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READYTECH HOLDINGS LIMITED — Governance Information 2021
Mar 21, 2021
65678_rns_2021-03-21_9d8b5ae6-f109-42a2-a3cf-0dbeb82c0b1a.pdf
Governance Information
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ReadyTech Holdings Limited ABN 25 632 137 216
22 March 2021
Constitution – amended version
ReadyTech Holdings Limited (ASX: RDY) ( ReadyTech ) attaches a copy of its amended Constitution approved by special resolution of shareholders at ReadyTech’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on 19 March 2021.
This announcement has been authorised for release to ASX by the Company Secretary of ReadyTech.
For more information please contact:
Nimesh Shah Chief Financial Officer E: [email protected] P: + 61 437 980 296
Ronn Bechler Market Eye E: [email protected] P: +61 400 009 774
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Constitution
ReadyTech Holdings Limited
Amended 19 March 2021
Constitution
ReadyTech Holdings Limited
| ReadyTech Holdings Limited | ReadyTech Holdings Limited | |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | 6 | |
| 1. | Defined terms | 6 |
| 2. | Interpretation | 7 |
| 3. | Replaceable rules | 8 |
| Shares | 8 | |
| 4. | Rights | 8 |
| 5. | Issue of Shares | 8 |
| 6. | Commission and brokerage | 9 |
| 7. | Trusts not recognised | 9 |
| 8. | Joint holders | 9 |
| 9. | Share certificates | 9 |
| 10. | Class meetings | 10 |
| 11. | Non-marketable parcels | 10 |
| Calls | 11 | |
| 12. | General | 11 |
| 13. | Instalments and amounts which become payable | 12 |
| 14. | Interest and expenses | 12 |
| 15. | Recovery of amounts due | 12 |
| 16. | Differentiation | 12 |
| 17. | Payment of calls in advance | 12 |
| Lien and forfeiture | 13 | |
| 18. | Lien | 13 |
| 19. | Lien sale | 13 |
| 20. | Forfeiture notice | 14 |
| 21. | Forfeiture | 14 |
| 22. | Liability of former Member | 14 |
| 23. | Disposal of Shares | 15 |
| Transfer of Shares | 15 | |
| 24. | General | 15 |
| 25. | Proportional takeover bid | 16 |
| 26. | Transfer procedure | 17 |
| 27. | Right to refuse registration | 17 |
| Transmission of Shares | 17 | |
| 28. | Title on death | 17 |
| 29. | Entitlement to transmission | 18 |
| Changes to Share capital | 18 | |
| 30. | Consolidation or division | 18 |
| Powers of attorney | 18 | |
| 31. | Powers of attorney | 18 |
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| General meetings | General meetings | 19 |
|---|---|---|
| 32. | Calling general meeting | 19 |
| 33. | Notice | 19 |
| 34. | Business | 19 |
| Proceedings at general meetings | 20 | |
| 35. | Member | 20 |
| 36. | Quorum | 20 |
| 37. | Chairperson | 20 |
| 38. | General conduct | 21 |
| 39. | Adjournment | 21 |
| 40. | Decisions | 21 |
| 41. | Taking a poll | 22 |
| 42. | Casting vote of chairperson | 22 |
| 43. | Admission to general meetings | 22 |
| 44. | Auditor's right to be heard | 23 |
| Votes of Members | 23 | |
| 45. | Entitlement to vote | 23 |
| 46. | Unpaid calls | 23 |
| 47. | Joint holders | 23 |
| 48. | Objections | 24 |
| 49. | Votes by proxy | 24 |
| 50. | Direct Votes | 24 |
| 51. | Document appointing proxy | 25 |
| 52. | Proxy in blank | 25 |
| 53. | Lodgement of proxy | 25 |
| 54. | Validity | 26 |
| 55. | Representatives of bodies corporate | 26 |
| Appointment and removal of Directors | 26 | |
| 56. | Number of Directors | 26 |
| 57. | Qualification | 26 |
| 58. | Power to remove and appoint | 27 |
| 59. | Additional and casual Directors | 27 |
| 60. | Retirement by rotation | 27 |
| 61. | Nomination of Director | 28 |
| 62. | Vacation of office | 28 |
| Remuneration of Directors | 28 | |
| 63. | Remuneration of Non-Executive Directors | 28 |
| 64. | Remuneration of Executive Directors | 29 |
| 65. | Retirement and termination benefits | 29 |
| Powers and duties of Directors | 30 | |
| 66. | Directors to manage Company | 30 |
| Proceedings of Directors | 30 | |
| 67. | Directors' meetings | 30 |
| 68. | Decisions | 30 |
Page 3
| 69. | Directors' interests | 31 |
|---|---|---|
| 70. | Alternate Directors | 31 |
| 71. | Remaining Directors | 32 |
| 72. | Chairperson | 32 |
| 73. | Delegation | 32 |
| 74. | Written resolutions | 32 |
| 75. | Validity of acts of Directors | 33 |
| 76. | Minutes | 33 |
| Executive Directors | 33 | |
| 77. | Appointment | 33 |
| 78. | Powers of Executive Directors | 34 |
| Local management | 34 | |
| 79. | General | 34 |
| 80. | Appointment of attorneys and agents | 34 |
| Secretary | 35 | |
| 81. | Secretary | 35 |
| Seals | 35 | |
| 82. | Common Seal | 35 |
| 83. | Duplicate Seal | 35 |
| 84. | Share Seal | 36 |
| Inspection of records | 36 | |
| 85. | Times for inspection | 36 |
| Dividends and reserves | 36 | |
| 86. | Dividends | 36 |
| 87. | Amend resolution to pay dividend | 36 |
| 88. | No interest | 36 |
| 89. | Reserves | 36 |
| 90. | Dividend entitlement | 37 |
| 91. | Restricted securities | 37 |
| 92. | Deductions from dividends | 37 |
| 93. | Distribution of assets | 37 |
| 94. | Payment | 38 |
| 95. | Election to reinvest dividend | 38 |
| 96. | Election to accept Shares in lieu of dividend | 38 |
| 97. | Unclaimed dividends | 39 |
| 98. | Capitalisation of profits | 39 |
| Notices | 39 | |
| 99. | Service of notices | 39 |
| 100. | Persons entitled to notice | 40 |
| Audit | and financial records | 41 |
| 101. | Company to keep financial records | 41 |
| Winding up | 41 | |
| 102. | Winding up | 41 |
Page 4
| Indemnity | 41 |
|---|---|
| 103. Indemnity |
41 |
| 104. Shareholder disclosure |
42 |
| Schedule 1 | 43 |
| Performance Shares | 43 |
| CLASS A PERFORMANCE SHARES | 43 |
| CLASS B PERFORMANCE SHARES | 54 |
Page 5
Preliminary
1. Defined terms
- 1.1 In this Constitution:
Alternate Director means a person appointed as an alternate director under clause 70 .
Approving Resolution means a resolution passed in accordance with clause 25 .
Approving Resolution Deadline in relation to a proportional takeover bid means the day that is the 14th day before the last day of the bid period.
ASX means ASX Limited ABN 98 008 624 691 or the financial market operated by it, as the context requires.
ASX Listing Rules means the listing rules of ASX and any other rules of ASX, other than the ASX Settlement Rules and CS Facility Rules, applicable to the Company or the Shares while the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, each as amended or replaced from time to time, except to the extent of any express written waiver by ASX.
ASX Settlement means ASX Settlement Pty Limited ABN 49 008 504 532.
ASX Settlement Rules means the operating rules of ASX Settlement.
Auditor means the Company's auditor.
Business Day has the meaning given to that term in the ASX Listing Rules.
CHESS Holding has the meaning given to that term in the ASX Settlement Rules.
Company means ReadyTech Holdings Limited.
Constitution means the constitution of the Company as amended from time to time.
Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) as amended or replaced from time to time and includes any regulations made under that Act and any exemption or modification to that Act applying to the Company.
CS Facility Rules means the operating rules of an applicable CS facility licensee.
Direct Vote , in relation to a resolution or a meeting, means a valid notice of a Member’s voting intention on the resolution or on a resolution proposed to be put at the meeting (as the case may be) where the notice indicates that it is to be regarded as a direct vote and is otherwise given in accordance with clause 50 .
Director means a person appointed to the position of a director of the Company and where appropriate, includes an Alternate Director.
Directors means all or some of the Directors acting as a board.
Executive Director has the meaning given by clause 77.3 .
Issuer Sponsored Holding has the meaning given to that term in the ASX Settlement Rules.
Managing Director means a Director appointed as managing director under clause 77.1 .
Marketable Parcel has the meaning given to that term in the procedures of the ASX Listing Rules.
Member means a person who is a member of the Company in accordance with the Corporations Act.
Non-Executive Director means a Director who is not an Executive Director.
Non-Marketable Parcel means a parcel of securities that is less than a Marketable Parcel.
Register means the register of Members of the Company.
Representative means a person appointed by a Member to act as its representative under clause 55.1 .
Restricted Securities has the meaning given to that term in the ASX Listing Rules.
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Seal means the Company's common seal.
Secretary means any person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of a secretary of the Company and if more than one person is appointed, any one or more of such persons.
Share means a share in the capital of the Company.
- 1.2 In this Constitution, except where the context otherwise requires, an expression in a clause of this Constitution that is not otherwise defined in this Constitution has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act. Where the expression has more than one meaning in the Corporations Act and a provision of the Corporations Act deals with the same matter as a clause of this Constitution, that expression has the same meaning as in that provision.
2. Interpretation
-
2.1 In this Constitution, except where the context otherwise requires:
-
(a) the singular includes the plural and vice versa, and a gender includes other genders;
-
(b) another grammatical form of a defined word or expression has a corresponding meaning;
-
(c) a reference to a clause, paragraph, schedule or annexure is to a clause or paragraph of, or schedule or annexure to, this Constitution, and a reference to this Constitution includes any schedule or annexure;
-
(d) a reference to a document or instrument includes the document or instrument as novated, altered, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
-
(e) a reference to A$ , $A , dollar or $ is to Australian currency; and
-
(f) the meaning of general words is not limited by specific examples introduced by including for example or similar expressions.
-
2.2 Headings are for ease of reference only and do not affect interpretation.
-
2.3 The Corporations Act prevails over any inconsistency with:
-
(a) this Constitution;
-
(b) the ASX Listing Rules;
-
(c) the ASX Settlement Rules; and
-
(d) the CS Facility Rules.
-
2.4 Before the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, or during such time that the Company is delisted from the official list of ASX, a provision of this Constitution subject to or in any way restricted by the ASX Listing Rules, ASX Settlement Rules, or the CS Facility Rules is construed as if it were not subject to or restricted by the ASX Listing Rules, ASX Settlement Rules or the CS Facility Rules.
-
2.5
-
If the Company is included in the official list of ASX, then:
-
(a) notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution, if the ASX Listing Rules prohibit an act being done, the act must not be done;
-
(b) nothing contained in this Constitution prevents an act being done that the ASX Listing Rules require to be done;
-
(c) if the ASX Listing Rules require an act to be done or not to be done, authority is given for that act to be done or not to be done (as the case may be);
-
(d) if the ASX Listing Rules require this Constitution to contain a provision and it does not contain such a provision, this Constitution is taken to contain that provision;
-
(e) if the ASX Listing Rules require this Constitution not to contain a provision and it contains that provision, this Constitution is taken not to contain that provision; and
-
(f) if any provision of this Constitution is or becomes inconsistent with the ASX Listing Rules, this Constitution is taken not to contain that provision to the extent of the inconsistency.
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3. Replaceable rules
The provisions of the Corporations Act that apply to certain companies as replaceable rules are displaced by this Constitution in their entirety and do not apply to the Company.
Shares
4. Rights
-
Subject to this Constitution and to the terms of issue of Shares, all Shares attract the following rights:
-
(a) the right to receive notice of and to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Company;
-
(b) the right to receive dividends; and
-
(c) in a winding up or a reduction of capital, the right to participate equally in the distribution of the assets of the Company (both capital and surplus), subject to any amounts unpaid on the Share and, in the case of a reduction, to the terms of the reduction.
5. Issue of Shares
-
5.1 Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules, CS Facility Rules and this Constitution, the Directors may issue and allot, or dispose of, Shares:
-
(a) on terms determined by the Directors;
-
(b) at an issue price determined by the Directors; and
-
(c) to Members whether in proportion to their existing shareholding or otherwise, and to such other persons as the Directors may determine.
-
5.2 The Directors' power under clause 5.1 includes the power to:
-
(a) grant options and performance rights over unissued Shares;
-
(b) issue and allot Shares:
-
(i) with any preferential, deferred or special rights, privileges or conditions including to issue and allot Class A Performance Shares and Class B Performance Shares on the terms and conditions as set out in Schedule 1 (Terms of Class A Performance Shares and Class B Performance Shares) to the Constitution;
-
(ii) with any restrictions in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise;
-
(iii) which are liable to be redeemed or converted into ordinary shares;
-
(iv) which are bonus Shares for whose issue no consideration is payable to the Company; or
-
(v) which have any combination of the characteristics described in clauses 5.2(b)(i) to 5.2(b)(iv) inclusive.
-
-
5.3 Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules, CS Facility Rules and this Constitution, the Directors may do anything required to give effect to any resolution altering the Company's share capital, including, where a member becomes entitled to a fraction of a share on a consolidation:
-
(a) making cash payments;
-
(b) determining that fractions may be disregarded to adjust the rights of all parties;
-
(c) appointing a trustee to deal with any fractions on behalf of members; and
-
(d) rounding up each fractional entitlement to the nearest whole share by capitalising any amount available for capitalisation under clause 98 even though only some of the members participate in the capitalisation.
-
5.4 Subject to clause 5.5 , the Company may by resolution convert or reclassify shares from one class to another.
-
5.5 The rights attached to any class of shares may, unless their terms of issue state otherwise, only
Page 8
be varied:
-
(a) with the written consent of the holders of 75% of the shares of the class; or
-
(b) by special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of shares of the class.
-
5.6 The provisions of this Constitution relating to general meetings apply, with necessary changes, to separate class meetings as if they were general meetings except that:
-
(a) a quorum is two persons holding or representing by proxy, attorney or representative, at least one-third of the issued shares of the class or, if there is one holder of shares in a class, that person; and
-
(b) any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy, attorney or representative, may demand a poll.
-
5.7 The rights conferred on the holders of any class of shares are to be taken as not having been varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking equally with them.
6. Commission and brokerage
Any brokerage or commission which may be paid by the Company may be made in cash, by the issue and allotment of Shares, by the issue of debentures, or by a combination of any of those methods.
7. Trusts not recognised
-
7.1 Except as required by law, the ASX Settlement Rules, the CS Facility Rules or as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the Company will not recognise any person as holding a Share on trust and the Company will not be bound to recognise any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest or any other right in respect of a Share except the registered holder's absolute right of ownership.
-
7.2 This clause 7 applies even if the Company has notice of the relevant trust, interest or right.
8. Joint holders
-
8.1 If two or more persons are registered as the holders of a Share, they are taken to hold the Share as joint tenants with the benefit of survivorship and the person whose name appears first on the Register is the only joint holder entitled to receive notices from the Company.
-
8.2 Any one of the joint holders of a Share may give an effective receipt for any dividend or return of capital payable to the joint holders.
-
8.3 The Company is entitled to and in respect of CHESS Holdings, must:
-
(a) record the names of only the first three joint holders of a Share on the Register;
-
(b) regard the three joint holders of a Share appearing first on the Register as the registered holders of that Share to the exclusion of any other holders; and
-
(c) disregard the entitlement of any person to be registered on the Register as a holder if the name of the person would appear on the Register after the first three holders for that Share.
9. Share certificates
-
9.1 The Directors will not, unless they determine otherwise or the Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules, ASX Settlement Rules or CS Facility Rules require, issue a certificate to a Member for any Shares registered in the Member's name or record any holding as held on a certificated subregister.
-
9.2 Any certificate for Shares must be issued and despatched in accordance with the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules.
Page 9
-
9.3 Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules, the Directors may in their absolute discretion elect whether to maintain a certificated subregister for any class of Shares.
-
9.4 Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules, Shares may be held on any subregister maintained by or on behalf of the Company or on any branch register kept by the Company.
-
9.5 The Directors may order worn-out or defaced certificates to be cancelled and, if necessary, replaced by new certificates.
10. Class meetings
-
10.1 The rights attached to any class of Shares may be varied in accordance with the Corporations Act.
-
10.2 The provisions of this Constitution relating to general meetings apply, with necessary changes, to a meeting of a class of Members holding Shares in that class as if it was a general meeting except that:
-
(a) a quorum is two persons holding or representing by proxy, attorney or Representative not less than 5% of the Shares of the class or, if there is one holder of Shares in the class, that holder or a proxy, attorney or representative of that holder; and
-
(b) any five holders, or holders of Shares of the class present in person or by proxy, attorney or Representative who can vote not less than 5% of all votes held by Members of that class, may demand a poll.
11. Non-marketable parcels
-
11.1 If one or more Members hold less than a Marketable Parcel of Shares, the Directors may invoke the procedure for the sale of those Shares under this clause 11 (Procedure).
-
11.2 To invoke the Procedure, the Directors must give each Member (including each such Member whose Shares are not held in a CHESS Holding) who holds less than a Marketable Parcel of Shares (Eligible Member) written notice (Notice of Divestiture) that complies with this clause 11 .
-
11.3 A Notice of Divestiture given to a Member must:
-
(a) state that the Shares referred to in the Notice of Divestiture are liable to be sold in accordance with the Procedure if the Member does not advise the Company before a specified date ( Relevant Date ) that the Member wishes to keep those Shares; and
-
(b) if the Member holds the Shares the subject of the Notice of Divestiture in a CHESS Holding, contain a statement to the effect that if those Shares remain in a CHESS Holding after the Relevant Date, the Company may, without further notice, move those Shares from the CHESS Holding to an Issuer Sponsored Holding or a Certificated Holding for the purposes of divestment by the Company in accordance with the Procedure.
-
11.4 The Relevant Date must be six weeks or more after the date that the Notice of Divestiture is sent.
-
11.5 A copy of a Notice of Divestiture must be given to any other person required by the CS Facility Rules.
-
11.6 If an Eligible Member on whom a Notice of Divestiture has been served wants to keep the Shares referred to in the Notice of Divesture, the Eligible Member must give the Company written notice before the Relevant Date, advising the Company that the Member wants to keep those Shares, in which case the Company will not sell those Shares.
-
11.7 If an Eligible Member on whom a Notice of Divestiture has been served does not give the Company written notice before the Relevant Date advising the Company that the Eligible Member wants to keep the Shares referred in the Notice of Divestiture, the Company may:
-
(a) if the Member holds those Shares in a CHESS Holding, move those Shares from the CHESS Holding to an Issuer Sponsored Holding or a Certificated Holding; and
-
(b) in any case, sell those Shares in accordance with the Procedure,
Page 10
but only if the Shares held by the Eligible Member on the Relevant Date is less than a Marketable Parcel.
-
11.8 Any Shares that may be sold under this clause 11 may be sold on the terms, in the manner (whether on-market, by private treaty, through a share sale facility established by, on behalf of, or at the request of the Company or otherwise) and at the time or times determined by the Directors and, for the purposes of a sale under this clause 11 , each Eligible Member:
-
(a) appoints the Company as the Eligible Member's agent for the sale;
-
(b) authorises the Company to effect on the Eligible Member's behalf a transfer of the Shares sold and to deal with the proceeds of the sale of the Shares in accordance with clause 11.10 ;
-
(c) appoints the Company, its Directors and the Secretary jointly and severally as the Eligible Member's attorneys to execute an instrument or to take such other steps, in the Eligible Member's name and on the Eligible Member's behalf, as they or any of them may consider appropriate to transfer the Shares sold; and
-
(d) authorises each of the attorneys appointed under clause 11.8(c) to appoint an agent to do a thing referred to in clause 11.8(c) .
-
11.9 The title of the transferee to Shares acquired under this clause 11 is not affected by an irregularity or invalidity in connection with the sale of Shares to the Transferee.
-
11.10 The proceeds of any sale of Shares under this clause 11 less any unpaid calls and interest ( Sale Consideration ) will be paid to the relevant Member or as that Member may direct.
-
11.11 The Company will hold the Sale Consideration in trust for the Member whose Shares are sold under this clause and will forthwith notify the Member in writing that the Sale Consideration in respect of the Member's Shares has been received by the Company and is being held by the Company pending instructions from the Member as to how it is to be dealt with. If the Member has been issued with a share certificate or certificates, the Member's instructions, to be effective, must be accompanied by the share certificate or certificates to which the Sale Consideration relates or, if the certificate or certificates has or have been lost or destroyed, by a statement and undertaking under subsection 1070D(5) of the Corporations Act.
-
11.12 Subject to the Corporations Act, the Company or the purchaser will bear all costs, including brokerage and stamp duty, associated with the sale of any Shares under this clause.
-
11.13 The Procedure may only be invoked once in any 12 month period after its adoption or renewal.
-
11.14 If the Procedure has been invoked and there is an announcement of a takeover bid for Shares, no more sales of Shares may be made under this clause 11 until after the close of the offers made under the takeover. The Procedure may then be invoked again.
Calls
12. General
-
12.1 Subject to the Corporations Act and the terms on which partly-paid Shares are issued, the Directors may make calls on the holders of the Shares for any money unpaid on them.
-
12.2 A call is made when the resolution of the Directors authorising it is passed.
-
12.3 The Directors may revoke or postpone a call before its due date for payment.
-
12.4 The Directors may require a call to be paid by instalments.
-
12.5 The Company must comply with the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules in relation to the dispatch and content of notices to Members on whom a call is made.
-
12.6 A Member to whom notice of a call is given in accordance with clause 12 must pay to the Company the amount called in accordance with the notice.
-
12.7 Failure to send a notice of a call to any Member or the non-receipt of a notice by any Member does not invalidate the call.
Page 11
12.8 Joint holders of Shares are jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of their Shares.
13. Instalments and amounts which become payable
If:
-
(a) the Directors require a call to be paid by instalments; or
-
(b) an amount becomes payable by the terms of issue of Shares on allotment, or at a time or in circumstances specified in the terms of issue,
then:
-
(c) every instalment or the amount payable under the terms of issue is payable as if it were a call made by the Directors and as if they had given notice of it; and
-
(d) the consequences of late payment or non-payment of an instalment or the amount payable under the terms of issue are the same as the consequences of late payment or non-payment of a call.
14. Interest and expenses
-
If an amount called is not paid on or before the due date, the person liable to pay the amount must also pay:
-
(a) reasonable interest on the amount from the due date to the time of actual payment at a rate determined by the Directors (not exceeding 10% per annum); and
-
(b) all expenses incurred by the Company as a consequence of the non-payment,
but the Directors may waive payment of the interest and expenses in whole or in part.
15. Recovery of amounts due
On the hearing of any action for the recovery of money due for any call, proof that:
-
(a) the name of the person sued was, when the call was made, entered in the Register as a holder or the holder of Shares in respect of which the call was made;
-
(b) the resolution making the call is duly recorded in the Directors' minute book; and
-
(c) notice of the call was given to the person sued,
will be conclusive evidence of the debt.
16. Differentiation
The Directors may, on the issue of Shares, differentiate between the holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.
17. Payment of calls in advance
-
17.1 The Directors may accept from a Member the whole or part of the amount unpaid on a Share before the amount accepted has been called.
-
17.2 The Company may:
-
(a) pay interest on any amount accepted, until the amount is payable under a call and at a rate (not exceeding 10% per annum) agreed between the Member and the Directors; and
-
(b) subject to any contract between the Company and the Member, repay all or any of the amount accepted in excess of the amount called on the Share.
-
17.3 Payment of an amount in advance of a call does not entitle the paying Member to any:
-
(a) dividend, benefit or advantage, other than the payment of interest under this clause 17 ; or
Page 12
(b) voting right,
to which the Member would not have been entitled if it had paid the amount when it became due.
Lien and forfeiture
18. Lien
-
18.1 To the extent permitted by the ASX Listing Rules, the Company has a first and paramount lien on every partly-paid Share and dividends payable in respect of the Share for all money:
-
(a) due and unpaid to the Company at a fixed time, in respect of the Share;
-
(b) presently payable by a holder or the holder of the Share, or the holder's estate, to the Company in respect of the Share; or
-
(c) that the Company is required by law to pay (and has paid) in respect of the Share.
-
18.2 The lien extends to reasonable interest and expenses incurred because the amount is not paid.
-
18.3 If any law for the time being of any country, state or place imposes or purports to impose an immediate or contingent liability on the Company to make any payment or authorises a revenue authority or Government official to require the Company to make payment in respect of Shares or dividends or other monies accruing due to the Member who holds the Shares:
-
(a) the Member or, if the Member is deceased, the Member's legal personal representative, indemnifies the Company in respect of any such payment or liability; and
-
(b) subject to the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules, the Company:
-
(i) has a lien on the Shares and dividends and other moneys payable in respect of the Shares, whether the Shares are held by the Member solely or jointly with another person in respect of any payment made or liability incurred by the Company, together with reasonable expenses and interest on any payment made by the Company at a rate to be fixed by the Directors not exceeding 10% per annum from the date of payment by the Company to the date of repayment by the Member;
-
(ii) may set off amounts so paid by the Company against amounts payable by the Company to the Member as dividends or otherwise; and
-
(iii) may recover as a debt due from the Member or its legal personal representative the amount of all payments made by the Company together with reasonable expenses and interest at the rate and for the period referred to in clause 18.3(b)(i) .
-
-
18.4 The Company may do all things that the Directors think necessary or appropriate to do under the Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules to enforce or protect the Company's lien.
-
18.5 Unless the Directors determine otherwise, the registration of a transfer of a Share operates as a waiver of the Company's lien on the Share.
-
18.6 The Directors may declare a Share to be wholly or partly exempt from a lien.
19. Lien sale
If:
-
(a) the Company has a lien on a Share for money presently payable; and
-
(b) the Company has given the Member or the Member's executors or administrators (as the case may be) holding the Share written notice demanding payment of the money; and
-
(c) that Member fails to pay all of the money demanded, then 14 or more days after giving the notice, the Directors may, if the ASX Listing Rules permit, sell the Share in any manner determined by them.
Page 13
20. Forfeiture notice
-
20.1 The Directors may at any time after a call or instalment becomes payable and remains unpaid by a Member, serve a notice on the Member requiring the Member to pay all or any of the following:
-
(a) the unpaid amount;
-
(b) any interest that has accrued; and
-
(c) all reasonable expenses incurred by the Company as a consequence of the non-payment.
-
20.2 The notice under clause 20.1 must:
-
(a) specify a day (not earlier than 14 days after the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice must be made; and
-
(b) state that if a Member does not comply with the notice, the Shares in respect of which the call was made or instalment is payable will be liable to be forfeited.
21. Forfeiture
-
21.1 If a Member does not comply with a notice served under clause 20 , then any or all of the Shares in respect of which the notice was given may be forfeited under a resolution of the Directors.
-
21.2 Unpaid dividends in respect of forfeited Shares will also be forfeited.
-
21.3 On forfeiture, Shares become the property of the Company and forfeited Shares must be:
-
(a) sold, disposed of, or cancelled; or
-
(b) offered by public auction,
in each case in accordance with any requirements of the ASX Listing Rules.
-
21.4 The Directors may, at any time before a forfeited Share is sold, disposed of or cancelled, annul the forfeiture of the Share on conditions determined by them.
-
21.5 Promptly after a Share has been forfeited:
-
(a) notice of the forfeiture must be given to the Member in whose name the Share was registered immediately before its forfeiture; and
-
(b) the forfeiture and its date must be noted in the Register.
-
21.6 Omission or neglect to give notice of or to note the forfeiture as specified in clause 21.5 will not invalidate a forfeiture.
22. Liability of former Member
-
22.1 The interest of a person who held Shares that are forfeited is extinguished but subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the former Member remains liable to pay:
-
(a) all money (including interest and expenses if applicable) that was payable by the Member to the Company at the date of forfeiture in respect of the forfeited Shares;
-
(b) reasonable interest from the date of forfeiture until payment of the money referred to in clause 22.1(a) , of this clause at a rate determined by the Directors (not exceeding 10% per annum); and
-
(c) reasonable expenses incurred in recovering any money or interest liable to be paid under this clause 22 .
-
22.2 A former Member's liability to the Company ceases if and when the Company receives payment in full of all money (including interest and expenses) payable by the former Member in respect of the Shares or if disinterested Members approve the release or waiver of the former Member's liability by ordinary resolution.
Page 14
23. Disposal of Shares
-
23.1 The Company may:
-
(a) receive the consideration (if any) given for a forfeited Share on any sale or disposition of the Share, or a Share sold under a lien sale; and
-
(b) effect a transfer of the Share in favour of a person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of.
-
23.2 The purchaser of the Share:
-
(a) is not bound to check the regularity of the sale or the application of the purchase price;
-
(b) obtains title to the Share despite any irregularity in the sale; and
-
(c) will not be subject to complaint or remedy by the former holder of the Share in respect of the purchase.
-
23.3 A statement signed by a Director and the Secretary that the Share has been regularly forfeited and sold or reissued or regularly sold without forfeiture to enforce a lien, is conclusive evidence of the matters stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.
-
23.4 Subject to the terms on which a Share is on issue, the net proceeds of any sale made to enforce a lien or on forfeiture must be applied by the Company in the following order:
-
(a) in payment of the costs of the sale;
-
(b) in payment of all amounts (if any) secured by the lien or all money (if any) that was payable in respect of the forfeited Share; and
-
(c) where the Share was forfeited under clause 21.1 , in payment of any surplus to the former Member whose Share was sold.
Transfer of Shares
24. General
-
24.1 Subject to this Constitution, a Member may transfer Shares held by that Member.
-
24.2 Subject to clause 24.3 , Shares may be transferred by:
-
(a) a written transfer instrument in any usual or common form; or
-
(b) any other form approved by the Directors (that is not otherwise prohibited by the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules, or corresponding laws or securities exchange rules in any other country to which the Company is bound).
-
24.3 The Company may participate in any computerised or electronic system for market settlement, securities transfer and registration conducted in accordance with the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules, (or corresponding laws or securities exchange rules in any other country to which the Company is bound).
-
24.4 If the Company participates in a system of the kind described in clause 24.3 , then despite any other provision of this Constitution:
-
(a) Shares may be transferred, and transfers may be registered, in any manner required or permitted by the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules or the CS Facility Rules (or corresponding laws or securities exchange rules in any other country) applying in relation to the system;
-
(b) the Company must comply with and give effect to those rules, unless they are waived or modified by any regulatory authority, self-regulating authority, stock exchange or other financial market which administers any such rules; and
-
(c) the Company may, in accordance with those rules, decline to issue certificates for holdings of Shares.
Page 15
-
24.5 A written transfer instrument must be:
-
(a) executed by the transferor or (where the Corporations Act permits) stamped by the transferor's broker;
-
(b) unless the Directors decide otherwise in the case of a fully paid Share, executed by the transferee or (where the Corporations Act permits) stamped by the transferee's broker; and
-
(c) in the case of a transfer of partly paid Shares, endorsed or accompanied by an instrument executed by the transferee or by the transferee's broker to the effect that the transferee agrees to accept the Shares subject to the terms and conditions on which the transferor held them, to become a Member and to be bound by the Constitution.
Subject to the Corporations Act, the written transfer instrument may comprise more than one document.
-
24.6 Except as required by the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules:
-
(a) a transferor of Shares remains the holder of the Shares transferred until the transfer is registered and the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the Shares; and
-
(b) a transfer of Shares does not pass the right to any dividends on the Shares until such registration.
25. Proportional takeover bid
-
25.1 Registration of a transfer giving effect to a contract resulting from the acceptance of an offer made under a proportional takeover bid is prohibited unless and until an Approving Resolution approving the proportional takeover bid is passed.
-
25.2 A person (other than the bidder and an associate of the bidder) who, as at the end of the day on which the first offer under the proportional takeover bid was made, held bid-class Shares is entitled to:
-
(a) vote on a Approving Resolution; and
-
(b) has one vote for each bid-class Share held.
-
25.3 Where offers have been made under a proportional takeover bid, the Directors must ensure that an Approving Resolution is voted on at a meeting of the persons described in clause 25.2 before the Approving Resolution Deadline.
-
25.4 An Approving Resolution is passed if more than 50% of the votes cast on the resolution are cast in favour of the resolution, and otherwise is taken to have been rejected.
-
25.5 The provisions of this Constitution that apply to a general meeting of the Company apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, to a meeting that is called under this clause as if the meeting was a general meeting of the Company.
-
25.6 If an Approving Resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid is voted on in accordance with this clause before the Approving Resolution Deadline, the Company must, on or before the Approving Resolution Deadline, give:
-
(a) the bidder; and
-
(b) each relevant financial market,
a written notice stating that an Approving Resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid has been voted on and whether it was passed or rejected.
-
25.7 If no resolution has been voted on in accordance with this clause as at the end of the day before the Approving Resolution Deadline, a resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid is taken, for the purposes of this clause, to have been passed in accordance with this clause.
-
25.8 Under the Corporations Act, this clause 25 automatically ceases to have effect on the date that is three years after the date of adoption of this Constitution, unless this clause 25 is renewed in accordance with the Corporations Act.
Page 16
26. Transfer procedure
-
26.1 Except where the Directors determine (to comply with laws or securities exchange rules of a foreign country or the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules), for a transfer of Shares that is not an ASX Settlement-regulated transfer:
-
(a) the original written transfer instrument must be left at the Company's registered office or another place acceptable to the Company;
-
(b) the instrument must be accompanied by a certificate for the Shares dealt with in the transfer where a certificate has been issued, unless the Directors waive the requirement to produce the certificate upon the receipt of satisfactory evidence of the loss or destruction of the certificate; and
-
(c) the Directors may, if the ASX Listing Rules permit, require other evidence of the transferor's right to transfer the Shares.
-
26.2 For a transfer of Shares that is an ASX Settlement-regulated transfer, a Share transfer must be effected in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules.
27. Right to refuse registration
-
27.1 The Directors may in their absolute discretion refuse to register any transfer of Shares or other securities where the Shares or other securities are not quoted by ASX. Where the Shares or other securities are quoted by ASX, the Directors may in their absolute discretion refuse to register any transfer in any of the circumstances permitted by the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules.
-
27.2 The Directors must:
-
(a) except as permitted by ASX, refuse to register any transfer of Shares or other securities that are Restricted Securities if that transfer is or might be in breach of the ASX Listing Rules or any restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the ASX Listing Rules in relation to the Shares; and
-
(b) refuse to register any transfer where the Company is, or the Directors are, required to do so by the ASX Listing Rules or other rules of ASX.
-
27.3 Despite clauses 27.1 and 27.2 , the Company must not refuse or fail to register or give effect to, or delay or in any way interfere with, a proper ASX Settlement transfer of Shares or other securities quoted by ASX. This clause 27.2 does not apply to a paper-based transfer document which is not a proper instrument of transfer.
-
27.4 If a person has lodged a transfer that the Directors have refused to register, the Company must, within five Business Days after the date of lodgement, give to the lodging person written notice of the refusal and the reasons for it.
-
27.5 Subject to clause 27.3 , Restricted Securities cannot be disposed of during the escrow period except as permitted by the ASX Listing Rules or ASX. The Company will refuse to acknowledge a disposal of Restricted Securities to the extent required under the ASX Listing Rules.
Transmission of Shares
28. Title on death
-
28.1 The legal personal representative of a deceased Member who was the sole holder of Shares is the only person whom the Company will recognise as having any title to the deceased Member's Shares.
