Q1. Australia is currently in the midst of an unprecedented deluge of takeovers that has contributed to listed entities on the ASX falling by 176 or 7.5% to 2,118 since June 2022, including 21 straight months of declines. There have already been 27 major takeovers above $200m completed so far this calendar year with another 10 deals and in the works. The ASX is losing long standing names such as CSR, Boral, Blackmores, Newcrest and Crown which have all disappeared over the past 3 years. There is a clear mis-pricing between public markets and private markets. Why are public markets not valuing ASX listed companies like ours more highly and what are we doing to avoid being gobbled up like so many other companies. Does the chair agree this is a problem for the nation, particularly with so few new floats replenishing the ASX ranks?
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q2. Did any of the 5 main proxy advisers - ACSI, Ownership Matters, Glass Lewis, ISS and ASA - issue a report ahead of this meeting which recommended a vote against any of today's resolutions, including on this rem report item? If so, what reasons did they give and will you disclose the proxy votes before the debate on each resolution so shareholders can ask questions about the reasons if there have been any protest votes? Please don't say they are confidential. It is standard for companies to be across this detail on the voting recommendations and inform shareholders where relevant without publishing the full proxy adviser reports, of course.
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q3. When disclosing the outcome of voting on all resolutions today, including Michael Alscher's re-election, could you please advise the ASX how many shareholders voted for and against each item, similar to what happens with a scheme of arrangement? This will provide a better gauge of retail shareholder sentiment on all resolutions and insight into the chronically low retail shareholder participation rate. Others have already blazed the trail as this was a voluntary disclosure initiative adopted by the likes of Qantas, ASX, Metcash, AUI, Webjet, Suncorp, Tabcorp and Myer in recent years. You've got the data, so why not let the sun shine in?
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter. They delivered with these results. Many thanks.
Q4. Given the interesting discussions across a range of topics today, could the chair undertake to make an archived copy of the webcast plus a full transcript of proceedings available on the company's website? Judges aren't told to go back back and watch video webcasts and politicians have Hansard which provides a full written record of proceedings. The likes of Nine, AGL, ASX, ANZ, Domino's, IAG, Lendlease and Woolworths all routinely produce transcripts. Will you follow suit today?
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q5. Could the CEO summarise her past LTI grants as to whether they have vested or lapsed. Also, has she ever sold any ordinary shares in the company or bought any on market without relying on an incentive scheme to build his equity position in the company? Please don't say look it up in the annual report and through ASX announcements. It's complicated and the CEO could factually summarise the situation in 60 seconds.
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q6. What has been the long term impact of the Big Four banks and AMP all getting out of the life insurance market. Are there any prospects that any of the big 4 banks could choose to get back in. Does the CEO believe it was a mistake of the banking sector to abandon this market and should they come back in to offer their customers a broader range of financial products?
Answer: The chair Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Copyright © 2024 The Mayne Report. All rights reserved