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ZEOTECH LIMITED — Governance Information 2021
Sep 27, 2021
66115_rns_2021-09-27_366cca6b-7d9d-44cf-bc35-2748513d76f7.pdf
Governance Information
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ZEOTECH LIMITED
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
Approved by the Board – 27 September 2021
ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations
| ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th Edition) |
Complies | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
PRINCIPLE 1: LAY SOLID FOUNDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT
| Recommendation 1.1 A listed entity should have and disclose a board charter setting out: (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. |
Yes | The company had adopted a Board Charter. The Company has disclosed the respective roles and responsibilities of its Board and management, and the functions reserved by the Board and those delegated to senior management, in the Company’s Board Charter. A copy of the Board Charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of 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 (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. |
Yes | The Company undertakes a number of checks before appointing a person or putting forward to security holders a candidate for election as a Director or Senior Executive and provides material information to shareholders about a candidate for election or re-election. The Board of Directors ensures that appropriate checks and references are taken for new Directors and key executives, and that effective induction and education procedures exist for new Board appointees and key executives. These include checks as to the person’s character, experience and education. Information provided to security holders in a Notice of Meeting or disclosure document (where applicable) includes: biographical details and the skills the candidates bring to the Board; details of any other material directorships currently held by the candidate; in the case of a candidate standing for election as a Director for the first time, any material adverse information revealed by the checks that the Company has performed about the Director, details of any interest, position, association or relationship that might influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, in a material respect his or her capacity to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues before the Board and to act in the best interests of the Company and its security holders generally, and if the Board considers that the candidate will, if elected, qualify as an independent Director, a statement to that effect; in the case of a candidate standing for re-election as a Director, the term of office currently served by the Director and if the Board considers the Director to be an independent Director, a statement to that effect and a statement by the Board as to whether or not it supports the election or re-election of the candidate. A candidate for appointment or election as a Non-Executive Director must provide the Board with the information above and a consent for the Company to conduct any background or other checks the Company would ordinarily conduct. The candidate must also provide details of his or her other commitments and an indication of time involved, and specifically acknowledge to the Company that he or she will have sufficient time to fulfil his or her responsibilities as 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 has a procedure of obtaining a written agreement with each Director and senior executive setting out their terms of appointment. These agreements take the form of letters of appointment for all Directors and additional service contracts in the case of Executive Directors or other senior executives. For each Non-Executive Director, the letter of appointment generally sets out the following: the terms of appointment; the time commitment envisaged, including any expectations regarding involvement with committee work and any other special duties attaching to the positions; remuneration, including superannuation entitlements; the requirement to disclose Directors’ interests and any matters that may affect Directors’ independence; the requirement to comply with key corporate policies, including the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct, and its Securities Trading Policy; the Company’s policy on when Directors may seek independent professional advice at the expense of the Company (which is generally whenever Directors, especially Non-Executive Directors, judge such advice necessary for them to discharge their responsibilities as Directors); indemnity and insurance arrangements; ongoing rights of access to corporate information; and ongoing confidentiality obligations. In the case of Executive Directors or other senior executives, the agreements generally set out the information above (to the extent applicable), as well as: descriptions of their positions, duties and responsibilities; the persons or bodies to whom they report; the circumstances in which their services may be terminated; and any entitlements on termination. The Company is required under the ASX Listing Rules to disclose the material terms of any employment, service or consultancy agreement it or a subsidiary enters into with its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (or equivalent), any of its Directors, and any other person or entity who is a related party of its CEO or any of its Directors. It is also required to disclose any material variation to such an agreement. |
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| 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 Company Secretary of the Company is accountable directly to the Board, through the Chairperson, on all matters to do with the proper functioning of the Board. The Company Secretary plays an important role in supporting the effectiveness of the Board and its Committees. The role of the Company Secretary includes advising the Board and its Committees on governance matters; monitoring that Board and Committee policies and procedures are followed; co-ordinating the timely completion and despatch of Board and Committee papers; ensuring that the business at Board and Committee meetings is accurately captured in the minutes; and helping to organise and facilitate the induction and professional development of Directors. Each Director is able to communicate directly with the Company Secretary and vice versa. The decision to appoint or remove a Company Secretary is made or approved by the Board. |
| 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 |
Partially | The Company’ workforce, including employees, contractors, management and the Board, is made up of individuals with diverse skills, values, backgrounds and experiences that bring to the Company the skills and expertise that are required for the Company to enhance its performance. The Company values diversity and recognises the benefit it can bring in achieving the Company’s goals. To this end, the Company has a Diversity Policy Charter that reflects its commitments and objectives, and includes requirements for the Board to annually review performance against these objectives, as part of its annual performance assessment. The Company has established a Diversity Policy. A copy of the Diversity Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s |
(c) disclose in relation to each reporting period:
(1) the measurable objectives set for that period to achieve gender diversity;
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(2) the entity’s progress towards achieving those objectives; and
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(3) 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
website.