-
28.2 If a deceased Member was a joint holder of Shares, the other joint holders are the only persons whom the Company will recognise as having any title to the deceased Member's Shares.
-
28.3 The estate of the deceased Member will not be released from any liability to the Company in respect of the Shares.
Page 17
- 28.4 The Company may register or give effect to a transfer to a transferee who dies before the transfer is registered.
29. Entitlement to transmission
-
29.1 A person who becomes entitled to a Share in consequence of the death, mental incapacity or bankruptcy of a Member may, subject to clause 27 and to producing to the Company evidence of its entitlement which is satisfactory to the Directors, elect to:
-
(a) be registered as the holder of the Share; or
-
(b) transfer the Share to some other person nominated by it.
-
29.2 If the person who has become entitled to a Share:
-
(a) elects to be registered as the holder, then the person must deliver or send to the Company a written notice of election signed by him or her; or
-
(b) elects to transfer the Share, then the person must effect a transfer of the Share.
-
29.3 An election to be registered as a holder of a Share under clause 29.1(a) or a transfer of a Share from a Member or deceased Member under this clause 29 is subject to the same limitations, restrictions and provisions of this Constitution as would apply if the election were a transfer or the transfer were made by the Member or deceased Member himself or herself.
-
29.4 A person who:
-
(a) has become entitled to a Share by operation of law; and
-
(b) has produced evidence of that person's entitlement that is satisfactory to the Directors,
is entitled to the dividends and other rights of the registered holder of the Share.
-
29.5 Where two or more persons are jointly entitled to any Share in consequence of the death of the registered holder, they will, subject to clause 8 , be considered to be joint holders of the Share.
-
29.6 Any person who is registered under this clause must indemnify the Company against all liabilities, costs, losses and expenses incurred by the Company as a result of registering the person.
Changes to Share capital
30. Consolidation or division
For the purpose of giving effect to any consolidation or division of Shares (including partly paid Shares), the Directors may, subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules, the ASX Settlement Rules, CS Facility Rules or other applicable rules of ASX and this Constitution, settle any difficulty that arises with respect to fractions of Shares in any manner that they think expedient.
Powers of attorney
31. Powers of attorney
-
31.1 If a Member executes or proposes to execute any document or do any act by or through an attorney that is relevant to the Company or the Member's shareholding in the Company, that Member must deliver a copy of the instrument appointing the attorney to the Company.
-
31.2 The Company may require the Member to lodge a certified copy of the instrument for retention by the Company, and ask for whatever evidence it deems appropriate to ensure that the power of attorney is effective and continues to be in full force and effect.
Page 18
-
31.3 Any power of attorney granted by a Member will, as between the Company and the Member who granted the power of attorney:
-
(a) continue in full force and effect; and
-
(b) may be acted on,
-
unless express notice in writing of its revocation or of the death of the Member who granted it is lodged with the Company.
-
31.4 Where a Member proposes that an attorney represent the Member at a general meeting or adjourned meeting, the Member must comply with clause 53.1 of this Constitution.
General meetings
32. Calling general meeting
-
32.1 The Directors may call a meeting of Members.
-
32.2 The Directors must call annual general meetings in accordance with the Corporations Act, to be held by the Company at times to be determined by the Directors.
-
32.3 Members may also request or call and arrange to hold general meetings in accordance with the procedures and requirements set out in the Corporations Act.
-
32.4 A general meeting may be held at two or more venues simultaneously using any technology that gives the Members as a whole a reasonable opportunity to participate.
33. Notice
-
33.1 Notice of a general meeting must be given in accordance with the Corporations Act to the persons referred to in clause 100.1 .
-
33.2 Except as permitted by the Corporations Act, general meetings must be called on at least the minimum number of days notice required by the Corporations Act (which at the date of adoption of this Constitution is 28 days) and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set out in the Corporations Act.
-
33.3 Subject to the requirements of the Corporations Act, a notice calling a general meeting must:
-
(a) specify the place, date and time of the meeting (and if the meeting is to be held in two or more places, the technology that will be used to facilitate this);
-
(b) state the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting;
-
(c) if a special resolution is to be proposed at the meeting, set out an intention to propose the special resolution and state the resolution;
-
(d) include such statements about the appointment of proxies as are required by the Corporations Act;
-
(e) specify a place and facsimile number and may specify an electronic address for the purposes of proxy appointments;
-
(f) subject to the CS Facility Rules, specify particulars of any determination made under regulation 7.11.37 of the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth); and
-
(g) comply with any other requirements of the Corporations Act.
34. Business
-
34.1 The business of an annual general meeting may include:
-
(a) any of the following matters, even if not referred to in the notice of meeting:
- (i) consideration of the annual financial report, Directors' report and Auditor's report;
Page 19
- (ii) election of Directors;
- (iii) appointment of the Auditor;
- (iv) fixing the Auditor's remuneration;
-
(b) any business which under this Constitution or the Corporations Act is required to be transacted at an annual general meeting; and
-
(c) any other business that may lawfully be transacted at a general meeting.
-
34.2 The chairperson of an annual general meeting must allow a reasonable opportunity for the Members as a whole at the meeting to:
-
(a) ask questions about or make comments on the management of the Company; and
-
(b) ask the Auditor or its representative questions relevant to the conduct of the audit and the preparation and content of the Auditor's report for the Company.
-
34.3 The Directors may postpone or cancel any general meeting (other than a meeting requested or called by Members under clause 32.3 ) at any time before the day of the meeting. The Directors must give notice of the postponement or cancellation to all persons entitled to receive notices of a general meeting.
-
34.4 An accidental omission to send a notice of a general meeting (including a proxy appointment form) or the postponement of a general meeting to any Member or the non-receipt of a notice (or form) by any Member does not invalidate the proceedings or any resolution passed at the general meeting.
Proceedings at general meetings
35. Member
- In clauses 36 , 37 , 40 and 45 , Member includes a Member present in person or by proxy (whether or not the Member or Members they represent cast Direct Votes), attorney or Representative.
36. Quorum
-
36.1 No business may be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the commencement of business.
-
36.2 A quorum of Members is five or more Members present at the general meeting and entitled to vote on a resolution at that meeting (unless the Company has only one Member, in which case a quorum is that Member). Each individual present may only be counted once in determining whether there is a quorum of Members. If a Member has appointed more than one proxy or Representative only one of them may be counted.
-
36.3 If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time appointed for a general meeting:
-
(a) the general meeting is automatically dissolved if it was requested or called by Members under clause 32.3 ; or
-
(b) in any other case:
-
(i) it will stand adjourned to the same time and place five Business Days after the meeting, or to another day, time and place determined by the Directors; and
-
(ii) if at the adjourned general meeting a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time appointed for the general meeting the general meeting is automatically dissolved.
-
37. Chairperson
- 37.1 The chairperson, or in the chairperson's absence the deputy chairperson, of Directors' meetings will be the chairperson at every general meeting.
Page 20
-
37.2 If:
-
(a) there is no chairperson or deputy chairperson; or
-
(b) neither the chairperson nor deputy chairperson is present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the general meeting; or
-
(c) the chairperson and deputy chairperson are unwilling to act as chairperson of the general meeting,
the Directors present may elect a chairperson of the general meeting of the Members.
-
37.3 If no chairperson is elected in accordance with clause 37.2 , then:
-
(a) the Members may elect one of the Directors present as chairperson; or
-
(b) if no Director is present or is willing to take the chair, the Members may elect one of the Members present as chairperson.
-
37.4 At any time during a general meeting and in respect of any specific item or items of business, the chairperson may elect to vacate the chair in favour of another person nominated by the chairperson (who must be a Director unless no Director is present or is willing to act). That person is to be taken to be the chairperson and will have all the powers of the chairperson (other than the power to adjourn the meeting), during the consideration of that item of business or those items of business.
-
37.5 If there is a dispute at a general meeting about a question of procedure, the chairperson may determine the question. Any decision of the chairperson under this rule, if made in good faith, will be final and conclusive.
38. General conduct
The general conduct of each general meeting of the Company and the procedures to be adopted at the meeting will be determined by the chairperson, including the procedure for the conduct of the election of Directors.
39. Adjournment
-
39.1 The chairperson of a general meeting at which a quorum is present:
-
(a) may adjourn the general meeting in his or her discretion; and
-
(b) must adjourn the general meeting if the meeting directs him or her to do so.
-
39.2 An adjourned general meeting may take place at a different venue from the initial general meeting.
-
39.3 The only business that can be transacted at an adjourned general meeting is the unfinished business of the initial general meeting.
-
39.4 If a general meeting has been adjourned for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned general meeting must be given to Members as if it were an original general meeting, but otherwise it is not necessary to give notice of an adjourned general meeting or the business of the adjourned general meeting.
-
39.5 A poll cannot be demanded on any resolution concerning the adjournment of a general meeting except by the chairperson.
40. Decisions
-
40.1 Subject to the Corporations Act in relation to special resolutions, a resolution put to the vote of a general meeting is carried if a simple majority of the votes cast on the resolution are in favour of the resolution.
-
40.2 A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting is decided on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by:
-
(a) at least five Members entitled to vote on the resolution;
Page 21
-
(b) Members with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast on the resolution on a poll; or
-
(c) the chairperson.
-
40.3 A poll may be demanded:
-
(a) before a vote is taken; or
-
(b) in the case of a vote taken on a show of hands, immediately before or immediately after the results of the vote are declared.
-
40.4 Unless a poll is demanded:
-
(a) a declaration by the chairperson that a resolution has been carried, carried by a specified majority, or lost; and
-
(b) an entry to that effect in the minutes of the general meeting,
are, together, conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes in favour of or against the resolution.
-
40.5 The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.
-
40.6 A decision of a general meeting may not be impeached or invalidated on the ground that a person voting at the meeting was not entitled to do so.
41. Taking a poll
-
41.1 Subject to clause 41.5 , a poll will be taken when and in the manner that the chairperson directs. No notice need be given of any poll.
-
41.2 The result of the poll will determine whether the resolution on which the poll was demanded is carried or lost.
-
41.3 The chairperson may determine any dispute about the admission or rejection of a vote, and such determination, if made in good faith, will be final and conclusive.
-
41.4 A poll cannot be demanded on any resolution concerning the election of the chairperson of a general meeting.
-
41.5 A poll demanded by the chairperson on any resolution concerning the adjournment of a general meeting must be taken immediately.
-
41.6 After a poll has been demanded at a general meeting, the general meeting may continue for the transaction of business other than the question on which the poll was demanded.
42. Casting vote of chairperson
The chairperson has a casting vote (in addition to the chairperson's votes as a Member, proxy, attorney or Representative) on a show of hands or on a poll.
43. Admission to general meetings
The chairperson of a general meeting may refuse admission to a person at, or require a person to leave and not return to, a meeting if the person:
-
(a) refuses to permit examination of any article in the person's possession; or
-
(b) is in possession of any:
-
(i) electronic or recording device;
-
(ii) placard or banner; or
-
(iii) other article, which the chairperson considers to be dangerous, offensive or liable to cause disruption; or
-
(c) causes any disruption to the meeting.
Page 22
44. Auditor's right to be heard
The Auditor is entitled to:
-
(a) attend any general meeting of the Company;
-
(b) be heard at any general meeting of the Company on any part of the business of the meeting that concerns the Auditor in its capacity as auditor, even if:
-
(i) the Auditor retires at the general meeting; or
-
(ii) Members pass a resolution to remove the Auditor from office; and
-
(c) authorise a person in writing to attend and speak at any general meeting as the Auditor's representative.
Votes of Members
45. Entitlement to vote
-
45.1 Subject to this Constitution and to any rights or restrictions attaching to any class of Shares:
-
(a) every Member may vote;
-
(b) subject to clause 49.4 and the Corporations Act, on a show of hands every Member has one vote; and
-
(c) on a poll every Member has:
-
(i) for each fully paid Share held by the Member, one vote; and
-
(ii) for each partly-paid Share held by the Member, a fraction of a vote equivalent to the proportion which the amount paid (not credited) is of the total amounts paid and payable, whether or not called (excluding amounts credited), on the Share. Without limiting the generality of clause 17.3 , an amount paid on a Share in advance of a call is not to be taken as paid for the purposes of this clause.
-
-
45.2 During a breach of the ASX Listing Rules relating to Shares which are Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the ASX Listing Rules in relation to the Shares, the holder of the relevant Restricted Securities is not entitled to any voting rights in respect of those Restricted Securities.
-
45.3 If a Member:
-
(a) dies; or
-
(b) through mental or physical infirmity, is incapable of managing the Member's affairs,
and a personal representative, trustee or other person is appointed under law to administer the Member's estate or property, the personal representative, trustee or person so appointed may exercise any rights of the Member in relation to a general meeting as if the personal representative, trustee or person (as the case may be) was a Member.
46. Unpaid calls
A Member is entitled to:
-
(a) vote; or
-
(b) be counted in a quorum,
only in respect of Shares on which all calls due and payable have been paid.
47. Joint holders
- 47.1 If two or more joint holders purport to vote, the vote of the joint holder whose name appears first in the Register will be accepted, to the exclusion of the other joint holder or holders.
Page 23
- 47.2 For the purposes of this clause 47 , several executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose sole name any Shares are registered will be taken to be joint holders of those Shares.
48. Objections
-
48.1 An objection to the qualification of a voter may only be raised at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the voter tendered its vote.
-
48.2 An objection must be referred to the chairperson of the general meeting, whose decision made in good faith in relation to such objection is final and conclusive.
-
48.3 Subject to clause 48.4 , a vote that the chairperson does not disallow under an objection is valid for all purposes.
-
48.4 A vote that the ASX Listing Rules require the Company to disregard is not valid.
49. Votes by proxy
-
49.1 A Member who is entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company may appoint not more than two proxies to attend and vote at the general meeting on that Member's behalf.
-
49.2 A proxy need not be a Member.
-
49.3 If a Member appoints one proxy, that proxy may, subject to the Corporations Act, vote on a show of hands.
-
49.4 If a Member appoints two proxies and the appointment does not specify the proportion or number of the Member's votes each proxy may exercise, each proxy may exercise half the votes. However, neither proxy may vote on a show of hands.
-
49.5 Subject to clause 40 , a proxy may demand or join in demanding a poll.
-
49.6 A proxy may vote or abstain as he or she chooses except where the appointment of the proxy directs the way the proxy is to vote on a particular resolution. If an appointment directs the way the proxy is to vote on a particular resolution:
-
(a) the proxy need not vote on a show of hands, but if the proxy does so, the proxy must vote that way;
-
(b) if the proxy has two or more appointments that specify different ways to vote on the resolution - the proxy must not vote on a show of hands;
-
(c) if the proxy is the chairperson - the proxy must vote on a poll and must vote that way; and
-
(d) if the proxy is not the chairperson - the proxy need not vote on a poll, but if the proxy does so, the proxy must vote that way.
-
49.7 If:
-
(a) a Member nominates the chairperson of the meeting as the Member's proxy; or
-
(b) the chairperson is to act as proxy under clause 52 or otherwise under a default appointment according to the terms of the proxy form,
then the person acting as chairperson in respect of an item of business at the meeting must act as proxy under the appointment in respect of that item of business.
50. Direct Votes
- 50.1 The Directors may determine that, for any general meeting or class meeting, a Member who is entitled to attend and vote at that meeting may submit a Direct Vote. A Direct Vote includes a vote delivered to the Company by post, fax or other electronic means approved by the Directors. The Directors may specify the form, method and timing of giving a Direct Vote in respect of a meeting, and any other requirements, in order for a Direct Vote to be valid.
Page 24
51. Document appointing proxy
-
51.1 An appointment of a proxy is valid if it is signed by the Member making the appointment and contains the information required by subsection 250A(1) of the Corporations Act.
-
51.2 For the purposes of clause 51.1 , an appointment received at an electronic address will be taken to be signed by the Member if:
-
(a) a personal identification code allocated by the Company to the Member has been input into the appointment; or
-
(b) the appointment has been verified in another manner approved by the Directors.
-
51.3 The Company may send a proxy appointment form to Members in a form which has been approved by the Directors or by the chairperson and the Managing Director.
-
51.4 A proxy's appointment is valid at an adjourned general meeting.
-
51.5 A proxy or attorney may be appointed for all meetings or for any number of general meetings or for a particular purpose.
-
51.6 Unless otherwise provided for in the proxy's appointment or in any instrument appointing an attorney, the appointment of the proxy or the attorney will be taken to confer authority:
-
(a) to vote on:
-
(i) any amendment moved to the proposed resolutions and on any motion that the proposed resolutions not be put or any similar motion; and
-
(ii) any procedural motion, including any motion to elect the chairperson, to vacate the chair or to adjourn the general meeting,
-
even though the appointment may specify the way the proxy or attorney is to vote on a particular resolution; and
-
-
(b) to vote on any motion before the general meeting whether or not the motion is referred to in the appointment.
52. Proxy in blank
If a proxy appointment is signed by the Member but does not name the proxy or proxies in whose favour it is given, the chairperson may either act as proxy or complete the proxy appointment by inserting the name or names of one or more Directors or the Secretary.
53. Lodgement of proxy
-
53.1 Subject to clause 53.3 , the appointment of a proxy or attorney must be received by the Company at least 48 hours (unless reduced in the notice of meeting to which the appointment relates) before the general meeting (or the resumption of an adjourned general meeting) at which the appointee is to attend and vote.
-
53.2 If the appointment purports to be executed under a power of attorney or other authority, the original document or a certified copy of it must be received by the Company at least 48 hours (unless reduced in the notice of meeting to which the appointment relates) before the general meeting (or the resumption of an adjourned general meeting).
-
53.3 The Company receives an appointment of a proxy or attorney or other authority under which it was signed when it is received at:
-
(a) the Company's registered office;
-
(b) a facsimile number at the Company's registered office; or
-
(c) a place, facsimile number or electronic address specified for that purpose in the notice of general meeting.
