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REMSENSE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED — Governance Information 2021
Oct 28, 2021
65684_rns_2021-10-28_40763c0e-d392-400e-b783-ba9084175f87.pdf
Governance Information
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REMSENSE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED ACN 648 834 771 (Company)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
This Corporate Governance Statement is current as at 14 October 2021 and has been approved by the Board of the Company on that date.
This Corporate Governance Statement discloses the extent to which the Company will, as at the date it is admitted to the official list of the ASX, follow the recommendations set by the ASX Corporate Governance Council in its publication Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations – 4[th] Edition ( Recommendations ). The Recommendations are not mandatory, however the Recommendations that will not be followed have been identified and reasons provided for not following them along with what (if any) alternative governance practices the Company intends to adopt in lieu of the recommendation.
The Company has adopted a Corporate Governance Plan which provides the written terms of reference for the Company’s corporate governance duties.
The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan is available on the Company’s website at www.remsense.com.au/ .
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Principle 1: Lay solid foundations for management and oversight | ||
| Recommendation 1.1 (a) A listed entity should have and disclose a board charter which sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Chair and management, and includes a description of those matters expressly reserved to the Board and those delegated to management. |
YES | The Company has adopted a Board Charter that sets out the specific roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Chair and management and includes a description of those matters expressly reserved to the Board and those delegated to management. The Board Charter sets out the specific responsibilities of the Board, requirements as to the Board’s composition, the roles and responsibilities of the Chairman and Company Secretary, the establishment, operation and management of Board Committees, Directors’ access to Company records and information, details of the Board’s relationship with management, details of the Board’s performance review and details of the Board’s disclosure policy. |
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| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| A copy of the Company’s Board Charter, which is part of the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan, is available on the Company’s website. |
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| Recommendation 1.2 A listed entity should: (a) undertake appropriate checks before appointing a director or senior executive or putting someone forward for election as a Director; and (a) provide security holders with all material information in its possession relevant to a decision on whether or not to elect or re-elect a Director. |
YES | (a) The Company has guidelines for the appointment and selection of the Board and senior executives in its Corporate Governance Plan. The Company’s Nomination Committee Charter (in the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan) requires the Nomination Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) to ensure appropriate checks (including checks in respect of character, experience, education, criminal record and bankruptcy history (as appropriate)) are undertaken before appointing a person, or putting forward to security holders a candidate for election, as a Director. In the event of an unsatisfactory check, a Director is required to submit their resignation. (b) Under the Nomination Committee Charter, all material information relevant to a decision on whether or not to elect or re-elect a Director must be provided to security holders in the Notice of Meeting containing the resolution to elect or re-elect a Director. |
| Recommendation 1.3 A listed entity should have a written agreement with each Director and senior executive setting out the terms of their appointment. |
YES | The Company’s Nomination Committee Charter requires the Nomination Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) to ensure that each Director and senior executive is personally a party to a written agreement with the Company which sets out the terms of that Director’s or senior executive’s appointment. The Company has written agreements with each of its Directors and senior executives. |
| Recommendation 1.4 The Company Secretary of a listed entity should be accountable directly to the Board, through the Chair, on all matters to do with the proper functioning of the Board. |
YES | The Board Charter outlines the roles, responsibility and accountability of the Company Secretary. In accordance with this, the Company Secretary is accountable directly to the Board, through the Chair, on all matters to do with the proper functioning of the Board. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 1.5 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a diversity policy; (b) through its board or a committee of the board set measurable objectives for achieving gender diversity in the composition of its board, senior executives and workforce generally; and (c) disclose in relation to each reporting period: (i) the measurable objectives set for that period to achieve gender diversity; (ii) the entity’s progress towards achieving those objectives; and (iii) either: (A) the respective proportions of men and women on the Board, in senior executive positions and across the whole workforce (including how the entity has defined “senior executive” for these purposes); or (B) if the entity is a “relevant employer” under the Workplace Gender Equality Act, the entity’s most recent “Gender Equality Indicators”, as defined in the Workplace Gender Equality Act. If the entity was in the S&P / ASX 300 Index at the commencement of the reporting period, the measurable objective for achieving gender diversity in the composition of its board should be to have not less than 30% of its directors of each gender within a specified period. |