Due to the current size and composition of the organisation, the Board does not consider it appropriate to provide measurable objectives in relation to gender. The Company is committed to ensuring that the appropriate mix of skills, experience, expertise and diversity are considered when employing staff at all levels of the organisation, and when making new senior executive and Board appointments, and is satisfied that the composition of employees, senior executives and members is appropriate considering its size and environment. The Company has the objective to improve the current ratio of women to men with its proposed staff recruitment as soon as the scale of its operations allows so.
(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 and published under that Act.
| Recommendation 1.6 | Partially | The Board/Nomination Committee/Remuneration Committee (each and | ||
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| A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose a process for periodically evaluating the performance of the board, its committees and |
as applicable, and in its absence the Board) has not adopted any formal procedures for the review of the performance of the Board, its committees, individual directors and senior executives. The Board has however adopted an on-going self-evaluation process to measure its performance, which is currently considered to meet the Board’s obligations sufficiently. |
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| individual directors; and | ||||
| (b) disclose for each reporting period whether a performance evaluation has been undertaken in |
The review process takes into consideration all of the Board’s key areas of responsibility and accountability and is based on an amalgamation of factors including capability, skill levels, understanding of industry complexities, risks and challenges, and value adding contributions to the overall management of the business. |
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| accordance with that process | ||||
| during or in respect of that | The review includes; comparing the performance of the Board with the | |||
| period. | requirements of its charter, examination of the Boards interaction with | |||
| management, the nature of information provided to the Board by | ||||
| management, managements performance in assisting the Board to meet | ||||
| its objectives and analysis of whether there is a need for existing | ||||
| Directors to undertake professional development. | ||||
| A similar review may be conducted for each committee by the Board with | ||||
| the aim of assessing the performance of each committee and identifying | ||||
| areas where improvements can be made. | ||||
| The remuneration committee will oversee the evaluation of the | ||||
| remuneration of the Company’s senior executives. This evaluation is |
| based on specific criteria. The Company completes performance evaluations in respect of the Board, individual directors and committees (if any) for each financial year in accordance with its policy. The Board aims to ensure that shareholders are informed of all information necessary to assess the performance of the directors. Information is communicated to the shareholders through: • the annual report which is distributed to all shareholders; • the half-yearly report; • the annual general meeting and other meetings to obtain shareholder approval for Board actions as appropriate; and • continuous disclosure in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.1 and the Company's continuous disclosure policy |
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| 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. |
Partially | The Board/Nomination Committee/Remuneration Committee (each and as applicable, and in its absence the Board) conducts an annual review of the performance of the Board, its committees, individual directors and senior executives. The remuneration committee will oversee the evaluation of the remuneration of the Company’s senior executives. This evaluation is based on specific criteria. A performance evaluation of senior executives was undertaken during the reporting period. |
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: (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 |
No | The Board has adopted a Nomination Committee Charter, however having regard to the number of members currently comprising the Company’s Board and the stage of the Company’s development, the Board does not consider it appropriate to delegate these responsibilities to a separate Nomination Committee. The Board believes that no efficiencies or other benefits would be gained by establishing a separate Nomination Committee. These arrangements will be reviewed periodically by the Board to ensure that they continue to be appropriate to the Company’s circumstances. Recommendations of candidates for new directors are made by the directors for consideration by the Board as a whole. If it is necessary to appoint a new director to fill a vacancy on the Board or to complement the existing Board, a wide potential base of possible candidates is considered. If a candidate is recommended by a director, the Board assesses that proposed new director against a range of criteria including background, experience, professional skills, personal qualities, the potential for the candidate’s skills to augment the existing Board and the candidate’s availability to commit to the Board’s activities. If these criteria are met and the Board appoints the candidate as a director, that director must retire at the next following Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and will be eligible for election by shareholders at that Annual General Meeting. As the Company grows and develops, it will review the merits of establishing a formal Nomination Committee. Until then the Board carries out the duties that would ordinarily be assigned to the Nomination Committee under the written terms of reference for the |
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(b) if it does not have a committee. 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.
