RPT-Australia's Stevens linked to BoE governor job-report

(Repeats story published Sunday; no changes to text)

LONDON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Australian central bank chiefGlenn Stevens has been approached by British Treasury officialsseeking a new head for the Bank of England after governor MervynKing steps down next year, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

Stevens, 54, has been governor of the Reserve Bank ofAustralia since September 2006 and is the country's highest paidpublic servant, with an annual salary of over A$1 million ($1million), more than double King's earnings.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and Britain's Treasurydeclined to comment on the report, which the newspaperattributed to sources in London's financial district.

As an overseas outsider Stevens would be free of criticismaimed at some favourites to replace King because of theirconnections to regulation, policy making or commercial bankingduring the credit crunch which ravaged Britain's economy andbanks.

An economist who styles himself the "most boring man inSydney", Stevens is regarded as a pragmatist, shifting last yearfrom warning of higher interest rates to cutting them twice insuccession within months.

Under his leadership, the RBA was one of the first centralbanks to start slashing rates during the global financial crisisin 2008, even though domestic inflation was running above 4percent. His term ends in September 2013.

Britain is seeking "a person of undisputed integrity andstanding" to take over from King from July 1 next year,according to the job advert.

His successor will serve a single eight-year term and takeon greater responsibility for keeping the financial systemstable and regulating banks, as well as managing inflation andthe economy through monetary policy.

Candidates have until 0730 GMT (8:30 a.m. British time) onMonday to submit their applications, with a decision due by theend of the year. It is the first time the job has been formallyadvertised.

The Treasury has declined to confirm the names of applicantsfor the post, which currently carries an annual salary of308,000 pounds ($499,000).

Favourites with bookmakers include BoE Deputy Governor PaulTucker, Financial Services Authority Chairman Adair Turner andBritain's former top civil servant Gus O'Donnell.

Senior figures from the commercial banking industry also inthe frame include Jim O'Neill, the chairman of Goldman Sachs'sasset management division.

Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney has ruled himself outafter rumours of his candidacy circulated earlier this year.

($1 = 0.6176 British pounds) ($1 = 0.9767 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Tim Castle in London and Morag MacKinnon inSydney; Editing by Mark Potter)

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Keywords: BRITAIN BOE/STEVENS