PARTIALLY | (a) The Company has adopted a Diversity Policy which provides a framework for the Company to establish, achieve and measure diversity objectives, including in respect of gender diversity. The Diversity Policy is available, as part of the Corporate Governance Plan, on the Company’s website. (b) The Diversity Policy allows the Board to set measurable gender diversity objectives ,if considered appropriate, and to continually monitor both the objectives if any have been set and the Company’s progress in achieving them. The Board does not presently intend to set measurable gender diversity objectives because: (i) the Board does not anticipate there will be a need to appoint any new Directors or senior executives due to the limited nature of the Company’s existing and proposed activities and the Board’s view that the existing Directors and senior executives have sufficient skill and experience to carry out the Company’s plans; (ii) if it becomes necessary to appoint any new Directors or senior executives, the Board will consider the application of the measurable diversity objectives and determined whether, given the small size of the Company and the Board, requIring specified objectives to be met will unduly limit the Company from applying the Diversity Policy as a whole and the Company’s policy of appointing the best person for the job; and (iii) the respective proportions of men and women on the Board, in senior executive positions and across the whole organisation (including how the entity has defined “senior executive” for these purposes) for each financial year will be disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 1.6 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a process for periodically evaluating the performance of the Board, its committees and individual Directors; and (b) disclose for each reporting period whether a performance evaluation has been undertaken in accordance with that process during or in respect of that period. |
YES | (a) The Company’s Nomination Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) is responsible for evaluating the performance of the Board, its committees and individual Directors on an annual basis. It may do so with the aid of an independent advisor. The process for this is set out in the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan, which is available on the Company’s website. (b) The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan requires the Company to disclose whether or not performance evaluations were conducted during the relevant reporting period. The Company intends to complete performance evaluations in respect of the Board, its committees (if any) and individual Directors for each financial year in accordance with the above process. |
| Recommendation 1.7 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a process for evaluating the performance of its senior executives at least once every reporting period; and (b) disclose for each reporting period whether a performance evaluation has been undertaken in accordance with that process during or in respect of that period. |
YES | (a) The Company’s Nomination Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) is responsible for evaluating the performance of the Company’s senior executives on an annual basis. The Company’s Remuneration Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) is responsible for evaluating the remuneration of the Company’s senior executives on an annual basis. A senior executive, for these purposes, means key management personnel (as defined in the Corporations Act) other than a non-executive Director. The applicable processes for these evaluations can be found in the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan, which is available on the Company’s website. (b) The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan requires the Company to disclose whether or not performance evaluations were conducted during the relevant reporting period. The Company intends to complete performance evaluations in respect of the senior executives (if any) for each financial year in accordance with the applicable processes. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Principle 2: Structure the Board to be effective and add value | ||
| Recommendation 2.1 The Board of a listed entity should: (a) have a nomination committee which: (i) has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent Directors; and (ii) is chaired by an independent Director, and disclose: (iii) the charter of the committee; (iv) the members of the committee; and (v) as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those meetings; or (b) if it does not have a nomination committee, disclose that fact and the processes it employs to address Board succession issues and to ensure that the Board has the appropriate balance of skills, knowledge, experience, independence and diversity to enable it to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively. |
YES | (a) The Company has a Nomination Committee. The Company’s Nomination Committee Charter provides for the creation of a Nomination Committee (if it is considered it will benefit the Company), with at least three members, a majority of whom are independent Directors, and which must be chaired by an independent Director. The members of the Nomination Committee, the number of times the committee meet during each financial year, and the individual attendances of the members, will be disclosed in the Annual Report. (b) The Company has a Nomination Committee. |
| Recommendation 2.2 A listed entity should have and disclose a Board skills matrix setting out the mix of skills that the Board currently has or is looking to achieve in its membership. |
YES | Under the Nomination Committee Charter (in the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan), the Nomination Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) is required to prepare a Board skills matrix setting out the mix of skills that the Board currently has (or is looking to achieve) and to review this at least annually against the Company’s Board skills matrix to ensure the appropriate mix of skills to discharge its obligations effectively and to add value and to ensure the Board has the ability to deal with new and emerging business and governance issues. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| The Company has a Board skill matrix setting out the mix of skills and diversity that the Board currently has or is looking to achieve in its membership. A copy is available in the Company’s Annual Report. The Board Charter requires the disclosure of each Board member’s qualifications and expertise. Full details as to each Director and senior executive’s relevant skills and experience are available in the Company’s Annual Report. |