Recommendation 2.2
The Board seeks a mix of skills suitable for a company of the size and business nature of Zeotech. A summary of the key board skills matrix is set out below. Further details regarding the skills and experience of each Director are included in the Directors’ Report of the Company’s Annual Report.
Yes
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.
The current Board members represent individuals that have extensive business and industry experience as well as professionals that bring to the Board their specific skills in order for the company to achieve its strategic, operational and compliance objectives. Their suitability to the directorship has been determined primarily on the basis of their ability to deliver outcomes in accordance with the company’s short and longer term objectives and therefore deliver value to shareholders.
| Director Capital Industry Finance |
Listed | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skills Markets knowledge Accounting |
Company | |||||||
| Sylvia Tulloch |
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| Peter Zardo |
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| Robert Downey |
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| Name Position Independent |
Length of | |||||||
| Service | ||||||||
| Sylvia Tulloch Non-Executive Chair Yes |
Appointed July 2020 |
7 |
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| Peter Zardo Managing Director No |
Appointed July 2020 |
7 |
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| Robert Downey Non-Executive Director Yes Appointed 18 October 2016 The Board has reviewed the position and associations of each of the |
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| directors in office at the date of this report and considers that Ms Sylvia Tulloch and Mr Robert Downey are independent non-executive directors. Mr Peter Zardo, Managing Director, is not considered independent in terms of Recommendation 2.3 and other facts, information and circumstances that the Board considers relevant. The |
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| Board assesses the independence of new directors upon appointment |
Recommendation 2.3
Yes Name Position Independent Length of A listed entity should disclose: Service (a) the names of the directors considered by the board to Non-Executive Appointed 7 be independent directors; Sylvia Tulloch Chair Yes July 2020 (b) if a director has an interest, position, affiliation or Peter Zardo Managing No Appointed 7 relationship of the type Director July 2020 described in Box 2.3 but the board is of the opinion that it Robert Downey Non-Executive Yes Appointed 18 does not compromise the Director October 2016 independence of the The Board has reviewed the position and associations of each of the director, the nature of the directors in office at the date of this report and considers that Ms Sylvia interest, position or Tulloch and Mr Robert Downey are independent non-executive relationship in question and directors. Mr Peter Zardo, Managing Director, is not considered an explanation of why the independent in terms of Recommendation 2.3 and other facts, board is of that opinion; and information and circumstances that the Board considers relevant. The Board assesses the independence of new directors upon appointment
| (c) the length of service of each director. |
and reviews their independence, and the independence of other directors, as appropriate. |
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| Recommendation 2.4 A majority of the board of a listed entity should be independent directors. |
Yes | Having regard to the response to Recommendation 2.3 above, the majority of the Board are independent directors. |
| 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 Chairman is independent and is not the CEO. Further details regarding the Directors are set out in the Directors’ Report of the Company’s Annual Report |
| Recommendation 2.6 A listed entity should have a programme 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 | Every new Director receives a Letter of Appointment accompanied by: a Director’s Deed of Access and Indemnity; information on the Company’s policies and charters; and an induction meeting. All directors are expected to maintain the skills required to effectively discharge their obligations to the Company. The Board considers training to develop skills and experience of individual Board members in conjunction with its review of the Skills Matrix. In order to ensure the Board is able to discharge its responsibilities properly, the Board has a process whereby Directors can obtain independent professional advice, to develop and maintain their skills and knowledge and ensure they are able to perform their role as Director (at the expense of the Company). Specifically, an analysis of whether there is a need for existing Directors to undertake professional development is reviewed annually by the Board. |
PRINCIPLE 3: INSTIL A CULTURE OF ACTING LAWFULLY, ETHICALLY AND RESONSIBLY
| Recommendation 3.1 A listed entity should articulate and disclose its values. |
Yes | A copy of the Company’s Statement of Values is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website (under the heading ‘Schedule 2 – Corporate Code of Conduct’ and ‘Schedule 6 – Statement of Values’. |
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| 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 | The Company has a Company Code of Conduct that has been fully endorsed by the Board and applies to all Directors, senior executives and employees. The Company Code of Conduct is reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure it reflects the highest standards of behaviour and professionalism, and the practices necessary to maintain confidence in the Company’s integrity, and to take into account legal obligations and reasonable expectations of the Company’s stakeholders. A copy of the Company’s Code of Conduct is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. Any material breaches of the Code of Conduct are reported to the Board or a committee of the Board. |
