The Australian Bankers Association’s surprise move to appoint former Queensland Labor premier Anna Bligh as its new CEO has raised eyebrows and and created controversy within and outside the ranks of the Turnbull government.

The news triggered the resignation of Treasurer Scott Morrison’s communications director Sasha Grebe. Mr Grebe was forced to fall on his sword when it emerged he was seeking a position in the corporate sector and the job he had his eyes on was the very same one that went to Ms Bligh.

Ms Bligh’s appointment appears to have caught Mr Morrison by surprise. When asked whether he approved of the move he said he was neither “happy or unhappy” about the move, the Courier-Mail has reported.

Mr Morrison said he would work “professionally” with the former premier in her new role as the leading lobbyist for the representative organisation covering 25 banks.

But Mr Morrison appeared to hedge his bets on any future relationship with Ms Bligh, pointing out he could talk directly to chief executives of the banks rather than use her as a go-between.

Liberal Party frontbencher Zed Seselja also appeared shocked. He accused the ABA of attempting to “appease” Labor, which has been damning of the banks while in opposition, by appointing Ms Bligh as CEO.

Long-time public relations executive and former editor of The Age, Mike Smith, told The New Daily that Ms Bligh’s appointment was “a courageous move”.

Gender an advantage

“The fact that she is female is a positive as the bank world has been seen as a very male place,” Mr Smith said. Her appointment has also been seen as a move to neutralise Labor’s calls for a royal commission into banking.

“It’s risky in terms of the relationship with the present (Turnbull Coalition) government but the main problems for the banks have been with the opposition, not the government.”

Another highly placed public relations industry player, who did not want to be named, said the move had raised eyebrows in the Coalition. “They think they have been doing lots of heavy lifting to protect the banks from a royal commission and now they find someone with Labor affiliations has been put in that position,” the source said.

“I think it’s a reflection of the fact that the banks think they need a high-profile face in the community which they have not really had.

Former ABC and Fairfax journalist Sally Loane heads the FSC. Photo: AAP

“From Ms Bligh’s viewpoint it doesn’t surprise me, as she is looking to remodel her career. There are a lot of former premiers around these days; the label used to open doors but it doesn’t now,” the source said.

The source said the ABA was late to the party in appointing high-profile representatives to head industry bodies. “The AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) has (former NSW opposition leader) John Brogden and the Financial Services Council has (former journalist) Sally Loane.”

The Australian Industry Group has high-profile CEO Innes Willox, who followed well-known Heather Ridout, the source noted.

Traditionally, the ABA’s CEOs have kept a low profile and are not widely known outside the industry. Current CEO Stephen Munchenberg has been in the role about seven years. He was preceded by Liberal Party insider David Bell.

Ms Bligh, who starts work on April 3, has already rejected Labor’s calls for a royal commission. She was widely admired for the leadership she displayed during the Queensland floods of 2011 and more recently overcame a serious cancer scare.