Gerry Harvey faces possible strike and spill

Original article by Sue Mitchell
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 24-Nov-15

The "two strikes" rule could be invoked at the 2015 annual meeting of retailer Harvey Norman, after more than 25 per cent of shareholders voted against its remuneration report in 2014. Executive chairman Gerry Harvey argues that the group’s executives are paid less than the bulk of companies that are of a comparable size. Harvey and the family of late co-founder Ian Norman have sufficient voting power to thwart a board spill if they choose to do so. Harvey traditionally does not vote on the remuneration report.

CORPORATES
HARVEY NORMAN HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX HVN, AUSTRALIAN SHAREHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION

BHP under pressure over Brazil disaster

Original article by Sally Rose, Steve Yolen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 18 : 16-Nov-15

BHP Billiton’s Australian-listed shares fell by 10.8 per cent in the week ended 13 November 2015, extending the stock’s losses since 1 July to around 25 per cent. The latest sell-off was prompted by the tailings dam disaster at the Samarco iron ore project in Brazil. Principles for Responsible Investment MD Fiona Reynolds argues that Samarco joint venture partners BHP and Vale should respond to the disaster by linking their executive remuneration to the safety records of their mining operations.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, VALE SA, SAMARCO MINERACAO SA, PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SUPERANNUATION INVESTORS INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIANSUPER PTY LTD, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX

NAB execs poorer by $44m

Original article by Richard Gluyas
The Australian – Page: 22 : 18-Nov-14

The 2013-14 annual report of National Australia Bank (NAB) shows that senior managers forfeited some $A44m worth of stock meant as incentive awards. The remuneration of departed CEO Cameron Clyne in his final year at the helm dropped from $A7.8m to $A6m, even when taking into account a "golden parachute" payment of $A1.7m. The lapsed equity in his case amounted to $A19.1m. The details follow the recent news that NAB’s cash profit had fallen by a tenth due to major provisioning charges

CORPORATES
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, BANK OF AMERICA AUSTRALIA LIMITED, MERRILL LYNCH (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

CBA slip to hit management pay

Original article by James Eyers
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 21 : 22-Oct-14

A new survey by Roy Morgan Research shows that the Commonwealth Bank’s overall customer satisfaction rating has fallen by one per cent to 81.1 per cent. Meanwhile, Westpac’s rating has risen by 1.1 per cent to 81 per cent. The Commonwealth Bank has also fallen further in Roy Morgan’s measure of customers’ satisfaction with their main financial institution, ranking behind Westpac and the ANZ Bank. The Roy Morgan customer satisfaction data is used in determining Commonwealth Bank executives’ long-term incentives

CORPORATES
COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL PLANNING LIMITED, FINANCIAL WISDOM LIMITED, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, DBM AUSTRALIA LIMITED, WEALTH INSIGHTS PTY LTD