Governance News 22 September 2021

45 minute read (PDF download)  22.09.2021 Mark Standen, Siobhan Doherty, Kate Hilder

This issue covers several significant ESG related developments including the release of ISS' analysis of key climate-related voting trends over the US proxy season and the proposed introduction of TCFD-aligned disclosure and board diversity disclosure requirements in Singapore.  The issue also includes coverage of key financial services, risk and regulatory developments and more… 

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Diversity Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Global report finds D&I remains a priority (even during the pandemic) but flags leadership accountability as an area for improvement

Shareholder Activism Navigation Show below Hide below

  • BHP board recommends shareholders vote in favour of the ACCR's lobbying resolution
  • AGL AGM: ASA to vote in support of ACCR shareholder climate resolution
  • Stepping up investor focus on the hitherto neglected chemical sector: $3.2tn group of investors to push for the sector to decarbonise
     

Institutional Shareholders and Stewardship Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Common ownership theory is no basis to justify reform? BlackRock and Vanguard's separate submissions to the common ownership inquiry question the need to change current settings
  • LPPI commits to net zero by 2050

Meetings and Proxy Advisers Navigation Show below Hide below

  • ISS analysis of the 2021 US proxy season confirms climate risk is a mainstream investor issue
  • As You Sow report highlights the extent to which the group stepped up engagement on a range of ESG issues in 2021

Disclosure and Reporting Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Singapore: Consultation on new board diversity and TCFD-aligned reporting requirements
  • GRI sector specific sustainability standard for mining planned for Q3 2023 release
  • Seven suggested principles to guard against unintentional greenwashing

Markets and Exchanges Navigation Show below Hide below

  • HKEX is seeking feedback on the possible introduction of a SPAC listing regime
  • SGX implements SPAC listing framework

Regulators Navigation Show below Hide below

  • A 'two way street': ASIC Chair Joe Longo says the advice industry needs to play a role in addressing current challenge
  • In Brief | ACCC Chair Rod Sims has been appointed as the new Vice Chair Digital Co-ordination and Asia-Pacific Liaison of the International Competition Network.  Mr Sims will focus on co-ordinating ICN projects and discussions about competition in the digital economy.  Mr Sims will also act as a liaison between the ICN Steering Group and ICN members in the Asia-Pacific region

Financial Services Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Top Story | Status update: Tracking progress against each of the Hayne Commission's 76 recommendations
  • Hayne implementation: Regulations finalised for the deferred sales model exemptions for add-on insurance
  • Hayne implementation: APRA clarifies its 'intended position' on proposed new independent certifications of insurance arrangements
  • Hayne implementation: FSC calls for amendments to the government's proposed CSLR
  • Consumer groups 'applaud' proposed changes to the UCT regime
  • Further ASIC guidance on complying with upcoming DDO obligations
  • ISA calls for the government to pay super on paid parental leave
  • APRA has released new FAQs to assist regulated entities to interpret Prudential Standard APS 120 Securitisation (APS 120)
  • The ICA has announced a range of measures to improve the accessibility and affordability of commercial insurance products for the SME sector
  • APRA registers Superannuation Data Transformation reporting standards
  • In Brief | In her address to the Association of Financial Advisers conference Senator Jane Hume said advisers should 'all hold your Financial Adviser Standards, registration, and Authorisation up like a badge of honour' and identified 'unauthorised advisers' (not finfluencers) as one of the 'biggest risks' to the advice sector because of their potential to undermine consumer trust
  • In Brief | The government has appointed Julie-Anne Schafer as a part-time board member of the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) for a three-year period.  Ms Schafer joins Mr Ian Carson (ARPC Chair), Ms Elaine Collins, Ms Maria Fernandez, Ms Robin Low and Mr Jan Van Der Schalk

Risk Management Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Top Story | Data's opportunities and risks for private health insurers
  • Unnecessary? The case against introducing a mandatory cybersecurity governance standard
  • ABA supports the extension of the AML/CTF regime to other sectors
  • In Brief | The ABA has launched a digital and radio campaign to raise public awareness of scam tactics and help people avoid losing money to financial scammers.  The campaign was prompted by new ABA data which found that 37% of Australians have lost money themselves or know someone who has lost money to scams.  The campaign is part of a wider ABA project focused on finding ways to better share information with law enforcement and on working with regulators and AFCA to ensure laws keep pace with evolving scams

Other News Navigation Show below Hide below

  • Consultation launched seeking views on potential options to streamline the way that that statutory declarations and deeds are executed

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