Page 25
54. Validity
A vote cast in accordance with an appointment of proxy or power of attorney is valid even if before the vote was cast the appointor:
-
(a) died;
-
(b) became mentally incapacitated;
-
(c) revoked the proxy or power; or
-
(d) transferred the Shares in respect of which the vote was cast,
unless the Company received written notification of the death, mental incapacity, revocation or transfer before the relevant general meeting or adjourned general meeting.
55. Representatives of bodies corporate
-
55.1 Any Member that is a body corporate may appoint an individual as its representative as prescribed by the Corporations Act.
-
55.2 The appointment of a Representative may set out restrictions on the Representative's powers.
-
55.3 The original form of appointment of a Representative, a certified copy of the appointment, or a certificate of the body corporate evidencing the appointment of a Representative is prima facie evidence of a Representative having been appointed.
-
55.4 The chairperson of a general meeting may permit a person claiming to be a Representative to exercise the body's powers even if he or she has not produced a certificate or other satisfactory evidence of his or her appointment.
Appointment and removal of Directors
56. Number of Directors
-
56.1 Subject to the Corporations Act, the Company may by resolution passed at a general meeting increase or reduce the minimum number of Directors or increase or reduce the maximum number of Directors.
-
56.2 Until the Company resolves otherwise in accordance with clause 56.1 there will be:
-
(a) a minimum of three Directors; and
-
(b) a maximum of eight Directors.
-
56.3 Subject to any resolution of the Members determining the maximum and minimum numbers of Directors, the Directors may from time to time determine the respective numbers of Executive and Non-Executive Directors.
-
56.4 The Directors and Secretary in office on the date this Constitution becomes effective continue in office subject to this Constitution.
57. Qualification
-
57.1 Neither a Director nor an Alternate Director has to hold any Shares.
-
57.2 In addition to the circumstances which disqualify a person from managing a corporation according to the Corporations Act, no person who has been an insolvent under administration within the previous five years is eligible to become a Director.
-
57.3 A Director (and an Alternate Director when acting as a Director) is entitled to notice of all general meetings and meetings of the holders of any class of Shares.
Page 26
58. Power to remove and appoint
-
58.1 The Company may, subject to the Corporations Act, by resolution passed in general meeting:
-
(a) remove any Director before the end of the Director's term of office; and
-
(b) if the outgoing Director is a Non-Executive Director, elect another person to replace the Director.
-
58.2 A person appointed under clause 58.1(b) will hold office for the remainder of the term for which the Director replaced would have held office if the Director had not been removed.
-
58.3 Subject to the Corporations Act and the provisions of this Constitution, the Company may appoint a person as a Director by resolution passed in general meeting.
-
58.4 A Director appointed or elected at a general meeting is taken to have been appointed or elected with effect from immediately after the end of that general meeting unless the resolution by which the Director was appointed or elected specifies a different time, in which case the Director is taken to have been appointed or elected at that time.
-
58.5 If the conduct or position of any Director is such that continuance in office appears to the majority of the Directors to be prejudicial to the interests of the Company, a majority of Directors at a meeting of the Directors specifically called for that purpose may suspend that Director.
-
58.6 A suspended Director may not take any part in the business or affairs of the Company until the suspension has been lifted.
-
58.7 Within 14 days of the suspension of a Director, the remaining Directors must call a general meeting at which the Members may consider a motion to remove the Director from office in accordance with clause 58.1(a) .
-
58.8 If a motion to remove a suspended Director from office is not carried at the general meeting called to consider the matter, the suspension of the Director is lifted and the Director is reinstated in his or her office.
-
58.9 The Company must hold an election for director each year.
59. Additional and casual Directors
-
59.1 Subject to clause 56 , only the Directors may appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Directors.
-
59.2 Unless the Director is the Managing Director and the ASX Listing Rules do not require that Director to be subject to retirement as set out in this clause, a Director appointed under clause 59.1 will hold office until the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company, at which time the Director may be re-elected but he or she will not be taken into account in determining the number of Directors who must retire by rotation at the meeting in accordance with clause 60.1 .
60. Retirement by rotation
-
60.1 Subject to clause 77.9 , at the close of each annual general meeting one-third of the Directors or, if their number is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest to but (subject to clause 60.4 ) not more than one-third of the Directors, must retire.
-
60.2 The Directors to retire by rotation at an annual general meeting are those Directors who have been longest in office since their last election.
-
60.3 Directors elected on the same day may agree among themselves or determine by lot which of them must retire.
-
60.4 Subject to clause 77.9 , a Director must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after the Director was last elected, even if his or her retirement results in more than one-third of all Directors retiring from office.
-
60.5 A retiring Director remains in office until the end of the meeting and will be eligible for re-election at the meeting.
Page 27
61. Nomination of Director
-
61.1 A person, other than a Director retiring under clause 59.2 or under clause 60.1 who seeks reelection, is not eligible for election as a Director at a general meeting unless:
-
(a) the person is proposed as a candidate by a member (who may be the candidate); and
-
(b) the proposing Member leaves a notice at the Company's registered office which nominates the candidate for the office of Director and includes the signed consent of the candidate.
-
61.2 A notice given in accordance with clause 61.1 must be left at the Company's registered office not less than 45 Business Days before the relevant general meeting.
62. Vacation of office
The office of a Director immediately becomes vacant if the Director:
-
(a) ceases to be a Director by virtue of the Corporations Act;
-
(b) is prohibited by the Corporations Act from holding office or continuing as a Director;
-
(c) is liable to pay a call but does not pay the call within 21 days after the date on which it is payable;
-
(d) is prohibited from holding or is removed from the office of Director by an order made under the Corporations Act;
-
(e) becomes bankrupt or makes any general arrangement or composition with his or her creditors;
-
(f) cannot fully participate in the management of the Company because of his or her mental incapacity or is a person whose estate is liable to have a person appointed, under the law relating to the administration of estates of persons who through mental or physical infirmity are incapable of managing their affairs, to administer it, or becomes in the opinion of the Directors incapable of performing his or her duties;
-
(g) resigns from his or her office of Director by notice in writing to the Company;
-
(h) is removed by a resolution of the Company; or
-
(i) fails to attend (either personally or by Alternate) three consecutive Directors' meetings (not including meetings of committees formed by the Directors) without leave of absence from the Directors.
Remuneration of Directors
63. Remuneration of Non-Executive Directors
-
63.1 Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the Directors as a whole (other than Executive Directors) may be paid or provided remuneration for their services the total amount or value of which must not exceed an aggregate maximum of A$750,000 per annum (including statutory superannuation contributions) or such other maximum amount determined from time to time by the Company in general meeting.
-
63.2 The notice calling a general meeting at which it is proposed that Members approve an increase of the aggregate maximum sum must state the amount of the increase and the aggregate maximum sum, and any other matters required by the ASX Listing Rules.
-
63.3 Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the aggregate maximum sum will be divided among the NonExecutive Directors in such proportion and manner as the Directors agree and, in default of agreement, equally and shall be deemed to accrue from day to day.
-
63.4 Non-Executive Directors may not be paid a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue.
Page 28
-
63.5 If a Non-Executive Director is required to perform services for the Company that in the opinion of the Directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, the Company may pay or provide the Director remuneration determined by the Directors which may be either in addition to or instead of the Director's remuneration under clause 63.1 . No remuneration may be paid or provided under this clause 63.5 if the effect would be to exceed the aggregate maximum sum of Directors' remuneration determined by the Company in general meeting.
-
63.6 Non-Executive Directors may also be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the Directors or any committee of the Directors or general meetings of the Company or otherwise in connection with the Company's affairs.
-
63.7 The Company may also pay a premium for a contract insuring a person who is or has been a Non- Executive Director against liability incurred by the person as a Director, except in circumstances prohibited by the Corporations Act.
-
63.8 Shares and other securities of the Company may be provided to Non-Executive Directors as part of their remuneration under clauses 63.3 and 63.4 according to the rules of any incentive scheme for the remuneration of Non-Executive Directors that may be introduced by the Company. For the purposes of clause 63.1 , the value of any Shares or other securities of the Company provided will be determined according to the rules of the applicable incentive scheme.
64. Remuneration of Executive Directors
-
64.1 The remuneration of an Executive Director may from time to time be fixed by the Directors. The remuneration may be by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or by all or any of these modes but may not be by commission on, or a percentage of, operating revenue.
-
64.2 The Company may reimburse an Executive Director for his or her expenses properly incurred as a Director or in the course of his or her office.
-
64.3 Except in circumstances prohibited by the Corporations Act, the Company may pay a premium for a contract insuring a person who is or has been an Executive Director against liability incurred by the person as a Director.
65. Retirement and termination benefits
-
65.1 Subject to the Corporations Act, the Company may give a person a benefit in connection with a Director's retirement from a board or managerial office in the Company or a related body corporate of the Company.
-
65.2 Subject to the Corporations Act, the Company may enter into an agreement or contract with a person for the giving to the person or any other person of a benefit in connection with a Director's retirement from a board or managerial office in the Company or a related body corporate of the Company.
-
65.3 No officer of the Company, including the Directors, or any of its subsidiaries (as that term is defined in the Corporations Act) is entitled to termination benefits (as that term is defined in the ASX Listing Rules) (or any increase in them) if a change occurs in the shareholding or control of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
-
65.4 Without the approval of Members by ordinary resolution, the Directors must ensure that no officer of the Company, including the Directors, or any of its subsidiaries (as that term is defined in the Corporations Act) will be or may become entitled to termination benefits (as that term is defined in the ASX Listing Rules) if the value of those benefits and the termination benefits that are or may become payable to all officers together exceed 5% of the Company's equity interests (as defined in the ASX Listing Rules) as set out in the latest accounts given to ASX under the ASX Listing Rules.
Page 29
Powers and duties of Directors
66. Directors to manage Company
-
66.1 The business of the Company is managed by or under the direction of the Directors who may exercise all powers of the Company that this Constitution, the Corporations Act or the ASX Listing Rules do not require to be exercised by the Company in general meeting.
-
66.2 Without limiting the generality of clause 66.1 , the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to:
-
(a) borrow money;
-
(b) charge any property or business of the Company or all or any of its uncalled capital;
-
(c) issue debentures or give any other security for a debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person; and
-
(d) guarantee or to become liable for the payment of money or the performance of any obligation by or of any other person.
Proceedings of Directors
67. Directors' meetings
-
67.1 Any Director may call a meeting of the Directors.
-
67.2 A Directors' meeting must be called by giving not less than 48 hours' notice of a meeting to each Director, unless the Directors unanimously agree otherwise. The notice may be in writing or given using any technology consented to by all the Directors.
-
67.3 An accidental omission to send a notice of a meeting of Directors to any Director or the nonreceipt of such a notice by any Director does not invalidate the proceedings, or any resolution passed, at the meeting.
-
67.4 Subject to the Corporations Act, a Directors' meeting may be held by the Directors communicating with each other by any technological means consented to by all the Directors. The consent may be a standing one.
-
67.5 The Directors need not all be physically present in the same place for a Directors' meeting to be held.
-
67.6 A Director who participates in a meeting held in accordance with clause 67.4 is taken to be present and entitled to vote at the meeting.
-
67.7 A Director can only withdraw his or her consent under clause 67.4 to the means of communication between Directors proposed for a Directors' meeting if the Director does so at least 48 hours before the meeting.
-
67.8 Clause 67.4 applies to meetings of Directors' committees as if all committee members were Directors.
-
67.9 The Directors may meet together, adjourn and regulate their meetings as they think fit.
-
67.10 A quorum for meetings of Directors may be fixed by the Directors and unless so fixed, is three Directors present. The quorum must be present at all times during the meeting.
-
67.11 Where a quorum cannot be established for the consideration of a particular matter at a meeting of Directors, one or more of the Directors may call a general meeting of Members to deal with the matter.
68. Decisions
-
68.1 Questions arising at a meeting of Directors are to be decided by a majority of votes of the Directors present and voting and, subject to the Corporations Act, each Director has one vote.
-
68.2 Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, in the case of an equality of votes the chairperson of a meeting has a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote.
Page 30
- 68.3 An Alternate Director has one vote for each Director for whom he or she is an alternate. If an Alternate Director is a Director, he or she also has a vote as a Director.
69. Directors' interests
-
69.1 As required by the Corporations Act, a Director must give the Directors notice of any material personal interest in a matter that relates to the affairs of the Company.
-
69.2 Subject to the provisions of this clause 69 , a Director or a body or entity in which a Director has a direct or indirect interest may:
-
(a) enter into any agreement or arrangement with the Company;
-
(b) hold any office or place of profit other than as Auditor in the Company; and
-
(c) act in a professional capacity other than as Auditor for the Company,
and the Director or the body or entity can receive and keep beneficially any remuneration, profits or benefits under any agreement or arrangement with the Company or from holding an office or place of profit in or acting in a professional capacity with the Company.
-
69.3 The fact that a Director holds office as a director, and has fiduciary obligations arising out of that office:
-
(a) will not void or render voidable a contract made by a Director with the Company;
-
(b) will not void or render voidable a contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company and in which the Director may have any interest; and
-
(c) will not require the Director to account to the Company for any profit realised by or under any contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company and in which the Director may have any interest.
-
69.4 A Director may be or become a director or other officer of, or otherwise be interested in:
-
(a) any related body corporate of the Company; or
-
(b) any other body corporate promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a vendor, shareholder or otherwise,
and is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by the Director as a director or officer of, or from having an interest in, that body corporate.
-
69.5 A Director who has a material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a Directors' meeting must not:
-
(a) be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting; or
-
(b) vote on the matter,
unless permitted to do so by the Corporations Act, in which case the Director may:
-
(c) be counted in determining whether or not a quorum is present at any meeting of Directors considering that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement;
-
(d) sign or countersign any document relating to that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement; and
-
(e) vote in respect of, or in respect of any matter arising out of, the contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement.
-
69.6 A Director must give to the Company such information about the Shares or other securities in the Company in which the Director has a relevant interest and at the times that the Secretary requires, to enable the Company to comply with any disclosure obligations it has under the Corporations Act or the ASX Listing Rules.
70. Alternate Directors
- 70.1 A Director may, with the approval of the Directors, appoint any person as his or her alternate.
Page 31
-
70.2 An Alternate Director is entitled to notice of Directors' meetings while he or she is acting in that capacity and, if the appointor is not present at a meeting, is entitled to attend, be counted in a quorum and vote as a Director.
-
70.3 An Alternate Director is an officer of the Company and is not an agent of the appointor.
-
70.4 The provisions of this Constitution that apply to Directors also apply to Alternate Directors, except that Alternate Directors are not entitled in that capacity to any remuneration from the Company.
-
70.5 The appointment of an Alternate Director may be revoked at any time by the appointor or by the other Directors.
-
70.6 An Alternate Director's appointment ends automatically when his or her appointor ceases to be a Director.
-
70.7 Any appointment or revocation under this clause must be effected by written notice delivered to the Secretary.
-
70.8 An Alternate Director does not have an interest in a contract or arrangement or a material personal interest in a matter by reason only of the fact that his or her appointor has such an interest.
71. Remaining Directors
-
71.1 The Directors may act even if there are vacancies on the board.
-
71.2 If the number of Directors is not sufficient to constitute a quorum at a Directors' meeting, the Director or Directors may act only to:
-
(a) appoint a Director or Directors; or
-
(b) call a general meeting.
72. Chairperson
-
72.1 The Directors may elect a Director as chairperson of Directors' meetings and may determine the period for which the chairperson will hold office.
-
72.2 If no chairperson is elected or if the chairperson is not present at any Directors' meeting within 10 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to begin, the Directors present must elect a Director to be chairperson of the meeting.
-
72.3 The Directors may elect a Director as deputy chairperson to act as chairperson in the chairperson's absence.
73. Delegation
-
73.1 The Directors may delegate any of their powers, other than those that by law must be dealt with by the Directors as a board, to a committee or committees.
-
73.2 The Directors may at any time revoke any delegation of power under clause 73.1 .
-
73.3 At least one member of each committee of Directors must be a Director.
-
73.4 A committee may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers for the time being vested in it.
-
73.5 Meetings of any committee of Directors will be governed by the provisions of this Constitution which deal with Directors' meetings so far as they are applicable and are not inconsistent with any directions of the Directors. The provisions apply as if each member was a Director.
74. Written resolutions
- 74.1 If all the Directors who are eligible to vote on a resolution have signed a document containing a statement that they are in favour of a resolution set out in the document, then a resolution in those
Page 32
terms is taken to have been passed by the Directors without a meeting. The resolution is passed when the last Director signs.
-
74.2 For the purposes of clause 74.1 , separate copies of a document may be used for signing by the Directors if the wording of the resolution and statement is identical in each copy.
-
74.3 Any document referred to in this clause may be in the form of a facsimile transmission or electronic notification.
-
74.4 If a resolution is taken to have been passed in accordance with this clause 74 , the minutes must record that fact.
-
74.5 This clause 74 applies to meetings of Directors' committees as if all members of the committee were Directors.
-
74.6 Any document referred to in this clause 74 must be sent to every Director who is entitled to vote on the resolution.
75. Validity of acts of Directors
-
75.1 An act done by a Director is effective even if their appointment, or the continuance of their appointment, is invalid because the Company or Director did not comply with this Constitution or any provision of the Corporations Act.
-
75.2 Clause 75.1 does not deal with the question whether an effective act by a Director:
-
(a) binds the Company in its dealings with other people; or
-
(b) makes the Company liable to another person.
76. Minutes
-
76.1 The Directors must cause minutes to be made of:
-
(a) the names of the Directors present at all Directors' meetings and meetings of Directors' committees;
-
(b) all proceedings and resolutions of general meetings, Directors' meetings and meetings of Directors' committees;
-
(c) all resolutions passed in accordance with clause 74 ;
-
(d) appointments of officers, but only if the Directors resolve that a minute of the appointment should be made; and
-
(e) all disclosures of interests made in accordance with the Corporations Act.
