Member discussion group: Governance reforms alert

Our discussion groups are an informal round-table exchange of ideas, advice and information. This discussion group focuses on the governance reforms alert.

In its final days, the Morrison government appears to be trying to make up for the paralysis of the last few months. It is attempting to push a lot of legislation through parliament that will have a big effect on corporate governance in this country. The long overdue reforms to whistle-blower protection laws have finally arrived, but have been amended in the Senate. At least some parts of the government’s anti-phoenixing legislation will probably become law — creating new and onerous obligations for directors of distressed companies. Directors, generally, will be affected by substantial increases to punishments and penalties under the Corporations Act and ASIC Act. The final shape of these reforms is emerging day by day. This boardroom briefing will examine what these new laws will mean for company directors and officers, and their advisers, and what you need to be doing about them now.

You should attend if you are a:
- company secretary
- governance, risk or compliance professional

This discussion group aims to connect attendees with colleagues working in their field of interest or responsibility. The discussion group is complimentary for members. However, registration is essential.

Speaker: Tom Darbyshire, Partner, Kott Gunning Lawyers
Tom specialises in matters arising out of the Corporations Act — particularly in relation to directors’ duties, corporate governance and insolvency and also advises liquidators, secured and unsecured creditors and businesses on all aspects of insolvency and reconstruction. He has acted in, advised on, and written about board disputes, recovery actions by external administrators and bankruptcy trustees, directors’ duties in an insolvency context, and fiduciary duties of office holders. Tom is a professional member of the Australian Reconstruction and Insolvency and Turnaround Association.

Sponsor: Kott Gunning Lawyers