| Recommendation 3.3 A listed entity should: a) have and disclose a whistleblower policy; and (b) ensure that the board or a committee of the board is informed of any material incidents reported under that policy. |
Yes | The Company has a Whistleblower Policy and is committed to conducting all of its business activities fairly, honestly with integrity, and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company’s board of directors, management and employees are dedicated to high ethical standards and recognise and support the Company’s commitment to compliance with these standards. Any material breaches of the Whistleblower Protection Policy are to be reported to the Whistleblower Protection Officer, a relevant Supervisor/Senior Manager, the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, any member of the Board, or the Company Secretary (as |
| appropriate). Reports can be made by email, telephone or in person. In certain cases the disclosing party may feel more comfortable making an anonymous disclosure. A copy of the Company’s Whistleblower Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. |
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| Recommendation 3.4 A listed entity should: (a) have and disclose an anti- bribery and corruption policy; and (b) ensure that the board or a committee of the board is informed of any material breaches of that policy. |
Yes | The Company has an Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy. The Policy outlines the Company’s commitment to fair and legal business practices, anti-bribery and corruption. Any material incidents related to Bribery or Corruption will be reported to the Board, or relevant Board Sub-Committee. A copy of the Company’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. |
PRINCIPLE 4: SAFEGUARD THE INTEGRITY OF CORPORATE REPORTS
| Recommendation 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; (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 integrityof its |
No | The Board has decided not to form a separate Audit Committee at this stage. The Board believes that no efficiencies or other benefits would be gained by establishing a separate Audit Committee. The Board has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, however the Board as a whole performs the function of the Audit Committee. Having regard to the number of members currently comprising the Company’s Board and due to the size and scale of its operations, the Board as a whole considers that it is more efficient and effective for the corporate reporting process to not have an Audit Committee at this stage. The Board will monitor this position as the Company’s circumstances change. The Board as a whole determines when to seek the appointment or removal of the external auditor, and subject to any statutory requirements, the Board will also seek rotation of the audit partner on an as required basis. Details of the qualifications and experience of the members of the Committee, being the full Board, are contained in the ‘Information of directors’ section of the Directors’ Report in the Annual Report. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. |
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| 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, 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. |
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 Board ensures that before it approves the entity’s financial statements for a financial period it receives declarations 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 Company and that the opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively. |
| 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 Board and Company Secretary are responsible for reviewing all communications to the market to ensure they are full and accurate and comply with the Company’s obligations. |
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 | The Company has adopted a Continuous Disclosure Policy which sets out the processes and practices that ensure its compliance with the continuous disclosure requirements under applicable Listing Rules and applicable corporation law (including the Corporations Act). A copy of the Continuous Disclosure Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website |
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| 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 | All announcements are circulated to the board before (if material) or immediately after release to the market (if not material). |
| 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 | Under the Company’s Continuous Disclosure Policy, any written materials containing new price sensitive information to be used in investor presentations are lodged with ASX prior to the presentation commencing. |
PRINCIPLE 6: RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Recommendation 6.1 Yes The Company keeps investors informed of its corporate governance,
| A listed entity should provide information about itself and its governance to investors via its website. |
financial performance and prospects via its website. Investors can access copies of all announcements to the ASX, notices of meetings, annual reports, financial statements, corporate governance charters and policies, investor presentations and general information regarding the Company on the Company’s website. |
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| Recommendation 6.2 A listed entity should have an investor relations programme that facilitates effective two-way communication with investors. |
