News
Media comment, updates and analysis from the ACCR team.
Media release
Woodside climate targets: uninspiring business as usual
Woodside’s newly announced climate targets are a disappointment to the investor community, demonstrating that the existing Board and Executive are simply not capable of delivering a transition consistent with limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees celsius.
Media release
Origin AGM: transparency on Indigenous consent and climate lobbying must improve
Origin Energy cannot continue to ignore investor concerns on the consent of Indigenous communities and lobbying.
Media release
BHP: investors remain focused on lobby groups
“With this vote, investors have demonstrated to BHP that they remain focused on the impact of its industry associations on both Australian democracy and on climate action.”
Media release
BHP resolution withdrawn: First Nations Alliance reaches outcome with BHP
“The measures the First Nations Alliance have secured with BHP could not have happened without the interest of the investment sector and the communication of their expectations about companies’ cultural heritage management.”
Briefing note
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Origin Energy on FPIC and lobbying
Read the background and reasoning behind upcoming shareholder resolutions to Origin Energy on consent and fracking, and lobbying relating to COVID-19 Recovery
Media release
BHP dumps QRC; Origin and Santos should do the same
“BHP has proven the value of ACCR’s shareholder resolution—some industry associations simply won’t change unless there are financial consequences”.
Media release
AGL AGM: Blackrock support demonstrates Australian investors lag foreign peers
“Blackrock’s support for this resolution embarrasses Australian super funds and asset managers who voted against the resolution.”
Santos, Narrabri
Narrabri gas project: investors now last line of defence
The proposed Narrabri fracking project will imperil Australia’s commitments to the Paris Agreement and its high cost of production will likely see it stranded before the reserves are exhausted.
Briefing note
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to BHP Group on cultural heritage and lobbying
Read the background and reasoning behind upcoming shareholder resolutions to BHP Group on cultural heritage protection and on lobbying relating to COVID-19 Recovery, and ACCR's recommendation that shareholders vote against the re-election of BHP board member Malcolm Broomhead.
Media release
FMG rejects ACCR shareholder resolution: courier delayed by COVID related issues
"That FMG is using the pandemic to their advantage is reprehensible; that they are doing this to avoid shareholder scrutiny of their relationships with Aboriginal Traditional Owners begs the question, what are they hiding?”
Media release
Gas lobby secures taxpayer funding from Federal government for a failing industry
“The Federal government may have finally given up on thermal coal but the carbon lobby won’t be deterred, by pushing gas, another dirty fossil fuel - which is proven to have the same, if not worse emissions than coal once fugitive methane emissions are factored in.”
COVID-19
Human Capital Management (HCM) and COVID-19: Engagement in the 2020 AGM season
This guide draws on lessons learnt from the 2020 US and UK AGM seasons, and analysis of workplace transmission in frontline industries, to provide guidance on how to ensure that companies protect workers in the short term and properly manage their human capital and enhance value creation in the long term.
Media release
Rio Tinto takes the first step to recovery
ACCR has welcomed the exit of Rio CEO, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, head of Corporate Relations Simone Niven and Head of Iron Ore Chris Salisbury, but remains concerned at the lack of cultural understanding displayed by the company and its board — specifically in the length of time it took to address this destruction of heritage.
Media release
FMG resolution calls for moratorium on desecration of Indigenous sites and cease gag orders on traditional owners
Investors simply can’t stand by and watch another Juukan Gorge disaster unfold.
Media release
BHP: not good enough; try harder
“Despite promising the world, BHP fails to deliver any meaningful outcomes in terms of actual emissions reduction. It needs to try harder. BHP should be aiming for a 40-60% reduction in all of its emissions by 2030.”
Shareholder Resolution
ACCR Shareholder Resolutions to Fortescue Metals Group Ltd on Cultural Heritage
ACCR has filed Shareholder Resolutions to Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) requesting the a moratorium on the damage, removal or destruction of cultural heritage sites until laws are strengthened, and the remove gag orders on traditional owners.
Media release
BHP must commit to cutting fossil fuel production
Media release
Renewable energy good for BHP, but not for everyone else
“BHP’s commitment to renewable energy is welcome. However, while BHP continues to expand fossil fuel production and its own lobby groups remain critical of renewable energy, this announcement is simply more greenwashing from the best in the business.”
modern slavery
Modern Slavery, Subcontracting and Commercial Cleaning
In 2020, ACCR launched a program of work that looked at material risks associated with various forms of indirect employment: labour hire, contracting and subcontracting. The commercial cleaning sector was identified as a sector where subcontracting is rife, and the risks associated with indirect employment are high.
Briefing note
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to AGL Energy Ltd on coal closure dates
Shareholders request that our company align the closure dates of the Bayswater and Loy Yang A coal-fired power stations with a strategy to limit the increase in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Media release
BHP, Origin Energy, Santos & Woodside aiming to destroy the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
BHP, Origin Energy, Santos and Woodside are behind efforts to dirty up the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) by allowing it to invest in gas projects.
Media release
Woolworths: Wage debt now a third of company's profits
“The figure raises significant questions about internal governance at Woolworths, which continues to refer to the breach as an ‘inadvertent underpayment’.”
Article
David Murray lacks 2020 board vision
The former AMP chair did not accept the ESG demands that are now essential to shareholder value.
modern slavery
Ansell rakes in cash but no assurances against modern slavery
While the COVID-19 pandemic has buoyed Australian manufacturing company Ansell, which announced a jump in profits today, it has apparently also halted the company's third-party auditing processes, which flag instances of modern slavery.