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| Recommendation 2.3 A listed entity should disclose: (c) the names of the Directors considered by the Board to be independent Directors; if a Director has an interest, position or relationship of the type described in Box 2.3 of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th Edition), but the Board is of the opinion that it does not compromise the independence of the Director, the nature of the interest, position or relationship in question and an explanation of why the Board is of that opinion; and the length of service of each Director |
YES | (a) The Board Charter requires the disclosure of the names of Directors considered by the Board to be independent. The Board considers the following Directors are independent: Christopher Sutherland, Nicole O’Connor and Ross Taylor. (b) There are no independent Directors who fall into this category. (c) The Company’s Annual Report will disclose the length of service of each Director, as at the end of each financial year. |
| Recommendation 2.4 A majority of the Board of a listed entity should be independent Directors. |
YES | The Company’s Board Charter requires that, where practical, the majority of the Board should be independent. The Board currently comprises a total of four (4) directors, of whom three (3) are considered to be independent. As such, independent directors currently do comprise the majority of the Board. |
| Recommendation 2.5 The Chair of the Board of a listed entity should be an independent Director and, in particular, should not be the same person as the CEO of the entity. |
YES | The Board Charter provides that, where practical, the Chair of the Board should be an independent Director and should not be the CEO/Managing Director. The Chair of the Company is an independent Director and is not the CEO/Managing Director. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 2.6 A listed entity should have a program for inducting new Directors and for periodically reviewing whether there is a need for existing directors to undertake professional development to maintain the skills and knowledge needed to perform their role as Directors effectively. |
YES | In accordance with the Company’s Board Charter, the Nominations Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) is responsible for the approval and review of induction and continuing professional development programs and procedures for Directors to ensure that they can effectively discharge their responsibilities. The Company Secretary is responsible for facilitating inductions and professional development including receiving briefings on material developments in laws, regulations and accounting standards relevant to the Company. |
| Principle 3: Instil a culture of acting lawfully, ethically and responsibly | ||
| Recommendation 3.1 A listed entity should articulate and disclose its values. |
YES | The Company and its subsidiary companies (if any) are committed to conducting all of its business activities fairly, honestly with a high level of integrity, and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Board, management and employees are dedicated to high ethical standards and recognise and support the Company’s commitment to compliance with these standards. (b) The Company’s values are set out in its Code of Conduct (which forms part of the Corporate Governance Plan) and are available on the Company’s website. All employees are given appropriate training on the Company’s values and senior executives will continually reference such values. |
| Recommendation 3.2 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a code of conduct for its Directors, senior executives and employees; and (b) ensure that the Board or a committee of the Board is informed of any material breaches of that code. |
YES | (a) The Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct applies to the Company’s Directors, senior executives and employees. (b) The Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct (which forms part of the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan) is available on the Company’s website. Any material breaches of the Code of Conduct are reported to the Board or a committee of the Board. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 3.3 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a whistleblower policy; and (a) ensure that the Board or a committee of the Board is informed of any material incidents reported under that policy. |
YES | The Company’s Whistleblower Protection Policy (which forms part of the Corporate Governance Plan) is available on the Company’s website. Any material breaches of the Whistleblower Protection Policy are to be reported to the Board or a committee of the Board. |
| Recommendation 3.4 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose an anti-bribery and corruption policy; and (b) ensure that the Board or committee of the Board is informed of any material breaches of that policy. |
YES | The Company’s Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy (which forms part of the Corporate Governance Plan) is available on the Company’s website. Any material breaches of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy are to be reported to the Board or a committee of the Board. |
| Principle 4: Safeguard the integrity of corporate reports | ||
| Recommendation 4.1 The Board of a listed entity should: (a) have an audit committee which: (i) has at least three members, all of whom are non-executive Directors and a majority of whom are independent Directors; and (ii) is chaired by an independent Director, who is not the Chair of the Board, and disclose: (iii) the charter of the committee; (iv) the relevant qualifications and experience of the members of the committee; and (v) in relation to each reporting period, the number of times the committee met throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those meetings; or |