-
76.2 Minutes must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting or by the chairperson of the next meeting, and if so signed will be conclusive evidence of the matters stated in such minutes.
Executive Directors
77. Appointment
-
77.1 The Directors may appoint a Director to the office of Managing Director on such terms as they think fit.
-
77.2 The Directors may appoint a Director to any other full-time or substantially full-time executive position in the Company on such terms as they think fit.
-
77.3 A Director appointed under clauses 77.1 or 77.2 , and a Director (however appointed) occupying for the time being a full-time or substantially full-time executive position in the Company or a related body corporate of the Company, is referred to in this Constitution as an Executive Director.
-
77.4 If the appointment of an Executive Director is for a fixed term, the term must not exceed five years.
Page 33
-
77.5 The Directors may, subject to the terms of the Executive Director's employment contract, suspend, remove or dismiss him or her from executive office and appoint another Director in his or her place.
-
77.6 If an Executive Director ceases to be a Director, his or her appointment as an Executive Director terminates automatically.
-
77.7 If the Managing Director ceases to hold an executive office in the Company, then, unless the Directors resolve otherwise, he or she also ceases to be a Director from the same date.
-
77.8 If an Executive Director is suspended from executive office of the Company or of a related body corporate of the Company, his or her duties and obligations as Director are suspended for the same period.
-
77.9 A Managing Director is not subject to retirement by rotation and is not to be taken into account in determining the rotation of retirement of Directors. Any other Executive Directors are subject to retirement by rotation.
78. Powers of Executive Directors
-
78.1 The Directors may confer on an Executive Director any powers exercisable by the Directors, subject to any terms and restrictions determined by the Directors.
-
78.2 The Directors may authorise an Executive Director to sub-delegate all or any of the powers vested in him or her.
-
78.3 Any power conferred under this clause may be concurrent with but not to the exclusion of the Directors' powers.
-
78.4 The Directors may at any time withdraw or vary any of the powers conferred on an Executive Director.
Local management
79. General
-
79.1 The Directors may provide for the management and transaction of the affairs of the Company in any place and in such manner as they think fit.
-
79.2 Without limiting clause 79.1 , the Directors may:
-
(a) establish local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company in a specified place and appoint any persons to be members of those local boards or agencies; and
-
(b) delegate to any person appointed under clause 79.2(a) any of the powers, authorities and discretions which may be exercised by the Directors under this Constitution,
on any terms and subject to any conditions determined by the Directors.
- 79.3 The Directors may at any time revoke or vary any delegation under this clause 79 .
80. Appointment of attorneys and agents
-
80.1 The Directors may from time to time by resolution or power of attorney appoint any person to be the attorney or agent of the Company:
-
(a) for the purposes;
-
(b) with the powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those exercisable by the Directors under this Constitution);
-
(c) for the period; and
-
(d) subject to the conditions,
determined by the Directors.
Page 34
-
80.2 An appointment by the Directors of an attorney or agent of the Company may be made in favour of:
-
(a) any member of any local board established under this Constitution;
-
(b) any company;
-
(c) the members, directors, nominees or managers of any company or firm; or
-
(d) any fluctuating body of persons whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors.
-
80.3 A power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with an attorney as the Directors think fit.
-
80.4 An attorney or agent appointed under this clause 80 may be authorised by the Directors to subdelegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in it.
Secretary
81. Secretary
-
81.1 There must be at least one Secretary of the Company appointed by the Directors on conditions determined by them.
-
81.2 The Secretary is entitled to attend all Directors' and general meetings.
-
81.3 The Directors may, subject to the terms of the Secretary's employment contract, suspend, remove or dismiss the Secretary.
Seals
82. Common Seal
If the Company has a Seal:
-
(a) the Directors must provide for the safe custody of the Seal;
-
(b) it must not be used except with the authority of the Directors or a Directors' committee authorised to permit use of the Seal;
-
(c) every document to which the Seal is affixed must be signed by a Director and be countersigned by another Director, the Secretary or another person appointed by the Directors to countersign the document; and
-
(d) the Directors may determine by resolution either generally or in any particular case that the signature of any Director or the Secretary to a document to which the Seal or a duplicate seal or certificate seal is affixed may be a facsimile applied to the document by specified mechanical means.
83. Duplicate Seal
If the Company has a Seal, the Company may have one or more duplicate seals of the Seal each of which:
-
(a) must be a facsimile of the Seal with the addition on its face of the words Duplicate Seal ; and
-
(b) must only be used with the authority of the Directors or a Directors' committee.
Page 35
84. Share Seal
If the Company has a Seal, the Company may have a certificate seal which:
-
(a) may be affixed to Share, option or other certificates;
-
(b) must be a facsimile of the Seal with the addition on its face of the words Share Seal ; and
-
(c) must only be used with the general or specific authority of the Directors or a Directors' committee.
Inspection of records
85. Times for inspection
-
85.1 Except as otherwise required by the Corporations Act, the Directors may determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places and under what conditions, the financial records and other documents of the Company or any of them will be open for inspection by Members other than Directors.
-
85.2 A Member other than a Director does not have the right to inspect any financial records or other documents of the Company unless the Member is authorised to do so by a court order or a resolution of the Directors.
-
85.3 Notwithstanding clauses 85.1 and 85.2 , the books of the Company containing the minutes of general meetings will be kept at the Company's registered office and will be open to inspection of Members at all times when the office is required to be open to the public.
Dividends and reserves
86. Dividends
If, in their judgement, and subject to the requirements of the Corporations Act and common law relating to the declaration of dividends, the financial position of the Company justifies it, the Directors may by resolution either:
-
(a) declare a dividend and may fix the amount, the time for and method of payment; or
-
(b) determine that a dividend is payable and fix the amount and the time for and method of payment.
87. Amend resolution to pay dividend
If the Directors determine that a dividend is payable under clause 86(b) , and if, in their judgement, and subject to the requirements of the Corporations Act and common law relating to the declaration of dividends, the financial position of the Company, either in the case of
amendment, justifies it, or in the case of revocation, no longer justifies it, and if permitted by the ASX Listing Rules, the Directors may amend or revoke the resolution to pay the dividend before the record date notified to ASX for determining entitlements to that dividend.
88. No interest
Interest is not payable by the Company on a dividend.
89. Reserves
- 89.1 The Directors may set aside out of profits such amounts by way of reserves as they think appropriate before declaring a dividend or determining to pay a dividend.
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-
89.2 The Directors may apply the reserves for any purpose for which profits may be properly applied.
-
89.3 Pending any application of the reserves, the Directors may invest or use the reserves in the business of the Company or in other investments as they think fit.
-
89.4 The Directors may carry forward any undistributed profits without transferring them to a reserve.
90. Dividend entitlement
-
90.1 Subject to the rights of persons (if any) entitled to Shares with special rights as to dividends:
-
(a) all fully-paid Shares on which any dividend is declared or paid are entitled to participate in that dividend equally; and
-
(b) each partly-paid Share is entitled to a fraction of the dividend declared or paid on a fullypaid Share of the same class, equivalent to the proportion which the amount paid (not credited) on the Share bears to the total amounts paid and payable, whether or not called, (excluding amounts credited) on the Share.
-
90.2 An amount paid on a Share in advance of a call is not to be taken as paid for the purposes of clause 90.1 .
-
90.3 Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, Shares rank for dividends from their date of allotment.
-
90.4 Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Settlement Rules and the CS Facility Rules, a transfer of Shares registered after the record date notified to ASX for determining entitlements to a dividend paid or payable in respect of the transferred Shares does not pass the right to that dividend.
91. Restricted securities
During a breach of the ASX Listing Rules relating to Shares which are Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the ASX Listing Rules in relation to the Shares, the holder of the relevant Restricted Securities is not entitled to any dividend in respect of those Restricted Securities.
92. Deductions from dividends
The Directors may deduct from a dividend payable to a Member all sums presently payable by the Member to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in relation to Shares in the Company.
93. Distribution of assets
-
93.1 The Directors may resolve that a dividend (interim or final) will be paid wholly or partly by the transfer or distribution of specific assets, including fully paid shares in, or debentures of, any other corporation. If the Directors have resolved to distribute to Members, by way of dividend, shares in another corporation:
-
(a) Members will be deemed to have agreed to become members of that corporation;
-
(b) each Member appoints the Company or any of the Directors as its agent to execute any transfer of shares or other document required to effect the distribution of those shares to the Members.
-
93.2 If a difficulty arises in making a transfer or distribution of specific assets, the Directors may:
-
(a) deal with the difficulty as they consider expedient;
-
(b) fix the value of all or any part of the specific assets for the purposes of the distribution;
-
(c) determine that cash will be paid to any Members on the basis of the fixed value in order to adjust the rights of all the Members; and
-
(d) vest any such specific assets in trustees as the Directors consider expedient.
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- 93.3 If a transfer or distribution of specific assets to a particular Member or Members is illegal or, in the Directors' opinion, impracticable, the Directors may make a cash payment to the Member or Members on the basis of the cash amount of the dividend instead of the transfer or distribution of specific assets.
94. Payment
-
94.1 Any dividend or other money payable in respect of Shares may be paid:
-
(a) by cheque sent through the mail directed to:
-
(i) the address of the Member shown in the Register or to the address of the joint holder of Shares shown first in the Register; or
-
(ii) an address which the Member has, or joint holders have, in writing notified the Company as the address to which dividends should be sent;
-
-
(b) by electronic funds transfer to an account with a bank or other financial institution nominated by the Member and acceptable to the Company; or
-
(c) by any other means determined by the Directors.
-
94.2 Any joint holder may give an effectual receipt for any dividend or other money paid in respect of Shares held by holders jointly.
95. Election to reinvest dividend
The Directors may:
-
(a) establish a plan under which Members or any class of Members may elect to reinvest cash dividends paid by the Company by subscribing for Shares; and
-
(b) vary, suspend or terminate the arrangements established under clause 95(a) .
96. Election to accept Shares in lieu of dividend
-
96.1 The Directors may resolve, in respect of any dividend which it is proposed to pay on any Shares, that holders of those Shares may elect to:
-
(a) forego their right to share in the proposed dividend or part of the proposed dividend; and
-
(b) instead receive an issue of Shares credited as fully paid.
-
96.2 If the Directors resolve to allow the election provided for in clause 96.1 , each holder of Shares conferring a right to share in the proposed dividend may, by notice in writing to the Company given in such form and within such period as the Directors may decide, elect to:
-
(a) forego the dividend that otherwise would have been paid to the holder on such of the holder's Shares conferring a right to share in the proposed dividend as the holder specifies in the notice of election; and
-
(b) instead receive Shares to be issued to the holder credited as fully paid, on and subject to such terms and conditions as the Directors may determine.
-
96.3 Following the receipt of duly completed notices of election under clause 96.1(b) , the Directors must:
-
(a) appropriate from the Company's profits or any reserve available for distribution to Members an amount equal to the aggregate issue price (if any) of the Shares to be issued credited as fully paid to those holders of Shares who have given such notices of election; and
-
(b) apply the amount (if any) in paying up in full the number of Shares required to be so issued.
-
96.4 The Directors may rescind, vary or suspend a resolution of the Directors made under clause 96.1 and the arrangements implemented under that resolution.
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- 96.5 The powers given to the Directors by this clause 96 are additional to the provisions for capitalisation of profits provided for by this Constitution. If the Directors exercise their power to capitalise profits under clause 98 then any Member who has elected to participate in arrangements established under this clause 96 is deemed, for the purpose of determining the Member's entitlement to share in the capitalised sum, not to have so elected.
97. Unclaimed dividends
All dividends unclaimed for one year after the time for payment has passed may be invested by the Directors as they think fit for the benefit of the Company until claimed or until required to be dealt with in accordance with any law relating to unclaimed money.
98. Capitalisation of profits
-
98.1 The Directors may resolve:
-
(a) to capitalise any sum being the Company's profits or any reserve available for distribution to Members; and
-
(b) that:
-
(i) no Shares be issued and no amounts unpaid on Shares be paid up on capitalisation of the sum; or
-
(ii) the sum be applied in any of the ways mentioned in clause 98.2 for the benefit of Members in the proportions in which the members would have been entitled if the sum had been distributed by way of dividend.
-
-
98.2 The ways in which a sum may be applied for the benefit of Members under clause 98.1(b)(ii) are:
-
(a) in paying up any amounts unpaid on Shares held or to be held by Members;
-
(b) in paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures to be issued to Members as fully paid; or
-
(c) partly as mentioned in clause 98.2(a) and partly as mentioned in clause 98.2(b) .
-
98.3 To the extent necessary to adjust the rights of the Members among themselves, the Directors may:
-
(a) make cash payments in cases where Shares or debentures become issuable in fractions; and
-
(b) authorise any person to make, on behalf of all the Members entitled to a benefit on the capitalisation, an agreement with the Company providing for:
-
(i) the issue to them, credited as fully paid up, of any such further Shares or debentures; or
-
(ii) the payment by the Company on their behalf of the amount or any part of the amount remaining unpaid on their existing Shares by the application of their respective proportions of the sum resolved to be capitalised,
-
and any agreement made under the authority of clause 98.3(b) is effective and binding on all the Members concerned.
Notices
99. Service of notices
-
99.1 Notice may be given by the Company to any person who is entitled to notice under this Constitution by:
-
(a) serving it on the person;
Page 39
-
(b) sending it by post, courier, facsimile transmission or electronic notification to the person at the person's address shown in the Register or the address supplied by the person to the Company for sending notices to the person; or
-
(c) (except in the case of a notice of meeting of Members which is required to be given individually to each Member entitled to vote at the meeting and to each Director), advertising in one or more national Australian newspapers as determined by the Directors.
-
99.2 A notice sent by post or courier is taken to be served:
-
(a) by properly addressing, prepaying and posting or directing the delivery of the notice; and
-
(b) on the day after the day on which it was posted or given to the courier for delivery.
-
99.3 A notice sent by facsimile transmission or electronic notification is taken to be served:
-
(a) by properly addressing the facsimile transmission or electronic notification and transmitting it; and
-
(b) on the day of its transmission except if transmitted after 5.00pm in which case is taken to be served on the next day.
-
99.4 A notice given by advertisement is taken to be served on the date on which the advertisement first appears in a newspaper.
-
99.5 A notice may be served by the Company on joint holders under clauses 99.1(a) or 99.1(b) by giving the notice to the joint holder whose name appears first in the Register.
-
99.6 Every person who is entitled to a Share by operation of law and who is not registered as the holder of the Share is taken to receive any notice served in accordance with this clause by advertisement or on that person from whom the first person derives title.
-
99.7 A Share certificate, cheque, warrant or other document may be delivered by the Company either personally or by sending it:
-
(a) in the case of a Member whose address recorded in the Register is not in Australia, by airmail post, facsimile transmission, electronic notification or in another way that ensures that it will be received quickly, as appropriate; and
-
(b) in any other case by ordinary post,
and is at the risk of the addressee as soon as it is given or posted.
-
99.8 A Member whose address recorded in the Register is not in Australia may specify in writing an address in Australia for the purposes of clause 99 .
-
99.9 A certificate in writing signed by a Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company, or by any person whom the Company has engaged to maintain the Register, that a document or its envelope or wrapper was addressed and stamped and was posted or given to a courier is conclusive evidence of posting or delivery by courier.
-
99.10 Subject to the Corporations Act the signature to a written notice given by the Company may be written or printed.
-
99.11 All notices sent by post outside Australia must be sent by prepaid airmail post.
-
99.12 A notice sent by post, courier, facsimile transmission or electronic notification to a Member's address shown in the Register or the address supplied by the Member to the Company for the purpose of sending notices to the Member is deemed to have been served notwithstanding that the Member has died, whether or not the Company has notice of his or her death.
100. Persons entitled to notice
-
100.1 Notice of every general meeting must be given to:
-
(a) every Member;
-
(b) every Director and Alternate Director;
-
(c) ASX; and
-
(d) the Auditor.
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100.2 No other person is entitled to receive notice of a general meeting.
Audit and financial records
101. Company to keep financial records
-
101.1 The Directors must cause the Company to keep written financial records and to prepare financial documents and reports in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules.
-
101.2 The Directors must cause the financial records and financial documents of the Company to be audited in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules.
Winding up
102. Winding up
-
102.1 Nothing in this clause prejudices the rights of the holders of Shares issued on special terms and conditions.
-
102.2 If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company:
-
(a) divide among the Members in kind all or any of the Company's assets; and
-
(b) for that purpose, determine how he or she will carry out the division between the different classes of Members,
-
but may not require a Member to accept any Shares or other securities in respect of which there is any liability.
-
102.3 The liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company, vest all or any of the Company's assets in a trustee on trusts determined by the liquidator for the benefit of the contributories.
Indemnity
103. Indemnity
-
103.1 To the extent permitted by law and subject to the restrictions in section 199A of the Corporations Act, the Company indemnifies every person who is or has been an officer of the Company against any liability (other than for legal costs) incurred by that person as an officer of the Company (including liabilities incurred by the officer as an officer of a subsidiary of the Company where the Company requested the officer to accept that appointment).
-
103.2 To the extent permitted by law and subject to the restrictions in section 199A of the Corporations Act, the Company indemnifies every person who is or has been an officer of the Company against reasonable legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred or allegedly incurred by that person as an officer of the Company (including such legal costs incurred by the officer as an officer of a subsidiary of the Company where the Company requested the officer to accept that appointment).
-
103.3 The amount of any indemnity payable under clauses 103.1 or 103.2 will include an additional amount (GST Amount) equal to any GST payable by the officer being indemnified (Indemnified Officer) in connection with the indemnity (less the amount of any input tax credit claimable by the Indemnified Officer in connection with the indemnity). Payment of any indemnity which includes a GST Amount is conditional upon the Indemnified Officer providing the Company with a GST tax invoice for the GST Amount.
