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SANTOS LIMITED Governance Information 2020

Feb 19, 2020

65872_rns_2020-02-19_5ca49a5a-218a-4a1c-8ae3-30f007c36b16.pdf

Governance Information

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Rules 4.7.3 and 4.10.3[1]

Appendix 4G

Key to Disclosures Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations

Name of entity

Name of entity Name of entity
Santos Limited
ABN/ARBN Financialyear ended
80 007 550 923 31 December 2019

Our corporate governance statement[2] for the above period above can be found at:[3]

these pages of our annual report: _________ this URL on our website: https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-governance/

The Corporate Governance Statement is accurate and up to date as at 19 February 2020 and has been approved by the board.

The annexure includes a key to where our corporate governance disclosures can be located.

Date: 19 February 2020 Name of Director or Secretary authorising Jodie Hatherly lodgement: Company Secretary

1 Under Listing Rule 4.7.3, an entity must lodge with ASX a completed Appendix 4G at the same time as it lodges its annual report with ASX.

Listing Rule 4.10.3 requires an entity that is included in the official list as an ASX Listing to include in its annual report either a corporate governance statement that meets the requirements of that rule or the URL of the page on its website where such a statement is located. The corporate governance statement must disclose the extent to which the entity has followed the recommendations set by the ASX Corporate Governance Council during the reporting period. If the entity has not followed a recommendation for any part of the reporting period, its corporate governance statement must separately identify that recommendation and the period during which it was not followed and state its reasons for not following the recommendation and what (if any) alternative governance practices it adopted in lieu of the recommendation during that period.

Under Listing Rule 4.7.4, if an entity chooses to include its corporate governance statement on its website rather than in its annual report, it must lodge a copy of the corporate governance statement with ASX at the same time as it lodges its annual report with ASX. The corporate governance statement must be current as at the effective date specified in that statement for the purposes of rule 4.10.3.

2 “Corporate governance statement” is defined in Listing Rule 19.12 to mean the statement referred to in Listing Rule 4.10.3 which discloses the extent to which an entity has followed the recommendations set by the ASX Corporate Governance Council during a particular reporting period.

3 Mark whichever option is correct and then complete the page number(s) of the annual report, or the URL of the web page, where the entity’s corporate governance statement can be found.

1

ANNEXURE – KEY TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
PRINCIPLE 1– LAY SOLID FOUNDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT
1.1 A listed entity should disclose:
(a) the respective roles and responsibilities of its
board and management; and
(b) those matters expressly reserved to the board
and those delegated to management.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 1.1 (‘Responsibilities’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and information about the respective roles and
responsibilities of our board and management (including those
matters expressly reserved to the board and those delegated to
management):
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos website
athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/
and the Board Charter, which is available at the same
location.
1.2 A listed entity should:
(a) undertake appropriate checks before appointing
a person, or putting forward to security holders
a candidate for election, as a director; and
(b) 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.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 2.3 (‘Director selection and succession
planning’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here

2

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
1.3 A listed entity should have a written agreement
with each director and senior executive setting out
the terms of their appointment.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 1.1 (‘Responsibilties’) and section 2.4 (‘Director
induction and continuing education’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
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.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 1.1 (‘Responsibilities’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
1.5 A listed entity should:
(a) have
a
diversity
policy
which
includes
requirements for the board or a relevant
committee of the board to set measurable
objectives for achieving gender diversity and to
assess annually both the objectives and the
entity’s progress in achieving them;
(b) disclose that policy or a summary of it; and
(c) disclose as at the end of each reporting period
the measurable objectives for achieving gender
diversity set by the board or a relevant
committee of the board in accordance with the
entity’s diversity policy and its progress towards
achieving them and either:
(1) 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); or
(2) if the entity is a “relevant employer” under
the Workplace Gender Equality Act, the
… the fact that we have a diversity policy that complies with
paragraph (a):
in section 5.1 (‘Diversity’) of our Corporate Governance
StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and a copy of our diversity policy or a summary of it:
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos website
athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/
… the measurable objectives for achieving gender diversity set
by the board or a relevant committee of the board in
accordance with our diversity policy and our progress towards
achieving them:
in section 5.1 (‘Diversity’) of our Corporate Governance
StatementOR

3

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
entity’s most recent “Gender Equality
Indicators”, as defined in and published
under that Act.
at this location:
______
Insert location here_
… and the information referred to in paragraphs (c)(1) or (2):
in section 5.1 (‘Diversity’) of our Corporate Governance
StatementOR
at this location:
______
_Insert location here
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, in relation to each reporting period,
whether
a
performance
evaluation
was
undertaken
in
the
reporting
period
in
accordance with that process.
… the evaluation process referred to in paragraph (a):
in section 2.5 (‘Review of Board, Board Committees and
Director performance’) of our Corporate Governance
StatementOR
at this location:
______
Insert location here_
… and the information referred to in paragraph (b):
in section 2.5 (‘Review of Board, Board Committees and
Director performance’) of our Corporate Governance
StatementOR
at this location:
______
_Insert location here

