and girls can see that there is no office that cannot be occupied by a woman. And I am glad that my daughters will be raised in a time where they can see that the governor of the Reserve Bank can be a man or a woman.”
Breman also said it was important that people looked at her formal credentials.
“I do have experience in central banking, academia, in the financial sector. But I can tell you on a personal note that when I told my eldest daughter I had been offered this position she was so happy for me, and that made me really happy. Because to her it was very special that I was offered the position and that I did want to take the position,” she said.
“So in that respect, like the minister stressed, it is nice for younger people to see that it’s possible.” . .
That she is well qualified means that she’s female shouldn’t be the focus. But both the minister and new governor are right that it does matter that girls and young women have role models that show that they too can gain high office.
Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.
1 comment:
Male or female is of no consequence so it's interesting a female reporter feels compelled to write about it.
A far more useful, and I'm told eye opening article would compare the other applicants and their experience / qualifications.
As CEOs just told Willis this statement is false...
"we only ever want to be selected for a role because we are the best candidate",
Can we expect Willis to do NZ a favour and offer her resignation?
Or does Mr Luxon have to do it for her?
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