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-
103.4 The Directors may agree to advance to an officer an amount which it might otherwise be liable to pay to the officer under clause 103.1 on such terms as the Directors think fit but that are consistent with this clause, pending the outcome of any findings of a relevant court or tribunal that would have a bearing on whether the Company is in fact liable to indemnify the officer under clause 103.1 . If after the Company makes the advance, the Directors form the view that the Company is not liable to indemnify the officer, the Company may recover any advance from the officer as a debt due by the officer to the Company.
-
103.5 For the purposes of this clause 103 , officer means:
-
(a) a Director; or
-
(b) a Secretary.
104. Shareholder disclosure
If a Member has entered into any arrangement restricting the transfer or other disposal of Shares and those arrangements are of the nature of arrangements that the Company is required to disclose under the ASX Listing Rules, then the Member must provide to the Company such information that the Company requires, and within the time that the Company requires, to comply with the Company's disclosure obligations.
Page 42
Schedule 1 Performance Shares
CLASS A PERFORMANCE SHARES
Each Class A Performance Share is issued as part consideration for the acquisition of Open Office Group and has a face value of $100.
1.
Rights attaching to Class A Performance Shares
-
1.1 ( Class A Performance Share ) Each Class A Performance Share is a share in the capital of the Company. The Class A Performance Shares are convertible, redeemable preference shares as set out in these share terms.
-
1.2 ( Face Value ) Each Class A Performance Share is issued as part consideration for the acquisition of Open Office Group and has a notional face value of $100 per Class A Performance Share ( Face Value ).
-
1.3 ( Dividends ) The Class A Performance Shares do not entitle the Holder to any dividends (cumulative or otherwise). Accordingly they have no priority of payment of dividends in relation to any other class of shares.
-
1.4 ( Voting )
(a) Pre-Blooming
Prior to Blooming the Class A Performance Shareholders will not be entitled to vote at any general meeting or class meeting of the Company except where a vote is required by law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a proposal that affects rights attached to the Class A Performance Shares).
(b) After Blooming
After Blooming the Class A Performance Shareholders will not be entitled to vote at any general meeting or class meeting of the Company except in the following circumstances:
- (i) on a proposal to reduce the share capital of the Company;
- (ii) on a resolution to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement;
- (iii) on a proposal that affects rights attached to the Class A Performance Shares;
- (iv) on a proposal to wind up the Company;
- (v) on a proposal for the disposal of the whole of the Company’s property, business and undertaking;
- (vi) during the winding up of the Company.
-
1.5 ( General meeting ) At a general meeting of the Company, Holders are entitled, when entitled to vote in respect of the matters listed in clause 1.4:
-
(a) on a show of hands, to exercise one vote; and
-
(b) on a poll, to exercise one vote for each Class A Performance Share.
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-
1.6 ( Notices, reports, accounts and meetings ) The Class A Performance Shares confer on the Holder the right to receive notices, reports and audited accounts of the Company that are circulated to holders of Ordinary Shares. Holders of Class A Performance Shares have the right to attend general meetings of shareholders.
-
1.7 ( New issues ) The Class A Performance Shares do not confer the right to participate in new issues of securities (other than pursuant to a Conversion).
-
1.8 ( Transfer ) Class A Performance Shares are not transferrable except for: (a) a transfer elected by the Company to a third party pursuant to clause 4.1 after a Trigger Event has occurred; (b) a transfer by operation of law; or (c) pursuant to the terms of an Acquisition Event.
-
1.9 ( Repayment of Capital – general ) Except pursuant to a winding up the Class A Performance Shares do not confer any right to a repayment of capital, whether in a reduction of capital or otherwise.
-
1.10 ( Repayment of capital – winding up ) If there is a repayment of capital or right to participate in surplus assets and profits on a winding-up of the Company, Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of shares and securities of the Company, in respect of each Class A Performance Share held, an amount of cash ( Liquidation Sum ) equal to:
-
(a) if before Blooming, $0.0001 per Class A Performance Share;
-
(b) if after Blooming, the Face Value per Class A Performance Share,
before any return of capital is made to holders of Ordinary Shares or any other security which is expressed to be subordinated to or to rank behind Class A Performance Shares. Class A Performance Shares have no other right to participate in surplus assets and profits.
-
1.11 ( Priority and ranking on winding up ) Class A Performance Shares will rank on a windingup of the Company:
-
(a) in priority to Ordinary Shares;
-
(b) in priority to any security which is expressed to be subordinated to or rank behind Class A Performance Shares;
-
(c) equally amongst themselves and with the Class B Performance Shares;
-
(d) behind, equally with or in priority to any other preference shares the Company may issue, as may be designated in the terms of issue for such preference shares; and
-
(e) behind, and conditional on the prior payment in full of, the claims of all creditors of the Company.
If, upon a repayment of capital on a winding-up of the Company, there are insufficient funds to pay in full the Liquidation Sum and the amounts payable in respect of any other shares or securities in the Company ranking equally with Class A Performance Shares on a winding-up of the Company, Holders and the holders of any such other shares and securities will share in any distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the amounts to which they are entitled respectively.
-
1.12 ( Trigger Event ) A Holder has no right to seek or initiate Conversion unless a Trigger Event occurs in respect of that Holder or otherwise in accordance with clause 6.
-
1.13 ( No other rights ) The Class A Performance Shares give the Holder no rights other than those expressly provided by these terms and conditions and those provided at law where such rights at law cannot be excluded by these terms and conditions.
Page 44
2. Blooming, Trigger Event and Election
The provisions in this clause 2 apply to Class A Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class A Performance Shares have Bloomed.
-
2.1 ( Investigating Accountant ) If a Holder or the Company considers (acting reasonably) that the elements of paragraph (i) of the definition of the Trigger Event (other than certification by the Investigating Account) has or is likely to have been satisfied, the Company will engage the Investigating Accountant to assess the Revenue and Recurring Revenue for the Relevant 12 Month Period and perform agreed upon procedures to confirm whether paragraph (i) of the definition of Trigger Event has occurred.
-
2.2 ( Actions on a Trigger Event ) If a Trigger Event occurs in respect of a Holder, with confirmation by the Investigating Accountant for the purpose of paragraph (i) of the definition of Trigger Event:
-
(a) the Company will notify the Holder in writing as soon as practicable upon occurrence of the Trigger Event ( Blooming Notice );
-
(b) a Holder shall have 10 Business Days after receiving the Blooming Notice to elect whether to Convert and/or Redeem some or all of their Class A Performance Shares by providing a notice in writing to the Company (in a form supplied by the Company) and which specifies the number of Class A Performance Shares to be Converted ( Conversion Election ) and/or Redeemed ( Redemption Election ). The Conversion Election and/or Redemption Election may be modified pursuant to clause 2.4.
If no Conversion Election and no Redemption Election is received by the Company from a Holder within the 10 Business Day period referred to in clause 2.2(b), the Holder will be deemed to have made a Conversion Election for the purpose of clause 2.2(b) in respect of all of that Holder’s Class A Performance Shares (which may be modified pursuant to clause 2.4).
-
2.3 ( Claims and set-off ) If on the Trigger Date, the Company has an outstanding bona fide unresolved claim against a Holder under the Share Sale Deed or a resolved claim for which an amount due from the Holder under the Share Sale Deed is outstanding (together the Claims and each a Claim ), the Company may withhold all or some of the funds in connection with a Redemption ( Redemption Amount ) pursuant to the set-off provision of the Share Sale Deed or until an outstanding claim is resolved.
-
2.4 ( Modification of Conversion Notice and Redemption Notice ) If the Redemption Amount is insufficient to satisfy the relevant Claim or Claims ( Shortfall ), the Company may (by notice to the Holder):
-
(a) amend a Conversion Notice (if applicable) to reduce the number of Class A Performance Shares to be Converted; and
-
(b) amend a Redemption Notice (if applicable) to increase the number of Class A Performance Shares to be Redeemed,
in order to provide sufficient proceeds from Redemption to satisfy any or all of the Shortfall.
3. Conversion (Blooming)
The provisions in this clause 3 apply to Class A Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class A Performance Shares have Bloomed and which are the subject of a Conversion Election from that Holder.
- 3.1 ( Conversion Date ) After a Trigger Event the Company must nominate a date when Conversion will occur, where such date must be as soon as reasonably practicable after a
Page 45
Trigger Event and in any event no more than 3 months after the Trigger Event ( Conversion Date ).
-
3.2 ( Conversion ) On the Conversion Date in respect of any Conversion pursuant to a Conversion Notice:
-
(a) each Class A Performance Share being Converted will convert into one fully paid Ordinary Share; and
-
(b) subject to clause 3.3, each Holder will be allotted an additional number of fully paid Ordinary Shares equal to the Conversion Number ( CN ) for the aggregate of their Class A Performance Shares that are being Converted, where the Conversion Number ( CN ) for their aggregate holding of Converting Class A Performance Shares means the number of Ordinary Shares calculated using the following formula (where any fraction is rounded up to the nearest whole Ordinary Share):
CN = Aggregate Face Value of Converting Shares - Number of Converting Shares Conversion Price
Where Converting Shares means the number of Class A Performance Shares of a Holder which are to be Converted as per the Conversion Election for that Holder.
3.3 (Adjustments)
-
(a) ( bonus issues ) If between the Issue Date and the Conversion Date the Company makes a bonus issue of Ordinary Shares (other than an issue in lieu or in satisfaction of dividends or by way of dividend reinvestment) the number of Ordinary Shares which must be issued on the Conversion of a Class A Performance Share will be increased by the number of Ordinary Shares which the Holder would have received under the bonus issue if the relevant Class A Performance Share had converted before the record date for the bonus issue.
-
(b) ( discounted renounceable rights issue ) If between the Issue Date and the Conversion Date the Company conducts a rights issue (as defined in the Listing Rules) in respect of its Ordinary Shares which is renounceable at a price per Ordinary Share ( Rights Issue ) which is less than 85% of the Current Market Price per Ordinary Share on the date of the first public announcement of the Rights Issue, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Price in force immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:
A + B A + C
where
-
A is the number of Ordinary Shares in issue on the Effective Date
-
B is equal to the aggregate amount raised under the Rights Issue divided by the Current Market Price per Ordinary Share
-
C is the number of Ordinary Shares issued or to be issued under the Rights Issue
Current Market Price means the average of the daily VWAP of an Ordinary Share on each of the five consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the announcement of the Rights Issue ( Pricing Period ) provided that, if a dividend is declared, determined or announced prior to or during the Pricing Period ( Dividend ), the VWAP is adjusted as follows:
- (i) Rights Issue ex-Dividend : if Ordinary Shares issued under the Rights Issue would not be entitled to receive the Dividend – the VWAP on any
Page 46
days during the Pricing Period on which Ordinary Shares were trading (i) cum-Dividend,
or (ii) after announcement of the Dividend, is reduced by the amount of the Dividend; and
- (ii) Rights Issue cum-Dividend : If Ordinary Shares issued under the Rights Issue would be entitled to receive the Dividend – the VWAP on any day during the Pricing Period on which Ordinary Shares were trading exDividend is increased by the amount of the Dividend,
in each case, calculated on a gross basis disregarding any withholding tax or other deduction required to be made for tax purposes, and disregarding any franking credits or other tax credit.
Effective Date means the date of announcement of the Rights Issue .
Trading Day has the meaning given in the Listing Rules.
-
(c) ( reorganisation ) If at any time between the Issue Date and Conversion Date the issued capital of the Company is reorganised (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes a consolidation of capital, sub-division of capital, return of capital or pro rata cancellation of capital), the Class A Performance Shares are to be treated in the manner set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.21 (or other applicable ASX Listing Rule), being that the number of Class A Performance Shares or the conversion price or both will be reorganised so that the Holder of the Class A Performance Shares will not receive a benefit that holders of Ordinary Shares do not receive and so that the holders of Ordinary Shares will not receive a benefit that the Holder of the Class A Performance Shares does not receive.
-
3.4 ( Manner of Conversion ) Each Class A Performance Share, on any Conversion, confers all of the rights attaching to one fully paid Ordinary Share but these rights do not take effect until 5:00pm on the Conversion Date. At that time:
-
(a) all other rights conferred on or restrictions imposed by, those Class A Performance Shares under these share terms will no longer have any effect (except for any rights to any allotment of additional Ordinary Shares issued upon Conversion under clause 3.2(b), which will subsist); and
-
(b) each Class A Performance Share on Conversion will rank equally with all other Ordinary Shares then on issue and the Company will issue a statement that the holder of those shares holds a share so ranking.
The variation of the status of, and the rights attaching to, a Class A Performance Share under this clause 3.4 and any allotment of additional Ordinary Shares under clause 3.2(b) is, for the purposes of these share terms, together termed ' Conversion '. Conversion does not constitute redemption, cancellation or buy-back of a Class A Performance Share or an issue, allotment or creation of a new share (other than any additional Ordinary Shares allotted under clause 3.2(b)).
-
3.5 ( Contravention of 606(1) ) If Conversion of all or part of the Class A Performance Shares would result in any person being in contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act then the Conversion of each Class A Performance Share that would cause the contravention will be deferred until such time or times that the Conversion would not at a later date result in a contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act. The Holder must give prior notification to the Company in writing if it considers that the Conversion of all or part of its Class A Performance Shares may result in the contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act, failing which the Company will be entitled to assume that the Conversion of the Class A Performance Shares under these terms and conditions will not result in any person being in contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act.
-
3.6 ( FATA ) If Conversion of all or part of the Class A Performance Shares of a Holder would require approval under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 ( FATA ) then
Page 47
that Holder of those shares must obtain approval under FATA in respect of such Conversion prior to issuing a Conversion Notice (including any deemed Conversion Election pursuant to clause 2.2).
-
3.7 ( Quotation ) The Class A Performance Shares will not be quoted on any securities exchange and the Company will not make an application for quotation in respect of them. However, if the Company is listed on the ASX at the relevant time, upon Conversion of any Class A Performance Shares, the Company must use reasonable endeavours within two Business Days (or such longer period required by ASX) after the Conversion apply for quotation of the Converted shares and allotted Ordinary Shares on the ASX, subject always to the requirements of the ASX Listing Rules, including those relating to escrow.
-
3.8 ( Transfer to third party ) Any Class A Performance Share transferred to a third party pursuant to clause 4.1 shall not have any entitlement to Conversion following such transfer.
4. Redemption (Blooming)
The provisions in this clause 4 apply to Class A Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class A Performance Shares have Bloomed and which are the subject of a Redemption Election from that Holder.
-
4.1 ( Redemption ) In respect of the number of Class A Performance Shares which are subject to a Redemption Election the Company must as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than three months after the Trigger Event ( Redemption Date ) (at the Company’s election) redeem, buy-back, cancel pursuant to a reduction of capital or procure a third party to acquire (or any combination of these) each such Class A Performance Share for an amount of cash equal to the Face Value ( Redemption ).
-
4.2 ( No rights or restrictions ) Upon payment of the Face Value per Class A Performance Share to the Holder all other rights conferred on, or restrictions imposed by, those Class A Performance Shares held by the Holder under these terms will no longer have effect.
-
4.3 ( Facilitation of Redemption ) If the Redemption involves:
-
(a) a buy-back of Class A Performance Shares:
-
(i) each Class A Performance Shareholder is taken to accept the buy-back offer for their Class A Performance Shares and will sell those Class A Performance Shares to the Company on the Redemption Date; and
-
(ii) if under applicable law or these terms Class A Performance Shareholders are entitled to vote on a resolution to approve that buy-back, each Holder is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of that resolution;
-
-
(b) a reduction of capital with respect to Class A Performance Shares, and under applicable law or these terms, Holders are entitled to vote on a resolution to approve that reduction of capital and each Holder is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of that resolution; and
-
(c) a transfer to a third party, each Holder acknowledges that the attorney under clause 7.3 may execute any documents in connection with such transfer.
5. Redemption (Withering)
If the Trigger Event does not occur in respect of a Holder by the Sunset Date the Class A Performance Shares of that Holder:
-
(a) will not Bloom (and any rights to Bloom will lapse); and
-
(b) will, at the Company’s election, be Redeemed and cancelled for nil
Page 48
consideration,
(together Withering ).
The Holder will be taken to have agreed to the Redemption and appoints the Company as its attorney pursuant to clause 7.3 and is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of the Redemption (if required by law and eligible to vote).
6. Acquisition Event
-
6.1 ( Conversion ) If an Acquisition Event occurs before the earlier of (1) Blooming; and (2) the Sunset Date, then the Company must Convert all (but not some) of the Class A Performance Shares of each Holder provided (if applicable to that Holder) the Holder satisfies paragraph (ii) of the definition of Trigger Event as at the date of the Acquisition Event.
-
6.2 ( Withering ) If an Acquisition Event occurs and clause 6.1 does not apply to require Conversion in relation to a Holder, all Class A Performance Shares held by that Holder will be taken to have Withered pursuant to clause 5.
-
6.3 ( Acquisition Event by Holder or associate ) If the bidder in a takeover or scheme of arrangement is a Holder or an associate (as defined in the Corporations Act for the purpose of Chapter 6) of a Holder, that takeover or scheme will not constitute an Acquisition Event for the purpose of these terms.
7. General
7.1 Compliance with Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules and amendment
-
(a) Despite anything else contained in these terms and conditions, if the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules prohibits an act being done, that act must not be done.
-
(b) Nothing contained in these terms and conditions prevents an act being done that the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules require to be done.
-
(c) If the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules conflict with these terms and conditions, or these terms and conditions do not comply with the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules, the Holder authorises the Company to do anything necessary to rectify such conflict or non-compliance, including but not limited to unilaterally amending these terms and conditions.
-
(d) The terms of the Class A Performance Shares may be amended as necessary by the directors of the Company without consent of the Holders in order to comply with the ASX Listing Rules, or any directions of ASX regarding the terms, without consent of the Holders.
-
(e) The terms of the Class A Performance Shares may be amended as necessary by written agreement between the Company and Holders holding at least 50% of Class A Performance Shares on issue, and such amendment will be binding on all Class A Performance Shares and all Holders of Class A Performance Shares.
-
7.2 If there is a change in law or ASX Listing Rules that causes the application of clause 7.1(a), 7.1(b), 7.1(c) or clause 7.1(d) to be materially prejudicial to Holders’ rights to Convert or Redeem, the Company and Holders must engage in good faith discussions on a make whole payment if the Trigger Event occurs in respect of a Holder. The make whole payment for each Class A Performance Share should adjust for any portion of the Face Value which the Holder cannot realise in connection with Conversion or Redemption as a result of the change in law or ASX Listing Rule. Any resulting change to the Class A Performance Share terms can be made pursuant to clause 7.1(e).
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7.3 Power of attorney
Each Holder irrevocably appoints each of the Company, its officers and any liquidator or administrator of the Company (each an Attorney ) severally to be the attorney of the Holder with power in the name and on behalf of the Holder to sign all documents and transfers and do any other thing as may in the Attorney’s opinion be necessary or desirable to be done in order for the Holder to observe or perform the Holder’s obligations under these share terms in connection with a Redemption, Conversion, Withering or clauses 7.1(c), 7.1(d) or clause 7.4, including, but not limited to:
-
(a) accepting any buy-back offer;
-
(b) exercising voting power in relation to any consent or approval required for Redemption or Conversion;
-
(c) signing any transfer instrument or other agreement or document required to effect a Redemption; or
-
(d) as otherwise contemplated under these share terms including executing any escrow documentation contemplated by clause 7.4.
The power of attorney given in this clause 7.3 is given for valuable consideration and to secure the performance by the Holder of its obligations under these share terms and is irrevocable. For the avoidance of doubt, the power of attorney given in this clause 7.3 shall not entitle the Attorney to make a Conversion Election or Redemption Election for a Holder.
7.4 Voluntary escrow
The Holders acknowledge that some of the Class A Performance Shares which Convert (including allotment of additional Ordinary Shares) may be subject to voluntary escrow arrangements as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed and authorise the Company to execute escrow documentation under the power of attorney in clause 7.3 as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed for this purpose.
8. Definitions and interpretation
8.1 Definitions
-
(a) Acquisition Event means (subject clause 6.7):
-
(i) a takeover bid is made to acquire all or some Ordinary Shares and the offer is, or becomes, unconditional and the bidder has a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares on issue;
-
(ii) a court orders one or more meetings to be convened to approve a scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act which would result in a person having a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares that will be on issue after the scheme is implemented and the relevant classes of members pass a resolution approving the scheme; or
-
(iii) in connection with a takeover bid or scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act, an earlier point in time that would apply under paragraph (i) and (ii) above, as determined by the board of directors of the Company (acting reasonably):
- (A) to the extent that the earlier date is reasonably necessary to permit the Holder to participate in the takeover bid or scheme of arrangement; and
Page 50
-
(B) where the Company’s board is reasonably satisfied that a transaction is likely to proceed and if it proceeds it will result in the bidder having a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares of the Company.
-
(b) AIFRS means Australian equivalents to the International Financial Reporting Standards.
-
(c) Associate means in respect of a Holder that is a body corporate a director or officer of that Holder or that is otherwise an associate as defined in section 12 of the Corporations Act.
-
(d) ASX means ASX Limited (ABN 98 008 624 691).
-
(e) ASX Listing Rules means the listing rules of ASX from time to time with any modifications or waivers in their application to the Company, which ASX may grant and Listing Rules has the same meaning.
-
(f) Blooming means the occurrence of a Trigger Event in respect of a Holder and Bloomed has a corresponding meaning.
-
(g) Business Day means a business day as defined in the ASX Listing Rules.
-
(h) Claim has the meaning given in clause 2.3.
-
(i) Company means ReadyTech Holdings Limited ACN 632 137 216.
-
(j) Company Group means the Company and each of its subsidiaries (as defined in the Corporations Act).
-
(k) Conversion has the meaning given in clause 3.4 and Convert, Converting and Converted have a corresponding meaning.
-
(l) Conversion Notice means the notice pursuant to which a Conversion Election is made in accordance with clause 2.2(b).
-
(m) Conversion Price means $2.00.
-
(n) Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) .
-
(o) Face Value has the meaning given in clause 1.2.
-
(p) Government Licensing Revenue means aggregate recurring revenue (if any and calculated on the same basis as ‘Recurring Revenue’) of the Open Office Group from the ‘Government Licensing Project’ as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed in excess of $1,000,000 in any 12 month period (in respect of which it is noted there is a separate cash deferred consideration arrangement in the Share Sale Deed) .
-
(q) Holder means the registered holder of the Class A Performance Share.
-
(r) Issue Date means the date of issue of a Class A Performance Share.
-
(s) Investigating Accountant means KPMG or, if KPMG is unable to act, a reputable accountant appointed by the independent directors of the Company (by simple majority approval).
-
(t) Open Office Group means Pentagon Holdco Pty Ltd ACN 626 389 428 and each of its subsidiaries (as defined in the Corporations Act).
-
(u) Ordinary Share means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company.
-
(v) Redemption has the meaning given in clause 4.1 and Redeem has the corresponding meaning.
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-
(w) Redemption Notice means the notice pursuant to which a Redemption Election is made in accordance with clause 2.2(b).
-
(x) Recurring Revenue means Revenue of the Open Office Group excluding Revenue in connection with implementation, development, consulting, training, perpetual licences, hardware sales, sale of assets, accounting revaluations (or other entries which will not result in cash receipts), research and development tax incentive, government grants, allowances, rebates or other handouts, or intra-group revenue charges made for the purpose of transfer pricing and/or cost reallocation (and also excluding, for avoidance of doubt, Government Licensing Revenue).
-
(y) Retention Criteria has the meaning given in paragraph (ii) of the definition of Trigger Event.
-
(z) Revenue means revenue of the Open Office Group as calculated based on AIFRS as it applies to the Company but excluding any Government Licensing Revenue. If any component of Revenue for a period of 12 calendar months includes anything in connection with a research and development tax incentive, the amount of incentive will be capped at $100,000 for the purpose of calculating Revenue.
-
(aa) Share Sale Deed means the share sale deed between the Company, ReadyTech Pty Ltd, the Holders and others dated [ insert ] relating to the acquisition of the Open Office Group.
-
(bb) Sunset Date means the date which falls 4 years and six months after the Issue Date.
-
(cc) Trigger Date means the date on which a Trigger Event occurs.
-
(dd) Trigger Event means when each of the following is satisfied:
-
(i) ( revenue ) achievement of the following before the Sunset Date, as confirmed by the Investigating Accountant:
-
(A) the aggregate Revenue of the Open Office Group for a consecutive 12 calendar month period ( Relevant 12 Month Period ) equals or exceeds $18,259,000; and
-
(B) the Recurring Revenue of the Open Office Group for the same Relevant 12 Month Period equals or exceeds $11,347,000; and
-
-
(ii) ( retention ) to the extent applicable to the relevant Holder, if on the Issue Date a Holder had an Associate who occupied the role of Chief Executive, Government & Justice or General Manager, Justice Systems on the Issue Date, that Associate continues to be an employee of the Company Group at the end of the Relevant 12 Month Period and has not issued a resignation notice except pursuant to a ‘Permitted Resignation’ event as set out in that Associate’s employment contract or received a termination notice pursuant to that Associate’s employment contract with the Company Group ( Retention Criteria ).
-
(ee) VWAP means the volume weighted average market price as defined in the ASX Listing Rules calculated for the relevant period in respect of Ordinary Shares.
-
(ff) Withering has the meaning given in clause 5 (and Wither or Withered has a corresponding meaning).
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8.2 Interpretation
The following rules of interpretation apply in these share terms unless the contrary intention appears or the context otherwise requires.
-
(a) Unless the context otherwise requires including in clause 7.1, if there is any inconsistency between the provisions of these share terms and the Company’s constitution then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the provisions of these share terms will prevail.
-
(b) Unless otherwise specified, the Company directors may exercise all powers of the Company under these share terms as are not, by the Corporations Act or by the Company’s constitution, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting.
-
(c) Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a clause is a reference to a clause of these share terms.
-
(d) If a payment is required to be made under these share terms, unless the contrary intention is expressed, the payment will be made in Australian dollars only.
-
(e) The terms takeover bid, scheme of arrangement, reduction of capital and buyback when used in these share terms have the meaning given in the Corporations Act.
-
(f) The term bonus issue has the meaning given in the ASX Listing Rules.
-
(g) For the purpose of determining whether paragraph (ii) of the definition of Trigger Event is satisfied in respect of a Holder it shall be tested in respect of that particular Holder only.
-
(h) Headings and boldings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these share terms.
-
(i) The singular includes the plural and vice versa.
-
(j) A reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them.
-
(k) If an event under these share terms must occur on a stipulated day which is not a Business Day, then the event will be done on the next Business Day.
-
(l) A reference to $, dollars or cents is a reference to the lawful currency of Australia.
-
(m) A reference to time in these share terms is a reference to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia time.
-
(n) Calculations, elections and determinations made by the Company under these share terms are binding on Holders in the absence of manifest error.
-
(o) If any provision of these share terms is prohibited or unenforceable in its terms but would not be prohibited or unenforceable if it were read down, and is capable of being read down, that provision must be read down accordingly. If, despite this clause, a provision is still prohibited or unenforceable, if the provision would not be prohibited or unenforceable if a word or words were omitted, the relevant words must be severed and, in any other case, the whole provision must be severed. However, the remaining provisions of the share terms are of full force and effect.
Page 53
CLASS B PERFORMANCE SHARES
Each Class B Performance Share is issued as part consideration for the acquisition of Open Office Group and has a face value of $100.
1. Rights attaching to Class B Performance Shares
-
1.1 ( Class B Performance Share ) Each Class B Performance Share is a share in the capital of the Company. The Class B Performance Shares are convertible, redeemable preference shares as set out in these share terms.
-
1.2 ( Face Value ) Each Class B Performance Share is issued as part consideration for the acquisition of Open Office Group and has a notional face value of $100 per Class B Performance Share ( Face Value ).
-
1.3 ( Dividends ) The Class B Performance Shares do not entitle the Holder to any dividends (cumulative or otherwise). Accordingly they have no priority of payment of dividends in relation to any other class of shares.
1.4 ( Voting )
(a) Pre-Blooming
- Prior to Blooming the Class B Performance Shareholders will not be entitled to vote at any general meeting or class meeting of the Company except where a vote is required by law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a proposal that affects rights attached to the Class B Performance Shares).
(b) After Blooming
After Blooming the Class B Performance Shareholders will not be entitled to vote at any general meeting or class meeting of the Company except in the following circumstances:
- (i) on a proposal to reduce the share capital of the Company;
- (ii) on a resolution to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement;
- (iii) on a proposal that affects rights attached to the Class B Performance Shares;
- (iv) on a proposal to wind up the Company;
- (v) on a proposal for the disposal of the whole of the Company’s property, business and undertaking;
- (vi) during the winding up of the Company.
-
1.5 ( General meeting ) At a general meeting of the Company, Holders are entitled, when entitled to vote in respect of the matters listed in clause 1.4:
-
(a) on a show of hands, to exercise one vote; and
-
(b) on a poll, to exercise one vote for each Class B Performance Share.
-
1.6 ( Notices, reports, accounts and meetings ) The Class B Performance Shares confer on the Holder the right to receive notices, reports and audited accounts of the Company that are circulated to holders of Ordinary Shares. Holders of Class B Performance Shares have the right to attend general meetings of shareholders.
-
1.7 ( New issues ) The Class B Performance Shares do not confer the right to participate in new issues of securities (other than pursuant to a Conversion).
Page 54
-
1.8 ( Transfer ) Class B Performance Shares are not transferrable except for: (a) a transfer elected by the Company to a third party pursuant to clause 4.1 after a Trigger Event has occurred; (b) a transfer by operation of law; or (c) pursuant to the terms of an Acquisition Event.
-
1.9 ( Repayment of Capital – general ) Except pursuant to a winding up the Class B Performance Shares do not confer any right to a repayment of capital, whether in a reduction of capital or otherwise.
-
1.10 ( Repayment of capital – winding up ) If there is a repayment of capital or right to participate in surplus assets and profits on a winding-up of the Company, Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of shares and securities of the Company, in respect of each Class B Performance Share held, an amount of cash ( Liquidation Sum ) equal to:
-
(a) if before Blooming, $0.0001 per Class B Performance Share;
-
(b) if after Blooming, the Face Value per Class B Performance Share,
before any return of capital is made to holders of Ordinary Shares or any other security which is expressed to be subordinated to or to rank behind Class B Performance Shares. Class B Performance Shares have no other right to participate in surplus assets and profits.
-
1.11 ( Priority and ranking on winding up ) Class B Performance Shares will rank on a winding- up of the Company:
-
(a) in priority to Ordinary Shares;
-
(b) in priority to any security which is expressed to be subordinated to or rank behind Class B Performance Shares;
-
(c) equally amongst themselves and with the Class A Performance Shares;
-
(d) behind, equally with or in priority to any other preference shares the Company may issue, as may be designated in the terms of issue for such preference shares; and
-
(e) behind, and conditional on the prior payment in full of, the claims of all creditors of the Company.
If, upon a repayment of capital on a winding-up of the Company, there are insufficient funds to pay in full the Liquidation Sum and the amounts payable in respect of any other shares or securities in the Company ranking equally with Class B Performance Shares on a winding-up of the Company, Holders and the holders of any such other shares and securities will share in any distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the amounts to which they are entitled respectively.
-
1.12 ( Trigger Event ) A Holder has no right to seek or initiate Conversion unless a Trigger Event occurs in respect of that Holder or otherwise in accordance with clause 6.
-
1.13 ( No other rights ) The Class B Performance Shares give the Holder no rights other than those expressly provided by these terms and conditions and those provided at law where such rights at law cannot be excluded by these terms and conditions.
2. Blooming, Trigger Event and Election
The provisions in this clause 2 apply to Class B Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class B Performance Shares have Bloomed.
- 2.1 ( Investigating Accountant ) If a Holder or the Company considers (acting reasonably) that the elements of paragraph (i) of the definition of the Trigger Event (other than certification by the Investigating Account) has or is likely to have been satisfied, the Company will engage the Investigating Accountant to assess the Revenue and Recurring Revenue for the Relevant 12
Page 55
Month Period and perform agreed upon procedures to confirm whether paragraph (i) of the definition of Trigger Event has occurred.
-
2.2 ( Actions on a Trigger Event ) If a Trigger Event occurs in respect of a Holder, with confirmation by the Investigating Accountant for the purpose of paragraph (i) of the definition of Trigger Event:
-
(a) the Company will notify the Holder in writing as soon as practicable upon occurrence of the Trigger Event ( Blooming Notice );
-
(b) a Holder shall have 10 Business Days after receiving the Blooming Notice to elect whether to Convert and/or Redeem some or all of their Class B Performance Shares by providing a notice in writing to the Company (in a form supplied by the Company) and which specifies the number of Class B Performance Shares to be Converted ( Conversion Election ) and/or Redeemed ( Redemption Election ). The Conversion Election and/or Redemption Election may be modified pursuant to clause 2.4.
If no Conversion Election and no Redemption Election is received by the Company from a Holder within the 10 Business Day period referred to in clause 2.2(b), the Holder will be deemed to have made a Conversion Election for the purpose of clause 2.2(b) in respect of all of that Holder’s Class B Performance Shares (which may be modified pursuant to clause 2.4).
-
2.3 ( Claims and set-off ) If on the Trigger Date, the Company has an outstanding bona fide unresolved claim against a Holder under the Share Sale Deed or a resolved claim for which an amount due from the Holder under the Share Sale Deed is outstanding (together the Claims and each a Claim ), the Company may withhold all or some of the funds in connection with a Redemption ( Redemption Amount ) pursuant to the set-off provision of the Share Sale Deed or until an outstanding claim is resolved.
-
2.4 ( Modification of Conversion Notice and Redemption Notice ) If the Redemption Amount is insufficient to satisfy the relevant Claim or Claims ( Shortfall ), the Company may (by notice to the Holder):
-
(a) amend a Conversion Notice (if applicable) to reduce the number of Class B Performance Shares to be Converted; and
-
(b) amend a Redemption Notice (if applicable) to increase the number of Class B Performance Shares to be Redeemed,
in order to provide sufficient proceeds from Redemption to satisfy any or all of the Shortfall.
3.
Conversion (Blooming)
The provisions in this clause 3 apply to Class B Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class B Performance Shares have Bloomed and which are the subject of a Conversion Election from that Holder.
-
3.1 ( Conversion Date ) After a Trigger Event the Company must nominate a date when Conversion will occur, where such date must be as soon as reasonably practicable after a Trigger Event and in any event no more than 3 months after the Trigger Event ( Conversion Date ).
-
3.2 ( Conversion ) On the Conversion Date in respect of any Conversion pursuant to a Conversion Notice:
-
(a) each Class B Performance Share being Converted will convert into one fully paid Ordinary Share; and
-
(b) subject to clause 3.3, each Holder will be allotted an additional number of fully paid Ordinary Shares equal to the Conversion Number ( CN ) for the aggregate of their Class B Performance Shares that are being Converted, where the Conversion Number ( CN ) for their aggregate holding of Converting Class B Performance Shares means the number of Ordinary Shares calculated using the following formula (where any fraction is rounded up to the nearest whole Ordinary Share):
Page 56
CN = Aggregate Face Value of Converting Shares - Number of Converting Shares Conversion Price
Where Converting Shares means the number of Class B Performance Shares of a Holder which are to be Converted as per the Conversion Election for that Holder.
