Underperforming and highly paid executives in corporate Australia will be breathing a temporary sigh of relief upon hearing of the resignation of Dean Paatsch from proxy adviser RiskMetrics.
RiskMetrics
Forget CEO pay, investment banks laughing all the way to the bank
During the Global Financial Crisis, when Australian companies clamored to raise precious capital to shore-up their balance sheets, investment bankers and their favoured institutional clients made out like bandits.
Frank Lowy and Max the Axe joust at Sydney AGMs
The mini AGM season officially finishes on Monday and there was a flurry of activity in Sydney yesterday, with Stephen Mayne running between the Westfield and MAP Group AGMs.
Proxy advisers need to draw the lean, er line, somewhere
The attacks on proxy advisers stepped up once more last week after two corporate partners from law-firm Mallesons penned an op-ed piece in the Financial Review.
Mayne: Why the judge should make further inquiries on Seven deal
Before approving the deal between Seven and Westrac, Justice Jacobson should establish precisely what has gone on between Stokes, independent fund managers and the independent directors who are meant to representing the non-Stokes Seven shareholders.
The rise of proxy advisers sparks interesting debate
The notion that boards have no incentive to overpay executives or that remuneration consultants are “independent” makes Alice in Wonderland look like a piece of non-fiction.
Shareholders miss out in CAMAC report
The Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee’s latest report on Schemes of Arrangement does little to strengthen the rights of minority shareholders, and is unlikely to upset many lawyers or bankers.
Termination payouts: government policy simply makes sense
The federal government introduced a Bill seeking to limit executive termination payments to one year’s fixed salary. But in a move that’s commercially, morally and politically indefensible, the Libs have opposed it.
The $62 million shareholders wasted on handshakes
A new report has revealed that some of Australia’s largest companies spent $62 million on needless termination payments last year — payments that could be blocked by shareholders if the Government’s proposed legislation regarding termination payments is approved.
Executive pay: global talent myth debunked
A research paper has rejected one of the great myths perpetuated by company directors — that Australian executives need to be paid millions of dollars to prevent them from leaving.
The ETS: our very own pig with lipstick
If the Government’s ETS will not provide the right signals and incentives for a shift to a low-carbon economy, then doing nothing or doing something else is the better option.
Outraged investors say enough to Shell’s remuneration plan
Shell shareholders are unhappy at the Board’s willingness to spend money on under-performing executives.
RiskMetrics loses its spine on Westfield pay
How on earth can RiskMetrics recommend in favour of the Westfield remuneration report at Wednesday’s AGM, asks Stephen Mayne?
Eddington’s ANZ appointment a corporate governance turning point
Sir Rod Eddington’s appointment as chairman of ANZ is shaping up as something of a turning point for corporate governance in Australia, writes Alan Kohler.
Teflon Rod could be cast asunder at Rio
Rio Tinto shareholders should send a message next week to Rod Eddington that repeated failures to act in their interests will not be tolerated.
QBE executes stunning CEO pay backflip
The former market darling has bowed to shareholder pressure and amended its departing chief’s retirement benefits, writes Adam Schwab.
Instos and proxy advisers MIA on Alumina lunch club
Alumina Ltd is Australia’s worst example of an overpaid, underworked old boys club, writes Stephen Mayne.
