Benchmarking

Benchmarking Governance in Practice in Australia: fifth survey

If you are employed in a listed or other public company, the results of the fifth CSA survey on the practice of governance are a ‘must-have’.

This survey, first published in 2002 and then again in 2004, 2006 and 2008, allows you to benchmark your practices in the following key areas, among many others:

company secretariat functions
management of boards and their committees
shareholder communication, including the AGM
the scope of the governance role
the cost of governance.

Order your copy now and save 40 per cent:

CSA Member  $336 (was $560)
CSA Affiliate  $354 (was $590)
Non-member  $390 (was $650)

Email info@CSAust.com with your name and contact details or call
1800 251 849 or (02) 9223 5744 to register your order.

Benchmarking Governance Practice in Commercialised Government Entities in Australia
November 2009

CSA has published the report of the inaugural survey of commercialised government entities, that is, government-owned corporations (GOCs), government business enterprises (GBEs), state-owned corporations (SOCs) and government trading enterprises (GTEs). Commercialised government entities at both state and Commonwealth levels were surveyed.

The main finding of the survey of governance practice in Australian commercialised government entities is that adoption of the corporate form has not resulted in the clarity this form is intended to provide as to the roles of the various parties in the governance framework, that is, the shareholder (government); the board of directors (governing body); and management. A fundamental question is whether there is a sufficient break between government and the entity it creates. The findings suggest that corporatised bodies owned by the government cannot be termed successful from a corporate governance perspective, while such lack of clarity as to role definition exists.

This report looks at the core questions of the management of boards and their committees, governance documentation and disclosure and the function of the secretariat and asks:

Does the corporate form create distance from government so that the entity can focus on the business of the particular enterprise?
Does the shareholding government also function as a director?
Does the board create its own documentation to ensure its decisions are in the best interests of the organisation?
Is the board supported in its governing role?

Email us at info@CSAust.com if you would like a copy of the report.