-
3.3 (Adjustments)
-
(a) ( bonus issues ) If between the Issue Date and the Conversion Date the Company makes a bonus issue of Ordinary Shares (other than an issue in lieu or in satisfaction of dividends or by way of dividend reinvestment) the number of Ordinary Shares which must be issued on the Conversion of a Class B Performance Share will be increased by the number of Ordinary Shares which the Holder would have received under the bonus issue if the relevant Class B Performance Share had converted before the record date for the bonus issue.
-
(b) ( reorganisation ) If at any time between the Issue Date and Conversion Date the issued capital of the Company is reorganised (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes a consolidation of capital, sub-division of capital, return of capital or pro rata cancellation of capital), the Class B Performance Shares are to be treated in the manner set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.21 (or other applicable ASX Listing Rule), being that the number of Class B Performance Shares or the conversion price or both will be reorganised so that the Holder of the Class B Performance Shares will not receive a benefit that holders of Ordinary Shares do not receive and so that the holders of Ordinary Shares will not receive a benefit that the Holder of the Class B Performance Shares does not receive.
-
3.4 ( Manner of Conversion ) Each Class B Performance Share, on any Conversion, confers all of the rights attaching to one fully paid Ordinary Share but these rights do not take effect until 5:00pm on the Conversion Date. At that time:
-
(a) all other rights conferred on or restrictions imposed by, those Class B Performance Shares under these share terms will no longer have any effect (except for any rights to any allotment of additional Ordinary Shares issued upon Conversion under clause 3.2(b), which will subsist); and
-
(b) each Class B Performance Share on Conversion will rank equally with all other Ordinary Shares then on issue and the Company will issue a statement that the holder of those shares holds a share so ranking.
The variation of the status of, and the rights attaching to, a Class B Performance Share under this clause 3.4 and any allotment of additional Ordinary Shares under clause 3.2(b) is, for the purposes of these share terms, together termed ' Conversion '. Conversion does not constitute redemption, cancellation or buy-back of a Class B Performance Share or an issue, allotment or creation of a new share (other than any additional Ordinary Shares allotted under clause 3.2(b)).
-
3.5 ( Contravention of 606(1) ) If Conversion of all or part of the Class B Performance Shares would result in any person being in contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act then the Conversion of each Class B Performance Share that would cause the contravention will be deferred until such time or times that the Conversion would not at a later date result in a contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act. The Holder must give prior notification to the Company in writing if it considers that the Conversion of all or part of its Class B Performance Shares may result in the contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act, failing which the Company will be entitled to assume that the Conversion of the Class B Performance Shares under these terms and conditions will not result in any person being in contravention of section 606(1) of the Corporations Act.
-
3.6 ( FATA ) If Conversion of all or part of the Class B Performance Shares of a Holder would require approval under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 ( FATA ) then that Holder of those shares must obtain approval under FATA in respect of such Conversion prior to issuing a Conversion Notice (including any deemed Conversion Election pursuant to clause 2.2).
-
3.7 ( Quotation ) The Class B Performance Shares will not be quoted on any securities exchange and the Company will not make an application for quotation in respect of them. However, if the
Page 57
Company is listed on the ASX at the relevant time, upon Conversion of any Class B Performance Shares, the Company must use reasonable endeavours within two Business Days (or such longer period required by ASX) after the Conversion apply for quotation of the Converted shares and allotted Ordinary Shares on the ASX, subject always to the requirements of the ASX Listing Rules, including those relating to escrow.
- 3.8 ( Transfer to third party ) Any Class B Performance Share transferred to a third party pursuant to clause 4.1 shall not have any entitlement to Conversion following such transfer.
4. Redemption (Blooming)
The provisions in this clause 4 apply to Class B Performance Shares held by a Holder where those Class B Performance Shares have Bloomed and which are the subject of a Redemption Election from that Holder.
-
4.1 ( Redemption ) In respect of the number of Class B Performance Shares which are subject to a Redemption Election the Company must as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than three months after the Trigger Event ( Redemption Date ) (at the Company’s election) redeem, buyback, cancel pursuant to a reduction of capital or procure a third party to acquire (or any combination of these) each such Class B Performance Share for an amount of cash equal to the Face Value ( Redemption ).
-
4.2 ( No rights or restrictions ) Upon payment of the Face Value per Class B Performance Share to the Holder all other rights conferred on, or restrictions imposed by, those Class B Performance Shares held by the Holder under these terms will no longer have effect.
-
4.3 ( Facilitation of Redemption ) If the Redemption involves:
-
(a) a buy-back of Class B Performance Shares:
-
(i) each Class B Performance Shareholder is taken to accept the buy-back offer for their Class B Performance Shares and will sell those Class B Performance Shares to the Company on the Redemption Date; and
-
(ii) if under applicable law or these terms Class B Performance Shareholders are entitled to vote on a resolution to approve that buy-back, each Holder is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of that resolution;
-
-
(b) a reduction of capital with respect to Class B Performance Shares, and under applicable law or these terms, Holders are entitled to vote on a resolution to approve that reduction of capital and each Holder is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of that resolution; and
-
(c) a transfer to a third party, each Holder acknowledges that the attorney under clause 7.3 may execute any documents in connection with such transfer.
5. Redemption (Withering)
If the Trigger Event does not occur in respect of a Holder by the Sunset Date the Class B Performance Shares of that Holder:
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(a) will not Bloom (and any rights to Bloom will lapse); and
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(b) will, at the Company’s election, be Redeemed and cancelled for nil consideration,
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(together Withering ).
The Holder will be taken to have agreed to the Redemption and appoints the Company as its attorney pursuant to clause 7.3 and is taken to direct its attorney under clause 7.3 to vote in favour of the Redemption (if required by law and eligible to vote).
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6. Acquisition Event
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6.1 ( Conversion if within first two years ) If an Acquisition Event occurs within the first two years after the Issue Date but before Blooming, then the Company must Convert all (but not some) of the Class B Performance Shares of each Holder provided (if applicable to that Holder) the Holder satisfies the Retention Criteria as at the date of the Acquisition Event.
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6.2 ( Conversion after first two years ) If an Acquisition Event occurs after the first two years following the Issue Date but before both (1) Blooming; and (2) the Sunset Date, the Company must Convert all (but not some) of the Class B Performance Shares of each Holder provided each of the following is satisfied:
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(a) Recurring Revenue for the Open Office Group for the 12 calendar month period immediately prior to announcement of the Acquisition Event ( Test Period ) as confirmed by the Investigating Accountant is equal to or above 95% of the Recurring Revenue confirmed by the Investigating Accountant for the 12 calendar month period prior to the Issue Date ( Reference Period );
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(b) Revenue for the Open Office Group for the Test Period as confirmed by the Investigating Accountant is equal to or above 70% of the Revenue confirmed by the Investigating Accountant for the Reference Period; and
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(c) (if applicable to that Holder) the Holder satisfies the Retention Criteria as at the date of the Acquisition Event.
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6.3 ( Withering ) If an Acquisition Event occurs and neither clause 6.1 nor 6.2 apply to require Conversion in relation to a Holder, all Class B Performance Shares held by that Holder will be taken to have Withered pursuant to clause 5.
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6.4 ( Conversion Price ) For the purpose of a Conversion required by this clause 6, the Conversion Price for the Class B Performance Shares will be the higher of (1) the VWAP for the six month period ending on the trading day before the Acquisition Event was announced; and (2) $2.00.
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6.5 ( Acquisition Event by Holder or associate ) If the bidder in a takeover or scheme of arrangement is a Holder or an associate (as defined in the Corporations Act for the purpose of Chapter 6) of a Holder, that takeover or scheme will not constitute an Acquisition Event for the purpose of these terms.
7. General
7.1 Compliance with Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules and amendment
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(a) Despite anything else contained in these terms and conditions, if the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules prohibits an act being done, that act must not be done.
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(b) Nothing contained in these terms and conditions prevents an act being done that the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules require to be done.
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(c) If the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules conflict with these terms and conditions, or these terms and conditions do not comply with the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules, the Holder authorises the Company to do anything necessary to rectify such conflict or non-compliance, including but not limited to unilaterally amending these terms and conditions.
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(d) The terms of the Class B Performance Shares may be amended as necessary by the directors of the Company without consent of the Holders in order to comply with the ASX Listing Rules, or any directions of ASX regarding the terms, without consent of the Holders.
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(e) The terms of the Class B Performance Shares may be amended as necessary by written agreement between the Company and Holders holding at least 50% of Class B Performance Shares on issue, and such amendment will be binding on all Class B
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Performance Shares and all Holders of Class B Performance Shares.
- 7.2 If there is a change in law or ASX Listing Rules that causes the application of clause 7.1(a), 7.1(b), 7.1(c) or clause 7.1(d) to be materially prejudicial to Holders’ rights to Convert or Redeem, the Company and Holders must engage in good faith discussions on a make whole payment if the Trigger Event occurs in respect of a Holder. The make whole payment for each Class B Performance Share should adjust for any portion of the Face Value which the Holder cannot realise in connection with Conversion or Redemption as a result of the change in law or ASX Listing Rule. Any resulting change to the Class B Performance Share terms can be made pursuant to clause 7.1(e).
7.3 Power of attorney
Each Holder irrevocably appoints each of the Company, its officers and any liquidator or administrator of the Company (each an Attorney ) severally to be the attorney of the Holder with power in the name and on behalf of the Holder to sign all documents and transfers and do any other thing as may in the Attorney’s opinion be necessary or desirable to be done in order for the Holder to observe or perform the Holder’s obligations under these share terms in connection with a Redemption, Conversion, Withering or clauses 7.1(c), 7.1(d) or clause 7.4, including, but not limited to:
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(a) accepting any buy-back offer;
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(b) exercising voting power in relation to any consent or approval required for Redemption or Conversion;
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(c) signing any transfer instrument or other agreement or document required to effect a Redemption; or
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(d) as otherwise contemplated under these share terms including executing any escrow documentation contemplated by clause 7.4.
The power of attorney given in this clause 7.3 is given for valuable consideration and to secure the performance by the Holder of its obligations under these share terms and is irrevocable. For the avoidance of doubt, the power of attorney given in this clause 7.3 shall not entitle the Attorney to make a Conversion Election or Redemption Election for a Holder.
7.4
Voluntary escrow
The Holders acknowledge that some of the Class B Performance Shares which Convert (including allotment of additional Ordinary Shares) may be subject to voluntary escrow arrangements as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed and authorise the Company to execute escrow documentation under the power of attorney in clause 7.3 as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed for this purpose.
8. Definitions and interpretation
8.1 Definitions
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(a) Acquisition Event means (subject clause 6.7):
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(i) a takeover bid is made to acquire all or some Ordinary Shares and the offer is, or becomes, unconditional and the bidder has a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares on issue;
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(ii) a court orders one or more meetings to be convened to approve a scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act which would result in a person having a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares that will be on issue after the scheme is implemented and the relevant classes of members pass a resolution approving the scheme; or
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-
(iii) in connection with a takeover bid or scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act, an earlier point in time that would apply under paragraph (i) and (ii) above, as determined by the board of directors of the Company (acting reasonably):
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(A) to the extent that the earlier date is reasonably necessary to permit the Holder to participate in the takeover bid or scheme of arrangement; and
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(B) where the Company’s board is reasonably satisfied that a transaction is likely to proceed and if it proceeds it will result in the bidder having a relevant interest in more than 50% of the Ordinary Shares of the Company.
-
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(b) AIFRS means Australian equivalents to the International Financial Reporting Standards.
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(c) Associate means in respect of a Holder that is a body corporate a director or officer of that Holder or that is otherwise an associate as defined in section 12 of the Corporations Act.
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(d) ASX means ASX Limited (ABN 98 008 624 691).
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(e) ASX Listing Rules means the listing rules of ASX from time to time with any modifications or waivers in their application to the Company, which ASX may grant and Listing Rules has the same meaning.
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(f) Blooming means the occurrence of a Trigger Event in respect of a Holder and Bloomed has a corresponding meaning.
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(g) Business Day means a business day as defined in the ASX Listing Rules.
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(h) Claim has the meaning given in clause 2.3. (i) Company means ReadyTech Holdings Limited ACN 632 137 216.
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(j) Company Group means the Company and each of its subsidiaries (as defined in the Corporations Act).
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(k) Conversion has the meaning given in clause 3.4 and Convert, Converting and Converted have a corresponding meaning.
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(l) Conversion Notice means the notice pursuant to which a Conversion Election is made in accordance with clause 2.2(b).
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(m) Conversion Price means the higher of: (1) the VWAP for the six month period ending at the end of the Relevant 12 Month Period (as defined in the definition of Trigger Event) and (2) $2.00. Item (1) of this definition is subject to clause 6 in connection with an Acquisition Event.
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(n) Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) .
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(o) Face Value has the meaning given in clause 1.2.
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(p) Government Licensing Revenue means aggregate recurring revenue (if any and calculated on the same basis as ‘Recurring Revenue’) of the Open Office Group from the ‘Government Licensing Project’ as contemplated by the Share Sale Deed in excess of $1,000,000 in any 12 month period (in respect of which it is noted there is a separate cash deferred consideration arrangement in the Share Sale Deed) .
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(q) Holder means the registered holder of the Class B Performance Share.
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(r) Issue Date means the date of issue of a Class B Performance Share.
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(s) Investigating Accountant means KPMG or, if KPMG is unable to act, a reputable
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accountant appointed by the independent directors of the Company (by simple majority approval).
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(t) Open Office Group means Pentagon Holdco Pty Ltd ACN 626 389 428 and each of its subsidiaries (as defined in the Corporations Act).
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(u) Ordinary Share means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company.
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(v) Redemption has the meaning given in clause 4.1 and Redeem has the corresponding meaning.
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(w) Redemption Notice means the notice pursuant to which a Redemption Election is made in accordance with clause 2.2(b).
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(x) Recurring Revenue means Revenue of the Open Office Group excluding Revenue in connection with implementation, development, consulting, training, perpetual licences, hardware sales, sale of assets, accounting revaluations (or other entries which will not result in cash receipts), research and development tax incentive, government grants, allowances, rebates or other handouts, or intra-group revenue charges made for the purpose of transfer pricing and/or cost reallocation (and also excluding, for avoidance of doubt, Government Licensing Revenue).
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(y) Retention Criteria has the meaning given in paragraph (ii) of the definition of Trigger Event.
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(z) Revenue means revenue of the Open Office Group as calculated based on AIFRS as it applies to the Company but excluding any Government Licensing Revenue. If any component of Revenue for a period of 12 calendar months includes anything in connection with a research and development tax incentive, the amount of incentive will be capped at $100,000 for the purpose of calculating Revenue.
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(aa) Share Sale Deed means the share sale deed between the Company, ReadyTech Pty Ltd, the Holders and others dated [ insert ] relating to the acquisition of the Open Office Group.
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(bb) Sunset Date means the date which falls 4 years and six months after the Issue Date.
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(cc) Trigger Date means the date on which a Trigger Event occurs.
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(dd) Trigger Event means when each of the following is satisfied:
-
(i) ( revenue ) achievement of the following before the Sunset Date, as confirmed by the Investigating Accountant:
-
(A) the aggregate Revenue of the Open Office Group for a consecutive 12 calendar month period ( Relevant 12 Month Period ) equals or exceeds $22,000,000; and
-
(B) the Recurring Revenue of the Open Office Group for the same Relevant 12 Month Period equals or exceeds $15,250,000; and
-
-
(ii) ( retention ) to the extent applicable to the relevant Holder, if on the Issue Date a Holder had an Associate who occupied the role of Chief Executive, Government & Justice or General Manager, Justice Systems on the Issue Date, that Associate continues to be an employee of the Company Group at the end of the Relevant 12 Month Period and has not issued a resignation notice except pursuant to a ‘Permitted Resignation’ event as set out in that Associate’s employment contract or received a termination notice pursuant to that Associate’s employment contract with the Company Group ( Retention Criteria ).
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(ee) VWAP means the volume weighted average market price as defined in the ASX Listing Rules calculated for the relevant period in respect of Ordinary Shares.
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(ff) Withering has the meaning given in clause 5 (and Wither or Withered has a
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corresponding meaning).
8.2 Interpretation
The following rules of interpretation apply in these share terms unless the contrary intention appears or the context otherwise requires.
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(a) Unless the context otherwise requires including in clause 7.1, if there is any inconsistency between the provisions of these share terms and the Company’s constitution then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the provisions of these share terms will prevail.
-
(b) Unless otherwise specified, the Company directors may exercise all powers of the Company under these share terms as are not, by the Corporations Act or by the Company’s constitution, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting.
-
(c) Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a clause is a reference to a clause of these share terms.
-
(d) If a payment is required to be made under these share terms, unless the contrary intention is expressed, the payment will be made in Australian dollars only.
-
(e) The terms takeover bid, scheme of arrangement, reduction of capital and buy-back when used in these share terms have the meaning given in the Corporations Act.
-
(f) The term bonus issue has the meaning given in the ASX Listing Rules.
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(g) For the purpose of determining whether paragraph (ii) of the definition of Trigger Event is satisfied in respect of a Holder it shall be tested in respect of that particular Holder only.
-
(h) Headings and boldings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these share terms.
-
(i) The singular includes the plural and vice versa.
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(j) A reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them.
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(k) If an event under these share terms must occur on a stipulated day which is not a Business Day, then the event will be done on the next Business Day.
-
(l) A reference to $, dollars or cents is a reference to the lawful currency of Australia.
-
(m) A reference to time in these share terms is a reference to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia time.
-
(n) Calculations, elections and determinations made by the Company under these share terms are binding on Holders in the absence of manifest error.
-
(o) If any provision of these share terms is prohibited or unenforceable in its terms but would not be prohibited or unenforceable if it were read down, and is capable of being read down, that provision must be read down accordingly. If, despite this clause, a provision is still prohibited or unenforceable, if the provision would not be prohibited or unenforceable if a word or words were omitted, the relevant words must be severed and, in any other case, the whole provision must be severed. However, the remaining provisions of the share terms are of full force and effect.
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