SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BUSINESS – AUSTRALIA

BHP green push all about profit

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Original article by Nick Evans
The Australian – Page: 17 & 20 : 9-Oct-19

BHP’s head of external affairs Geoff Healy has told investors in London that embracing social and environmental issues is "good business". He argued that demonstrating a commitment to such causes is essential for mining companies, to ensure that they can both secure the rights to new deposits and retain control of existing projects. Healy says BHP believes that its commitment to social value was a key factor in securing a stake in Mexico’s Trion oil field.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, AUSTRALIANSUPER PTY LTD, INVESTOR GROUP ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Digging deeper

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Original article by Peter Ker, William McInnes
The Australian Financial Review Boss – Page: 16-21 : 9-Aug-19

BHP has taken a stronger stance on social and environmental issues such as gender diversity and climate policy under current CEO Andrew Mackenzie. He has also been outspoken on policies such as company tax cuts, free trade and Indigenous rights. Mackenzie believes that companies should take a stance on issues that are likely to have a major impact on them, as well as issues that could have a negative impact if they are not adequately addressed. He recently told an annual investor summit that contributing to the communities in which BHP operates is one of the ways in which it create value for shareholders.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP

Paradice mulls responsible investor fund

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Original article by John Stensholt
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 26 : 13-Jun-17

Paradice Investment Management’s David Paradice says his company is considering setting up a number of new funds over the next year. He says they could include an emerging markets fund and an environmental, social and governance fund. Paradice, who is currently based in the US, was the recipient of an Order of Australia award as part of the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours. He says he would like to see companies focus more on making communities better, as well as treating their staff better and reducing waste.

CORPORATES
PARADICE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, ALPHABET INCORPORATED, FACEBOOK INCORPORATED, GOOGLE INCORPORATED, AMAZON.COM INCORPORATED, CLIMATE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, SOCIAL VENTURES AUSTRALIA LIMITED, TARONGA CONSERVATION SOCIETY AUSTRALIA

CEOs warn: bashing banks a growth risk

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Original article by Phillip Coorey, James Eyers
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 5-Aug-16

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison have been asked to refrain from criticising the banks. Westpac CEO Brian Hartzer said on 4 August 2016 that their criticism is unwarranted. He stated that the banks could not pass on the recent official interest rate cut in full because of the necessity to balance the interests of borrowers with the need for prudent management of their funding needs. Turnbull reminded the banks that they have an obligation to act in socially responsible ways.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN BANKERS’ ASSOCIATION, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY

Super funds push for more ESG disclosure

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Original article by Ruth Liew
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 22 : 3-Mar-16

Australian-listed companies are under pressure to report more thoroughly their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. On 2 March 2016, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) and the Financial Services Council launched a new guide on corporate disclosure of ESG information to shareholders. Research by ACSI suggests that the ESG disclosure practices of ASX 200 companies are inadequate.

CORPORATES
FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SUPERANNUATION INVESTORS INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Socially responsible investing demands rigour, says adviser

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Original article by Jemima Whyte
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 12 : 30-Oct-14

The socially responsible investment industry in Australia is less mature than the same sector in the US. Alexandra P Cart, co-founder of US impact investment advisory firm Madeira Capital, says more accountability is needed in the sector. Metrics must also be improved. Impact investing recently attracted public attention after the Australian National University opted for the removal of several mining companies from its investment fund

CORPORATES
MADEIRA GLOBAL LLC, JP MORGAN AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, PHILANTHROPY AUSTRALIA, OIL SEARCH LIMITED – ASX OSH, SANTOS LIMITED – ASX STO

BHP’s $20m gift

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Original article by Phoebe Wearne
The West Australian – Page: 1 : 24-Oct-14

Resources giant BHP Billiton will donate $A4m to Western Australia’s annual Telethon, which will be held on the weekend of 25-26 October 2014. In total, BHP will donate $A20m to the Telethon Kids Institute over a five-year period. The mining group’s philanthopy has been praised by Institute director Jonathan Carapetis and Channel 7 Telethon Trust chairman Kerry Stokes

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, TELETHON KIDS INSTITUTE, TELETHON INSTITUTE FOR CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM