Ferrier Hodgson, the administrators of ABC Learning (a former constituent of the S&P/ASX 100), are reportedly investigating a A$1bn damages claim against the former directors and the auditors. The administrators are being funded by IMF Australia (a listed company which provides funding of legal claims and other related services where the claim size is over […]
Read MoreWith the AGM season for June-year end companies in Australia now all but complete, one of the last meetings of the season proved to be one of the most contentious in terms of shareholder voting. Shareholders at Goodman Group opposed the re-election of Jim Sloman in large numbers, with 42.2% of votes cast against. The […]
Read MoreThe nickel producer and explorer, Western Areas, saw its remuneration report defeated at its AGM on 6 November, as Australia’s stormy AGM season continues.The voting saw 52.5% vote against with a further 2.3% in abstentions. Four other remuneration-related resolutions were withdrawn in light of overwhelming opposition (by more than 2 to 1) from those voting […]
Read MoreThe Australian Securities and Investment Commission this week announced it intended bringing civil charges against the enitre 2007 board and a former Chief Financial Officer of various entities withing the Centro Properties Group and Centro Retail Group. This is the first case brought where the requirement that a listed entity’s CEO and CFO declare in […]
Read MoreWe noted last month that Australia’s Productivity Commission had released a detailed discussion document which included a package of suggested changes to the Corporations Act and ASX listing rules. Over 50 submissions were made to the Commission following the publication of the discussion document and before last Friday’s deadline. The Commission is now preparing its […]
Read MoreThe Australian Corporate Governance Code is up for review. Under the auspices of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), a number of amendments are under consideration, most notably improved disclosures about gender diversity and executive pay.
Read MoreThe first big week of Australian proxy season has seen a number of revolts on executive pay, with one ASX 100 company losing the remuneration report vote and two others seeing very significant dissent. At Downer Edi, the remuneration report was defeated, with investors reacting to reduced performance hurdles for the long-term incentive plan and […]
Read MoreAustralia is proposing some innovative steps to address concerns about executive pay. This week, the Productivity Commission released a detailed discussion document outlining a series of reforms which it hopes will improve board accountability, remove conflicts of interest and enhance shareholder engagement on remuneration. While the Commission doesn’t consider that Australia is suffering from a systemic failure in […]
Read MoreAustralian Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen has delighted Australian shareholders with plans to introduce extensive executive remuneration reforms designed to force boards to be more accountable and give shareholders more power. In a ringing endorsement of the Productivity Commission’s review of executive pay which was published in January this year, […]
Read MoreIn December 2007, ASIC commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria against six former directors and officers of AWB Ltd, the ex-ASX 100 constituent. The trial against the former CEO, Andrew Lindberg began in the Victorian Courts this week and is expected to run for several months. The court proceedings have heard […]
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