4

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
1.7 A listed entity should:
(a) have and disclose a process for periodically
evaluating the performance of its senior
executives; and
(b) disclose, in relation to each reporting period,
whether
a
performance
evaluation
was
undertaken
in
the
reporting
period
in
accordance with that process.
… the evaluation process referred to in paragraph (a):
in section 1.1 (‘Responsibilities’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
______
Insert location here_
… and the information referred to in paragraph (b):
in section 1.1 (‘Responsibilities’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
______
_Insert location here

5

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
PRINCIPLE 2- STRUCTURE THE BOARD TO ADD VALUE
2.1 The board of a listed entity should:
(a) have a nomination committee which:
(1) has at least three members, a majority of
whom are independent directors; and
(2) is chaired by an independent director,
and disclose:
(3) the charter of the committee;
(4) the members of the committee; and
(5) 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.
[If the entity complies with paragraph (a):]
… the fact that we have a nomination committee that complies
with paragraphs (1) and (2):
in section 3.1 (‘Role and Activities of Committees’) of our
Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and a copy of the charter of the committee:
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos website
athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/committees-of-the-board/
… and the information referred to in paragraphs (4) and (5):
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
Members: On page 8, 9 and 10 of the 2019 Annual Report,
which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
Meetings and attendances: On page 19 of the 2019 Annual
Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
2.2 A listed entity should have and disclose a board
skills matrix setting out the mix of skills and
diversity that the board currently has or is looking
to achieve in its membership.
… ou

r board skills matrix:
in section 2.2 (‘Board capabilities’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here

6

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
2.3 A listed entity should disclose:
(a) the names of the directors considered by the
board to be independent directors;
(b) if a director has an interest, position, association
or relationship of the type described in Box 2.3
but the board is of the opinion that it does not
compromise the independence of the director,
the nature of the interest, position, association
or relationship in question and an explanation of
why the board is of that opinion; and
(c) the length of service of each director.
… the names of the directors considered by the board to be
independent directors:
in section 2.1 (‘Board composition and Director
independence’) of our Corporate Governance Statement
AND
at this location:
The ‘Leadership Team’ page on the Santos website at
https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/board-leadership-team/
… where applicable, the information referred to in paragraph
(b):
in section 2.1 (‘Board composition and Director
independence’) of our Corporate Governance Statement
OR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… the length of service of each director:
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
On pages 8, 9 and 10 of the 2019 Annual Report, which can
be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
2.4 A majority of the board of a listed entity should be
independent directors.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 2.1 (‘Board composition and Director
independence’) of our Corporate Governance Statement
OR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here

7

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
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.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 2.1 (‘Board composition and Director
independence’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
2.6 A listed entity should have a program for inducting
new directors and provide appropriate professional
development opportunities for directors to develop
and maintain the skills and knowledge needed to
perform their role as directors effectively.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 2.4 (‘Director induction and continuing
education’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
PRINCIPLE 3– ACT ETHICALLY AND RESPONSIBLY
3.1 A listed entity should:
(a) have a code of conduct for its directors, senior
executives and employees; and
(b) disclose that code or a summary of it.
… ou

r code of conduct or a summary of it:
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos website
athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/
PRINCIPLE 4– SAFEGUARD INTEGRITY IN CORPORATE REPORTING
4.1 The board of a listed entity should:
(a) have an audit committee which:
(1) has at least three members, all of whom are
non-executive directors and a majority of
whom are independent directors; and
(2) is chaired by an independent director, who is
not the chair of the board,
and disclose:
(3) the charter of the committee;
… the fact that we have an audit committee that complies with
paragraphs (1) and (2):
in section 3.1 (‘Role and Activities of Committees’) of our
Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and a copy of the charter of the committee:
at this location:

8

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
(4) the relevant qualifications and experience of
the members of the committee; and
(5) 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
(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.
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos websiteat
https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/committees-of-the-board/
… and the information referred to in paragraphs (4) and (5):
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
Qualifications: On pages 8, 9 and 10 of the 2019 Annual
Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
Meetings and attendances: On page 19 of the 2019 Annual
Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
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, in their opinion, 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.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 4.3 (‘CEO and CFO Assurance’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
4.3 A listed entity that has an AGM should ensure that
its external auditor attends its AGM and is available
to answer questions from security holders relevant
to the audit.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 5.4 (‘Market communication and continuous
disclosure’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here

