ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374]

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F2006B01565 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374]

Nomination of a related body corporate as the proposed responsible entity

This instrument has effect under paragraph 601QA(1)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001.

This compilation was prepared on 1 September 2005 taking into account amendments up to [CO 00/1067].

Prepared by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

 

Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Corporations Law — Paragraph 601QA(1)(b) — Declaration

Pursuant to paragraph  601QA(1)(b) of the Corporations Law (Law) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) hereby declares that the provisions of Division 11 of Part 11.2 of the Law apply in relation to the persons mentioned in Schedule A as if those provisions were modified or varied as follows:

1 Delete the full stop and add “; or” at the end of paragraph  1456(1)(b) and add a new paragraph  1456(1)(c) as follows:

“(c) nominate as the proposed responsible entity a  related body corporate of the body that has given its consent in writing to the nomination.”

2 Add a new subsection  1456(1A) as follows:

“1456(1A) If the body decides to make a nomination under paragraph 1456(1)(c) and the nominee does not become a nominee to which paragraph 1460(1)(c) applies within 3 months of the notice being lodged, the body must within that 3 month period decide either to:

(a) retire from the office it holds; or

(b) lodge a registration application in relation to the undertaking naming itself as the proposed responsible entity.

The body must lodge a notice of its decision with ASIC.”

3 Add a new subsection  1456(2A) as follows:

“1456(2A) If the body decides to make a nomination:

(a) the body must give holders of the prescribed interests notice of the proposal to appoint the nominee as the proposed responsible entity and at least 21 days from the date the notice is sent to request a vote on the nominee being the proposed responsible entity unless the body arranges for a postal vote or convenes a meeting in accordance with paragraph (d) as soon as practicable after the notice is lodged under subsection  1456(1);

(b) the notice to holders of the prescribed interests must:

(i) contain the information about the choice of the nominee that would be required under paragraph  7.12.15(1)(g) of the Regulations of the old Law if the notice were a notice of a meeting to consider that choice;

(ii) state prominently that if:

(A) holders of the prescribed interests who together hold at least 5% of the total value of the interests held by holders; or

(B) 100 holders of the prescribed interests,

who would be entitled to vote if the proposal were put to a meeting under paragraph 1456(2)(b) ask for a vote on the choice of the nominee as the proposed responsible entity by giving written notice received by the body within 21 days from the date the notice is sent, the body will arrange a postal vote or convene a meeting to vote; 

(iii) be accompanied by a form which can be ticked to ask for a vote; and

(iv) state prominently a reply paid address of the body to which the form may be sent.

(c) The body must arrange for a postal vote or, if the body chooses, convene a meeting to vote if required in accordance with the notice as soon as practicable.

(d) The body may arrange for a postal vote or, if the body chooses, convene a meeting to vote on the choice of the nominee as the proposed responsible entity.

(e) If there is a postal vote under paragraph (c) or (d):

(i) a voting paper must be sent to each holder of the prescribed interests which states a reply paid address of the body to which the voting paper may be sent;

(ii) the body must notify the holders of the prescribed interests in, or in a document accompanying, the voting paper that:

(A) the nominee will be the proposed responsible entity if the nominee is chosen as the proposed responsible entity by votes received by the body by holders of prescribed interests that would be eligible to vote at a meeting under paragraph 1456(2)(b) holding a majority in value (as determined in accordance with subsection 1069A(5) of the old Law) of all the holders of the prescribed interests that would be eligible to vote at such a meeting; and

(B) only votes received by the body within 28 days after the issue of the voting paper will be counted.

(f) If there is a postal vote under paragraph (d), the voting paper must be accompanied by a notice that would have complied with the covenant required by paragraph 7.12.15(1)(g) of the Regulations of the old Law if the proposal were put as a proposed resolution to a meeting of holders of the prescribed interests.”

4 Delete the full stop and add “; or” at the end of paragraph 1460(1)(b) and add a new paragraph 1460(1)(c) as follows:

“(c) a body that is a nominee under paragraph 1456(1)(c) if:

(i) the management company or trustee or representative, as the case may be, that nominated the nominee has complied with paragraphs 1456(2A)(a) and (b) in relation to the nomination and a vote was not required by paragraph  1456(2A)(c); or

(ii) the nominee has been chosen as the proposed responsible entity:

(A) by a postal vote in accordance with a notification made under subparagraph  1456(2A)(e)(ii);

(B) at a meeting convened under paragraph 1456(2A)(c) or (d);

and the management company or the trustee or representative, as the case may be, has lodged with ASIC a notice of the choice.”