Yes | The Board of the Company aims to ensure that the shareholders are informed of all major developments affecting the Company’s state of affairs. The company is committed to promoting effective communications with shareholders by ensuring they and the investment market generally are provided with full and timely disclosure of its activities and providing equal opportunity for all stakeholders to receive externally available information issued by the company in a timely manner. Shareholders are encouraged to participate at all GMs and AGMs of the Company. Upon the despatch of any notice of meeting to shareholders, the Company Secretary shall send out material with that notice of meeting stating that all shareholders are encouraged to participate at the meeting. The Company will ensure that appropriate technology is used to facilitate the participation of shareholders at such meetings and that meetings will be held at a reasonable time and place. Shareholders who are unable to attend meetings may ask questions or provide comments ahead of meetings. The Company conducts periodic investor briefings, roadshows, site visits and attends regional and industry specific conferences (where applicable) in order to facilitate effective two-way communication with investors and other financial market participants. The presentation material provided at these events is posted on the Company’s website, which also provides the opportunity for interested parties to join the mailing list to receive regular updates from the Company. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Communication Policy because the Board is of the view that an effective policy for communication with shareholders enhances its strong culture of disclosure to keep the shareholders and the relevant markets informed of all major developments affecting the Company. A copy of the Shareholder Communication Policy is available on the Company’s website. |
| 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 GMs and AGMs of the Company. Upon the despatch of any notice of meeting to shareholders, the Company Secretary shall send out material with that notice of meeting stating that all shareholders are encouraged to participate at the meeting. The Company will ensure that appropriate technology is used to facilitate the participation of shareholders at such meetings and that meetings will be held at a reasonable time and place. Shareholders who are unable to attend meetings may ask questions or provide comments ahead of meetings. Shareholders are always given the opportunity to ask questions of Directors and management, either during or after meetings. In addition, the company’s auditor is also made available for questions at the Company’s AGM of Shareholders. |
| Recommendation 6.4 A listed entity should ensure that all substantive resolutions at a meeting |
Yes | Per the Company’s Corporate Governance Policy and specifically the Shareholder Communication Strategy section, all substantive resolutions at shareholder meetings will be decided by a poll rather than a show of hands. |
of security holders are decided by a poll rather than by a show of hands.
| of security holders are decided by a poll rather than by a show of hands. |
of security holders are decided by a poll rather than by a show of hands. |
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| 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 Company engages its share registry to manage the majority of communications with shareholders. Shareholders are encouraged to receive correspondence from the company electronically, thereby facilitating a more effective, efficient and environmentally friendly communication mechanism with shareholders. Shareholders not already receiving information electronically can elect to do so through the share registry, Automic Registry Services at www.automicgroup.com.au. Shareholders can register with the share registry to access their personal information and shareholdings via the internet. |
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: (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. |
No | The Board has decided not to form a separate Risk Committee at this stage. The Board believes that no efficiencies or other benefits would be gained by establishing a separate Risk Committee. The Board has adopted a Risk Committee Charter, however the Board as a whole performs the function of the Risk Committee. Having regard to the number of members currently comprising the Company’s Board and due to the size and scale of its operations, the Board as a whole considers that it is more efficient and effective for the full Board to oversee the risk management process. The Board will monitor this position as the Company’s circumstances change. A copy of the Risk Committee Charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. |
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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 entityis |
Yes | The Board determines the Company’s “risk profile” and is responsible for establishing, overseeing and approving the Company’s risk management framework, strategy and policies, internal compliance and internal control. The responsibility for undertaking and assessing risk management and internal control effectiveness is delegated to management. Management is required to assess risk management and associated internal compliance and control procedures and report, at least annually, to the |
| 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. |