YES | (a) The Company has an Audit and Risk Committee. The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan contains an Audit and Risk Committee Charter that provides for the creation of an Audit and Risk Committee with at least three members, all of whom must be non-executive Directors, and majority of the Committee must be independent Directors. The Committee must be chaired by an independent Director who is not the Chair. The members of the Audit and Risk Committee, their relevant qualification and experience, the number of times the committee meets during each financial year, and the individual attendances of the members, will be disclosed in the Annual Report. (b) The Company has an Audit Committee. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| (b) if it does not have an audit committee, disclose that fact and the processes it employs that independently verify and safeguard the integrity of its corporate reporting, including the processes for the appointment and removal of the external auditor and the rotation of the audit engagement partner. |
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| Recommendation 4.2 The Board of a listed entity should, before it approves the entity’s financial statements for a financial period, receive from its CEO and CFO a declaration that the financial records of the entity have been properly maintained and that the financial statements comply with the appropriate accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the entity and that the opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively. |
YES | The Company’s Audit and Risk Committee Charter requires the CEO and CFO (or, if none, the person(s) fulfilling those functions) to provide a sign off on these terms. The Company intends to obtain a sign off on these terms for each of its financial statements in each financial year. |
| Recommendation 4.3 A listed entity should disclose its process to verify the integrity of any periodic corporate report it releases to the market that is not audited or reviewed by an external auditor. |
YES | The Company will include in each of its (to the extent that the information contained in the following is not audited or reviewed by an external auditor): (a) annual reports or on its website, a description of the process it undertakes to verify the integrity of the information in its annual directors’ report; (b) quarterly reports, or in its annual report or on its website, a description of the process it undertakes to verify the integrity of the information in its quarterly reports; (c) integrated reports, or in its annual report (if that is a separate document to its integrated report) or on its website, a description of the process it undertakes to verify the integrity of the information in its integrated reports; and (d) periodic corporate reports (such as a sustainability or CSR report), or in its annual report or on its website, a |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| description of the process it undertakes to verify the integrity of the information in these reports. |
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| Principle 5: Make timely and balanced disclosure | ||
| Recommendation 5.1 A listed entity should have and disclose a written policy for complying with its continuous disclosure obligations under listing rule 3.1. |
YES | (a) The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan details the Company’s Continuous Disclosure policy. (b) The Corporate Governance Plan, which incorporates the Continuous Disclosure policy, is available on the Company’s website. |
| Recommendation 5.2 A listed entity should ensure that its board receives copies of all material market announcements promptly after they have been made. |
YES | Under the Company’s Continuous Disclosure Policy (which forms part of the Corporate Governance Plan), all members of the Board will receive material market announcements promptly after they have been made. |
| Recommendation 5.3 A listed entity that gives a new and substantive investor or analyst presentation should release a copy of the presentation materials on the ASX Market Announcements Platform ahead of the presentation. |
YES | All substantive investor or analyst presentations will be released on the ASX Markets Announcement Platform ahead of such presentations. |
| Principle 6:Respect the rights of security holders | ||
| Recommendation 6.1 A listed entity should provide information about itself and its governance to investors via its website. |
YES | Information about the Company and its governance is available in the Corporate Governance Plan which can be found on the Company’s website. |
| Recommendation 6.2 A listed entity should have an investor relations program that facilitates effective two-way communication with investors. |
YES | The Company has adopted a Shareholder Communications Strategy which aims to promote and facilitate effective two-way communication with investors. The Strategy outlines a range of ways in which information is communicated to shareholders and is available on the Company’s website as part of the Company’s Corporate Governance Plan. |
| Recommendation 6.3 A listed entity should disclose how it facilitates and encourages participation at meetings of security holders. |
YES | Shareholders are encouraged to participate at all general meetings and AGMs of the Company. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| All substantive resolutions at securityholder meetings will be decided by a poll rather than a show of hands. |
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| Recommendation 6.4 A listed entity should ensure that all substantive resolutions at a meeting of security holders are decided by a poll rather than by a show of hands. |
YES | All substantive resolutions at securityholder meetings will be decided by a poll rather than a show of hands. |
| Recommendation 6.5 A listed entity should give security holders the option to receive communications from, and send communications to, the entity and its security registry electronically. |
YES | The Shareholder Communication Strategy provides that security holders can register with the Company to receive email notifications when an announcement is made by the Company to the ASX, including the release of the Annual Report, half yearly reports and quarterly reports. Links are made available to the Company’s website on which all information provided to the ASX is immediately posted. Shareholders queries should be referred to the Company Secretary at first instance. |
| Principle 7: Recognise and manage risk | ||
| Recommendation 7.1 The Board of a listed entity should: (a) have a committee or committees to oversee risk, each of which: (i) has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent Directors; and (ii) is chaired by an independent Director, and disclose: (iii) the charter of the committee; (iv) the members of the committee; and (v) as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those meetings; or |