5 In section 1461 add:

(a) “, 1456(2A)(c),  1456(2A)(d)” after “ 1456(2)(b)”; and

(b) “except that at a meeting under paragraph 1456(2A)(c) or (d), paragraphs 1069A(2)(c) and (d) do not apply and a nominee may be chosen as the proposed responsible entity by holders of a majority in value of all the prescribed interests that being eligible to vote at the meeting do vote (whether in person or by proxy) on the choice” at the end of the section.

SCHEDULE A

Any person that is:

(a) the management company;

(b) the trustee or representative;

(c) any body corporate nominated by either of them to be the proposed responsible entity under  section 1460 of the Law; or

(d) a holder of prescribed interests,

in relation to any undertaking (other than a common fund) to which Division 11 of Part 11.2 of the Law applies other than a person to which ASIC Class Order [98/59], [98/1807] or [00/4] applies.

Notes to ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374]

Note 1

ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374] (in force under paragraph 601QA(1)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001) as shown in this compilation comprises that Class Order amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Instruments

Instrument number

Date of making or FRLI registration

Date of commencement

Application, saving or transitional provisions

[CO 99/374]

9/4/1999

9/4/1999

-

[CO 00/4]

2/2/2000

2/2/2000

-

[CO 00/1067]

25/5/2000

25/5/2000

-

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Introductory para

am. [CO 00/4]

Schedule A

am. [CO 00/4]; [CO 00/1067]

 

 

Overview

The ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374] was enacted in 1999 and has been subject to subsequent amendments, most recently in 2000. This legislative instrument is made under the authority of paragraph 601QA(1)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001. The primary objective of this Class Order is to address the procedural requirements for nominating a related body corporate as the proposed responsible entity for certain types of undertakings. The enacting body is the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The policy objective is to ensure transparency and accountability in the nomination process by providing clear guidelines and requirements for the nomination and approval of a responsible entity, particularly when that entity is related to the body making the nomination. The Class Order sets out specific procedures for notifying and voting among holders of prescribed interests, ensuring that the nomination process is fair and well-communicated.

Scope and Application

ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374] applies to specific entities involved in the nomination of a related body corporate as a proposed responsible entity for certain undertakings, including management companies, trustees, representatives, and holders of prescribed interests in relation to undertakings governed by Division 11 of Part 11.2 of the Corporations Act 2001. The Order modifies the Corporations Act to allow the nomination of a related body corporate, provided it has written consent from the consenting body, and outlines the steps these entities must take if the nominee does not become eligible within three months. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it is administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under the Commonwealth Corporations Act. The Order also specifies the procedures for notifying and obtaining votes from holders of prescribed interests, detailing requirements for postal votes and meetings. This Class Order does not apply to entities covered by other ASIC Class Orders such as [98/59], [98/1807], or [00/4]. The application and effect of the Order can be further refined or extended through subsequent amendments or related legislative instruments.

Key Provisions

ASIC Class Order [CO 99/374] introduces significant changes to the Corporations Act 2001, particularly in relation to the nomination of a related body corporate as a proposed responsible entity. Under section 1456(1)(b) of the Act, a related body corporate can now be nominated as the proposed responsible entity, provided that the body that gave its consent to the nomination does so in writing. This addition is crucial for entities seeking to streamline their governance structures by allowing related bodies corporate to take on this role. Additionally, if a nomination is made under this new provision and the nominee does not become eligible within three months, the body must either retire from office or lodge a registration application with ASIC naming itself as the proposed responsible entity (section 1456(1A)). The obligations imposed on the parties by this Class Order are extensive. If a body decides to make a nomination under the new provision, it must notify holders of prescribed interests of the proposal to appoint the nominee as the proposed responsible entity and request a vote on the nominee (section 1456(2A)(a)). The notice must include specific information about the nominee, such as the details that would be required if the notice were a notice of a meeting to consider that choice, and must be accompanied by a form for requesting a vote (section 1456(2A)(b)). Furthermore, if holders of prescribed interests who together hold at least 5% of the total value of the interests, or 100 holders, request a vote within 21 days, the body must arrange for a postal vote or convene a meeting to vote on the nominee (section 1456(2A)(c)). The body must also ensure that voting papers are sent to each holder of prescribed interests, stating the reply paid address to which the voting paper may be sent and notifying holders that only votes received within 28 days will be counted (section 1456(2A)(e)). Failure to comply with the provisions of this Class Order can lead to significant consequences. While the Class Order does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Corporations Act 2001, which this Class Order amends, can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines of up to $210,000 for individuals and substantially higher amounts for corporations, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment for up to five years for individuals found guilty of serious offences under the Act. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and circumstances of the breach, as outlined in the relevant sections of the Corporations Act 2001.

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