ASIC Class Order [CO 04/663]

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2006B01656 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Corporations Act 2001 — Subsection 341(1) — Variation

 

Under subsection 341(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Act”) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission varies Class Order [CO 98/1418] as follows:

1. in the first paragraph (introductory words), omit “and regulation 2M.6.02 of the Corporations Regulations”;

2. omit the heading “Restrictions on the Entity and Holding Entity” appearing above paragraph (b), substitute “Restrictions on the Entity, Holding Entity and Trustee”;

3. insert after paragraph (d):

“(da) Except in relation to a Deed of Cross Guarantee lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004 — a company holds office as trustee under the Deed of Cross Guarantee;

(db) Except in relation to a Deed of Cross Guarantee lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004 — if the person holding office as trustee under the Deed of Cross Guarantee is a Group Entity within the meaning of that Deed, another person that is a company holds office as alternative trustee under that Deed;”;

4. at the end of subparagraph (l)(ii) add “and” and insert after that subparagraph:

“(iii) where the lodgement of a Deed referred to in paragraph (ii) occurs on or after 1 July 2004 — an original of a Certificate relating to that Deed is also lodged with ASIC;”;

5. in paragraph (m) omit “The Deed of Cross Guarantee”, substitute “Where the Deed of Cross Guarantee has been lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004, that Deed”;

6. omit subparagraph (o)(iv), substitute:

“(iv) The Entity paid to ASIC any fee due by the Entity in respect of the perusal of that evidence and in the case of a Deed of Cross Guarantee or an Assumption Deed lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004 — that Deed; and”;

7. omit subparagraph (s)(i), substitute:

“(i) an Assumption Deed contemplated by the Deed of Cross Guarantee and either:

(A) lodged with ASIC together with a Certificate relating to that Deed; or

(B) where the Assumption Deed is lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004approved by ASIC;”;

8. in subparagraph (s)(iii):

(a) omit “additional”, substitute “alternative”; and

(b) after “and” insert “where the variation is lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004 —”;

9. after the definition of “borrower in relation to debentures” under the heading “Interpretation” insert:

““Certificate” in relation to a Deed of Cross Guarantee or an Assumption Deed to which an Entity is a party, means one or more certificates in writing addressed to the Entity, the trustee and any alternative trustee under the Deed of Cross Guarantee and to ASIC which together include statements to the following effect:

(a) that the Deed:

(i) is in exactly the same terms as ASIC Pro Forma 24 or 27 as the case requires except for the following:

(A) all instructions for the inclusion of specified information have been replaced by that information in a complete and accurate manner and any consequential changes of a minor or editorial nature that are necessary for the effective operation of the deed have been made;

(B) execution clauses have been added, deleted, modified or varied as required in order to facilitate the proper execution of the deed;

(C) the date has been completed;

(D) the headnote, the headings before the headnote and any editorial note have been omitted;

(E) in the case of an Assumption Deed which covers more than one Entity — such variations as are necessary to enable the additional entities to be covered;

(F) in the case of an Assumption Deed which covers making the trustee of the Deed of Cross Guarantee to which the Assumption Deed relates a member of the Closed Group — such variations as are necessary to enable the Assumption Deed to have that effect;

(ii) has been properly executed by the parties to it; and

(iii) is binding on, and enforceable against the parties to it in accordance with its terms;


(b) that the Entity has satisfied all of its obligations under subsections 319(1) and (3) of the Act in relation to the 3 financial years before the first financial year for which the Entity seeks to take advantage of relief under this order; and

(c) that none of the auditor’s reports referred to in paragraph (b) are qualified;

where:

(d) the certificate referred to in paragraph (a) is given by a lawyer who holds a practising certificate; and

(e) the certificates referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) are given either by such a lawyer or a registered company auditor;”;

10. in the definition of “Deed of Cross Guarantee” under the heading “Interpretation”:

(a) omit paragraph (i), substitute:

“(i) is in exactly the same terms as ASIC Pro Forma 24 except for the following:

(A) all instructions for the inclusion of specified information have been replaced by that information in a complete and accurate manner and any consequential changes of a minor or editorial nature that are necessary for the effective operation of the deed have been made;

(B) execution clauses have been added as required in order to facilitate the proper execution of the deed;

(C) the date has been completed;

(D) the headnote, the headings before the headnote and any editorial note have been omitted;

(ia) in the case of a deed lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004 — is substantially in the form set out in ASIC Pro Forma 24 and which has been approved by ASIC under this order;”; and

(b) omit all the words after paragraph (iii), substitute:

“and includes such a deed as varied by:

(iv) an Assumption Deed contemplated by the Deed of Cross Guarantee and either:

(A) lodged with ASIC together with a Certificate relating to that Deed; or

(B) where the Assumption Deed is lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004approved by ASIC;

(v) a Revocation Deed contemplated by the Deed of Cross Guarantee;”; and

11. omit the definition of “financial services licensee” under the heading “Interpretation”.