audit and risk committee. The Board will review assessments of the effectiveness of risk management and internal compliance and control at least annually. The Company must disclose at least annually whether the Board (or a committee of the Board) has completed a review of the Company’s risk management framework to satisfy itself that the framework: a) continues to be sound; b) ensures that the Company is operating with due regard to the risk appetite set by the Board; and c) deals adequately with contemporary and emerging risks such as conduct risk, digital disruption, cyber-security, privacy and data breaches, sustainability and climate change. There is an ongoing program to identify, monitor and manage compliance issues and material business risks with a view to enhancing the value of every shareholder’s investment and safeguarding the company’s investments. The Board reviews the identification, management and reporting of risk as part of the annual budget process. More frequent reviews are undertaken as conditions or events dictate. The Board reviews risks to the company at regular Board meetings The Company will disclose if it has any material exposure to environmental or social risks and, if it does, how it manages, or intends to manage, those risks. A copy of the Company’s Risk Management Policy is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website. |
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| 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. |
No | 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. The Company does not have an internal audit function due to its size. The Board considers the process employed pursuant to the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Risk Management Policy are sufficient for evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness of its risk management and internal control processes given the size and complexity of the current business. The Board also liaises closely with the company’s external auditor to identify potential improvements to the risk management and internal control procedures. The Board recognises that no cost-effective internal control system will preclude the possibility of errors and irregularities. The company has insurance, including public liability, to cover unexpected or unforeseen events and reduce any adverse consequences. |
| 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 Board determines the Company’s “risk profile” and is responsible for establishing, overseeing and approving the Company’s risk management framework, strategy and policies, internal compliance and internal control. The Board/Audit and Risk Committee (as applicable), will assist management to determine whether it has any material exposure to environmental or social risks, and specifically; i) if it does, how it manages, or intends to manage, those risks; and ii) if it does not, report the basis for that determination to the Board, and where appropriate benchmark the Company’s environmental or social riskprofile against its |
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peers;
The company does not believe it has any material exposure to environmental or social risks.
The Company will disclose this information in its Annual Report which is available on the Company’s website.
PRINCIPLE 8: REMUNERATE FAIRLY AND RESPONSIBLY
| Recommendation 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, 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. |
No | The Board has decided not to form a separate Remuneration Committee at this stage. The Board believes that no efficiencies or other benefits would be gained by establishing a separate Remuneration Committee. The Board has adopted a Remuneration Committee Charter, however the Board as a whole performs the function of the Remuneration Committee. The Board periodically undertakes a review to ensure that the level and composition of remuneration for Directors and senior executives is appropriate and not excessive. An outline of the Company's remuneration policies in respect of directors and executives is set out in the audited Remuneration Report contained in the Directors’ Report of the Annual Report. Detailed disclosure of the remuneration paid to the Company's directors and executives is set within the Remuneration Report section of the annual report. The Company’s aim is to remunerate at a level that will attract and retain high-calibre directors and employees. Company officers and Directors are remunerated to a level consistent with the size of the Company. |
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| 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 will separately disclose its policies and practices regarding the remuneration of the Company’s Non-Executive Directors and the remuneration of its Executive Directors and Senior Executives in the audited Remuneration Report in the Company’s Annual Report. |
| Recommendation 8.3 A listed entity which has an equity- based remuneration scheme should: |
Yes | The use of derivatives or other hedging arrangements for unvested securities of the company or vested securities of the company which are subject to escrow arrangements is prohibited. Where a director or other senior executive uses derivatives or other |
(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.
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hedging arrangements over vested securities of the company, this will be disclosed. Further details regarding the equity-based schemes are set in the Remuneration Report within the Annual Report.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 9.1 N/A A listed entity with a director who does not speak the language in which board or security holder meetings are held or key corporate documents are written should disclose the processes it has in place to ensure the director understands and can contribute to the discussions at those meetings and understands and can discharge their obligations in relation to those documents. Recommendation 9.2 N/A A listed entity established outside Australia should ensure that meetings of security holders are held at a reasonable place and time. Recommendation 9.3 N/A A listed entity established outside Australia, and an externally managed 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.