9

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
PRINCIPLE 5– MAKE TIMELY AND BALANCED DISCLOSURE
5.1 A listed entity should:
(a) have a written policy for complying with its
continuous disclosure obligations under the
Listing Rules; and
(b) disclose that policy or a summary of it.
… our continuous disclosure compliance policy or a summary
of it:
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
The Market Communication and Continuous Disclosure
Policy can be found in the ‘Corporate Governance’ section
of the Santos website athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-
are/corporate-governance/
PRINCIPLE 6– RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
6.1 A listed entity should provide information about
itself and its governance to investors via its website.
… information about us and our governance on our website:
at this location:
The Santos website athttps://www.santos.com/ and at
https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/
6.2 A listed entity should design and implement an
investor relations program to facilitate effective
two-way communication with investors.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 5.4 (‘Market communication and continuous
disclosure’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
6.3 A listed entity should disclose the policies and
processes it has in place to facilitate and encourage
participation at meetings of security holders.
… our policies and processes for facilitating and encouraging
participation at meetings of security holders:
in section 5.4 (‘Market communication and continuous
disclosure’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here

10

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
6.4 A listed entity should give security holders the
option to receive communications from, and send
communications to, the entity and its security
registry electronically.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 5.4 (‘Market communication and continuous
disclosure’) of our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
PRINCIPLE 7– RECOGNISE AND MANAGE RISK
7.1 The board of a listed entity should:
(a) have a committee or committees to oversee risk,
each of which:
(1) has at least three members, a majority of
whom are independent directors; and
(2) is chaired by an independent director,
and disclose:
(3) the charter of the committee;
(4) the members of the committee; and
(5) 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 risk committee or
committees that satisfy (a) above, disclose that
fact and the processes it employs for overseeing
the entity’s risk management framework.
… the fact that we have a committee or committees to oversee
risk that comply with paragraphs (1) and (2):
in section 3.1 (‘Role and Activities of Committees’) of our
Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and a copy of the charter of the committee:
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos websiteat
https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/committees-of-the-board/
… and the information referred to in paragraphs (4) and (5):
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
Members: On pages 8, 9 and 10 of the 2019 Annual Report,
which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
Meetings and attendances: On page 19 of the 2019 Annual
Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/

11

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
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
(b) disclose, in relation to each reporting period,
whether such a review has taken place.
… the fact that we follow this recommendation:
in section 4.1 (‘Risk management roles and
responsibilities’) of our Corporate Governance Statement
OR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
In 2019, a comprehensive review of the risk
management framework was undertaken by
Management. The risk management
framework was then reviewed by the Board
at the first meeting held in 2020.
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 risk management and internal control
processes.
… how our internal audit function is structured and what role it
performs:
in section 4.2 (‘Internal Audit’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementOR
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
7.4 A listed entity should disclose whether it has any
material exposure to economic, environmental and
social sustainability risks and, if it does, how it
manages or intends to manage those risks.
… whether we have any material exposure to economic,
environmental and social sustainability risks and, if we do, how
we manage or intend to manage those risks:
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
In the Operating and Financial Review that is on pages 20
to 29 of the 2019 Annual Report, which can be found at
the following link:
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
PRINCIPLE 8– REMUNERATE FAIRLY AND RESPONSIBLY
8.1 The board of a listed entity should:
(a) have a remuneration committee which:
(1) has at least three members, a majority of
whom are independent directors; and
(2) is chaired by an independent director,
… the fact that we have a remuneration committee that
complies with paragraphs (1) and (2):
in section 3.1 (‘Role and Activities of Committees’) of our
Corporate Governance StatementOR

12

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
and disclose:
(3) the charter of the committee;
(4) the members of the committee; and
(5) 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.
at this location:
_________
Insert location here
… and a copy of the charter of the committee:
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos websiteat
https://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/committees-of-the-board/
… and the information referred to in paragraphs (4) and (5):
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
Members: On pages 8, 9 and 10 of the 2019 Annual Report,
which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
Meetings and attendances: On page 19 of the 2019 Annual
Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/
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.
… separately our remuneration policies and practices regarding
the remuneration of non-executive directors and the
remuneration of executive directors and other senior
executives:
in our Corporate Governance StatementOR
at this location:
In the Remuneration Report commencing on page 32 of
the 2019 Annual Report and notes 7.2 and 7.3 to the
financial statements commencing on page 59 of the 2019
Annual Report, which can be accessed at
https://www.santos.com/investors/announcements/

13

Corporate Governance Council recommendation Corporate Governance Council recommendation We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We have followed the recommendation in full for the
whole of the period above. We have disclosed …
We haveNOT followed the recommendation in
full for the whole of the period above. We have
disclosed …
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.
… ou

r policy on this issue or a summary of it:
in section 5.3 (‘Securities Dealing Policy’) of our Corporate
Governance StatementAND
at this location:
The ‘Corporate Governance’ section of the Santos website
athttps://www.santos.com/who-we-are/corporate-
governance/

14