Dated this 22nd day of June 2004

 

Signed by Brendan Byrne
as a delegate of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

Overview

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) was enacted to establish a framework for regulating corporations in Australia, with the objective of ensuring a fair and efficient capital market and protecting consumers. This Act addresses various gaps in corporate regulation, including the need for clear guidelines on corporate governance, disclosure requirements, and the rights and responsibilities of directors, officers, and shareholders. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia and outlines the functions and powers of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which is responsible for enforcing the Act and promoting compliance with corporate law. The policy objective of the Act is to maintain and enhance the integrity of Australia's financial system and to protect investors and consumers by ensuring that corporations comply with appropriate standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Scope and Application

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) exercises its powers under the Corporations Act 2001 to modify Class Order [CO 98/1418], thereby impacting entities involved in corporate structures and financial dealings regulated by ASIC. This legislative instrument applies to entities that hold office as trustees under Deeds of Cross Guarantee, specifically those lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004, and other associated companies acting as alternative trustees. The variation also affects the procedures and requirements for lodging Deeds of Cross Guarantee and related documents, such as Assumption Deeds and Certificates, with ASIC, particularly focusing on the compliance and documentation standards for these instruments. The changes outlined in the Act are designed to refine the regulatory framework governing the financial dealings and corporate governance of the entities involved, ensuring that they meet the specified legal and procedural requirements. This legislative amendment does not introduce new exclusions or exemptions but rather refines existing provisions to ensure clarity and compliance with the statutory obligations of the involved entities.

Key Provisions

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has varied Class Order [CO 98/1418] under subsection 341(1) of the Corporations Act 2001. This variation introduces significant changes to the requirements and definitions regarding Deeds of Cross Guarantee and Assumption Deeds, primarily focusing on certificates and the role of trustees. The first paragraph has been amended to remove references to regulation 2M.6.02 of the Corporations Regulations, and the heading for paragraph (b) has been changed from “Restrictions on the Entity and Holding Entity” to “Restrictions on the Entity, Holding Entity and Trustee.” New subparagraphs (da) and (db) have been added to clarify the conditions under which a company can hold office as trustee or alternative trustee under a Deed of Cross Guarantee. Additionally, subparagraph (l)(ii) has been modified to require the lodgement of an original Certificate relating to a Deed if it is submitted on or after 1 July 2004. Paragraph (m) has been updated to specify that certain references to the Deed of Cross Guarantee apply only if it was lodged with ASIC before 1 July 2004. The variation also modifies subparagraph (o)(iv) to include the payment of fees due by the entity in respect of the perusal of evidence, again with specific references to Deeds of Cross Guarantee and Assumption Deeds lodged before 1 July 2004. The obligations imposed by this variation on the parties governed by the Act are substantial and require careful compliance. Entities must ensure that any Deed of Cross Guarantee or Assumption Deed they lodge with ASIC is accompanied by the appropriate Certificate. This Certificate must be issued by a lawyer holding a practising certificate and must confirm that the Deed is in the correct format, has been properly executed, and is binding on the parties involved. Furthermore, for Deeds lodged on or after 1 July 2004, an original Certificate must be submitted alongside the Deed. Entities must also ensure that they have satisfied all their obligations under subsections 319(1) and (3) of the Act for the three financial years preceding the first financial year for which they seek relief under this order. Auditors' reports related to these obligations must be unqualified. Breach of the provisions outlined in this variation can lead to significant legal consequences. The Corporations Act 2001 imposes both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with its provisions. Civil penalties can include fines of up to $210,000 for individuals and significantly higher amounts for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, directors and officers of entities that fail to comply with the Act can face personal fines and disqualification from managing corporations. Criminal penalties, which can include imprisonment, are also applicable for more serious breaches, particularly those involving fraud or dishonesty. These penalties underscore the importance of strict compliance with the Act's requirements.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.