YES | (a) The Company has an Audit and Risk Committee. The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan contains an Audit and Risk Committee Charter that provides for the creation of an Audit and Risk Committee with at least three members, all of whom must be non-executive Directors, and majority of the Committee must be independent Directors. The Committee must be chaired by an independent Director who is not the Chair. A copy of the Corporate Governance Plan is available on the Company’s website. The members of the Audit and Risk Committee, the number of times the committee meets during each financial year, and the individual attendances of the members, will be disclosed in the Annual Report. (b) The Company has an Audit and Risk Committee. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| (b) if it does not have a risk committee or committees that satisfy (a) above, disclose that fact and the process it employs for overseeing the entity’s risk management framework. |
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| Recommendation 7.2 The Board or a committee of the Board should: (a) review the entity’s risk management framework at least annually to satisfy itself that it continues to be sound and that the entity is operating with due regard to the risk appetite set by the Board; and (b) disclose in relation to each reporting period, whether such a review has taken place. |
YES | (a) The Audit and Risk Committee Charter requires that the Audit and Risk Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) should, at least annually, satisfy itself that the Company’s risk management framework continues to be sound and that the Company is operating with due regard to the risk appetite set by the Board. (b) The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan requires the Company to disclose at least annually whether such a review of the Company’s risk management framework has taken place. |
| Recommendation 7.3 A listed entity should disclose: (a) if it has an internal audit function, how the function is structured and what role it performs; or (b) if it does not have an internal audit function, that fact and the processes it employs for evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness of its governance, risk management and internal control processes. |
YES | (a) The Audit and Risk Committee Charter provides for the Audit and Risk Committee to monitor and periodically review the need for an internal audit function, as well as assessing the performance and objectivity of any internal audit procedures that may be in place. (b) The Company does not have an internal audit function. |
| Recommendation 7.4 A listed entity should disclose whether it has any material exposure to environmental or social risks and, if it does, how it manages or intends to manage those risks. |
YES | The Audit and Risk Committee Charter requires the Audit and Risk Committee (or, in its absence, the Board) to assist management to determine whether the Company has any potential or apparent exposure to environmental or social risks and, if it does, put in place management systems, practices and procedures to manage those risks. The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan requires the Company to disclose whether it has any potential or apparent exposure to environmental or social risks and, if it does, put in place management systems, practices and procedures to manage those risk. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Where the Company does not have material exposure to environmental or social risks, report the basis for that determination to the Board, and where appropriate benchmark the Company’s environmental or social risk profile against its peers. The Company will disclose this information in its Annual Report. |
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| Principle 8: Remunerate fairly and responsibly | ||
| Recommendation 8.1 The Board of a listed entity should: (a) have a remuneration committee which: (i) has at least three members, a majority of whom are independent Directors; and (ii) is chaired by an independent Director, and disclose: (iii) the charter of the committee; (iv) the members of the committee; and (v) as at the end of each reporting period, the number of times the committee met throughout the period and the individual attendances of the members at those meetings; or (b) if it does not have a remuneration committee, disclose that fact and the processes it employs for setting the level and composition of remuneration for Directors and senior executives and ensuring that such remuneration is appropriate and not excessive. |
YES | (a) The Company has a Remuneration Committee.]The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan contains a Remuneration Committee Charter that provides for the creation of a Remuneration Committee (if it is considered it will benefit the Company), with at least three members, a majority of whom are be independent Directors, and which must be chaired by an independent Director. The members of the Remuneration Committee, the number of times the committee meets during each financial year, and the individual attendances of the members, will be disclosed [in the Annual Report. (b) The Company has a Remuneration Committee. |
| Recommendation 8.2 A listed entity should separately disclose its policies and practices regarding the remuneration of non-executive Directors and the remuneration of executive Directors and other senior executives. |
YES | The Company’s Corporate Governance Plan requires the Board to disclose its policies and practices regarding the remuneration of Directors and senior executives, which is disclosed in the remuneration report contained in the Company’s Annual Report. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS (4TH EDITION) | COMPLY | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 8.3 A listed entity which has an equity-based remuneration scheme should: (a) have a policy on whether participants are permitted to enter into transactions (whether through the use of derivatives or otherwise) which limit the economic risk of participating in the scheme; and (b) disclose that policy or a summary of it |
YES | (c) The Company has an equity-based remuneration scheme. The Company has a policy on whether participants are permitted to enter into transactions (whether through the use of derivatives or otherwise) which limit the economic risk of participating in the scheme. (d) A copy of the policy will be provided on the Company’s website. |