Australian Government’s 2023 – 2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy

On 22 November 2023, the Australian Government released its 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy aims to realise the Australian Government’s vision of becoming a world leader in cyber security by 2030. The Strategy seeks to protect Australians by improving cyber security, managing cyber risks, and better supporting Australians and organisations to manage …
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Does your agency know when to engage a probity advisor?

Probity is the evidence of ethical behaviour, and can be defined as complete and confirmed integrity, uprightness and honesty in a particular process. When dealing with government resources officials need to ensure proper use and management of public resources. Probity aims to identify the risks which can occur at any stage of a process and …
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Governance Manuals – should your organisation have one?

Whether your organisation is a company limited by guarantee, not for profit or start-up, a Governance Manual, or Governance Charter, could prove useful in the short and long term operation of your organisation. What is a Governance Manual? A Governance Manual is a central document which contains information about most aspects of the operations and …
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2021 AGM Season: Use of Technology – Will Covid-19 Provisions Become Permanent?

During the Covid Crisis, the Government has twice had to introduce changes to allow companies to meet and carry out key functions such as executing documents without breaching public health orders. While there are provisions in place to allow the 2021 AGM season to proceed, permanent changes to the Corporations Act are currently under consideration.

Director Identification Numbers Bill has passed

All company directors will soon be required to apply to ASIC to obtain their own unique Director Identification Number (DIN). The Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill (the Amendment), part of the Government’s legislative package to introduce the Commonwealth Registers Act, has now passed both houses of parliament. Pending royal assent, it …
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Temporary change to obligations of incorporated associations

The States and Territories have introduced some temporary changes affecting incorporated associations. The changes are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are to accommodate for new social distancing laws. Incorporated associations in the ACT ACT-based incorporated associations have been granted a 3-month extension on their Annual General Meeting (AGM) requirements, applicable up until 30 …
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To be or not to be – the next Annual General Meeting (AGM)

As a result of the Corona Virus Outbreak (COVID-19) and social isolation restrictions, many organisations are finding it impossible hold their AGM. For companies with a financial year end of 31 December, AGMs are generally required to be held by 31 May. However, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has relaxed this requirement. ASIC …
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Director identification numbers coming our way…

It has been discussed for some years now, but the Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2019 is finally before Parliament and in fact, is currently before the Senate. The aim of the Bill, in part, is to introduce director identification numbers and reduce phoenixing activity. Phoenxing activity occurs when, as the …
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Whistleblower legislation

NEW Law – Whistleblower legislation

On 13 November 2019, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released its updated regulatory guidelines on whistleblower policies and what it expects a policy to contain. ASIC requires that a whistleblower policy include: detail on who can make a disclosure both internally and externally; the types of wrongdoing that can be disclosed; details on …
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