Media release
Rio board review: financial penalties completely off the mark of damage caused; CEO must go
“Rio Tinto’s board review is highly disappointing. It amounts to little more than a public relations exercise that still attempts to blame the PKKP; previous Rio Tinto administrations; and anyone else, rather than the company’s current senior management.”
Decent work and COVID-19
Hotel Quarantine Inquiry: Appalling testimony - profits ahead of safety yet again
Evidence heard at Victoria's COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry today has further underscored the risks involved in the contracting of private security services. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) is calling on investors and companies to urgently review the use of subcontractors in high risk, front line sectors during the pandemic.
Media release
David Murray’s rejection of ESG risk finally catches up with him—and AMP
“It’s abundantly clear that Murray and those who share his views have no place as Directors, much less Chairs, of any listed companies.”
Shareholder Resolution
ACCR Shareholder Resolutions to Origin Energy on lobbying and consent for fracking
ACCR's Shareholder Resolution to Origin Energy calls on the company to establish an independent review of consent processes with Aboriginal Native Title holders, and to review the climate lobbying of its industry associations.
Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery and Horticulture Supply Chains
ACCR has engaged Coles (COL) and Woolworths (WOW) on Modern Slavery and labour exploitation in their horticultural supply chains since 2017. Engagement is ongoing through 2020, with COVID-19 posing significant new challenges and risks to workers’ in these supply chains.
BHP
BHP backs away from Kyoto credits, issues new guidelines for lobby groups
Now that Australia’s two largest miners, BHP and Rio Tinto, no longer support Kyoto carryover credits, the Business Council of Australia and the Minerals Council of Australia must withdraw their support too.
Media release
AGL’s battery investment: excellent step; now repeat
AGL’s planned investment in batteries is welcome, but the strongest signal it could possibly send to the rest of the market right now, is to bring forward the closure dates of Bayswater and Loy Yang A.
Fortescue Metals Group
Calling all Fortescue Metals Group Shareholders
If you hold FMG shares, please consider registering as a shareholder with ACCR to support this important work to protect cultural heritage.
Media release
BHP resolution: moratorium on desecration of Indigenous sites and cease gag orders on traditional owners
“Investors simply can’t stand by and allow another Juukan Gorge disaster to take place.”
Media release
BHP Resolution: cease lobbying efforts on COVID-19 recovery which are inconsistent with Paris targets
“The advocacy by key BHP industry associations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been fundamentally at odds with the Paris Agreement’s goals”
Shareholder Resolution
ACCR Shareholder Resolutions to BHP on cultural heritage and lobbying
ACCR has filed Shareholder Resolutions to BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) requesting the a moratorium on the damage, removal or destruction of cultural heritage sites until laws are strengthened, remove gag orders on traditional owners and cease lobbying efforts on COVID-19 recovery which are inconsistent with Paris targets.
Shareholder Resolution
ACCR Shareholder Resolution to AGL Energy Ltd on closure dates of Bayswater and Loy Yang A coal-fired power stations
ACCR Shareholder Resolution and supporting statements to AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL), requesting the company bring forward the closure dates of its Bayswater and Loy Yang A coal-fired power stations.
AGL Energy
AGL on a collision course with Paris targets and investors
COVID-19, Santos
Plans for fossil fuel-led recovery are outright dangerous
Decent work and COVID-19
Inghams’ COVID cases unsurprising
ACCR is calling on investors of Australian meat processing companies to actively and urgently engage with them over the issue of workplace health and safety, following more Covid-19 clusters at meat processing facilities in Victoria.
Origin Energy, Woodside
Woodside, Origin writedowns: harbinger of oil and gas industry woes
Subcontracting
Broken chains of responsibility: Victorian COVID-19 clusters reveal subcontracting risks
Subcontracting
Profits ahead of safety yet again - subcontractors with minimal training guarding Melbourne quarantine hotels
AGL Energy
Nothing new: AGL’s latest climate statement is same old, same old
Minerals Council of Australia
MCA Climate Action Plan a delay tactic with no detail or tangible actions
Glencore
Glencore making a mockery of its coal commitment
Tax
Minerals Council members dodge headline company tax rate
New analysis shows that members of the Minerals Council of Australia regularly avoid the highest company tax rate.
COVID-19
Gas industry has its claws in the recovery commission
Event
Free Webinar: How to use your position as a shareholder to change corporate behaviour - Wednesday May 27th, 5pm AEST
COVID-19
Private Prisons, Immigration Detention and COVID-19
Norwegian Government Pension Fund
Investment giant excludes AGL over coal, puts BHP ‘under observation’
Woodside Petroleum
Woodside shareholders slam climate inaction
Border Industrial Complex
Big tech involvement in Covidsafe app warrants further scrutiny
Decent work and COVID-19
Decent Work during COVID: The Role for Investors
COVID-19 is a whole-of-economy crisis that requires a whole-of-economy response. While governments are leading with stimulus, there is a role for investors in ensuring that companies adhere to strong social, labour rights and human rights standards. The COVID crisis is an opportunity for investors to fortify their engagement on the “S”in ESG.
Santos AGM
Santos shareholders repudiate board’s climate direction in world first vote
Media release
Rio Tinto rebukes MCA on thermal coal, does not support use of Kyoto carryover credits, but keeps funding climate wreckers
Covid-19
Airline workers must share in industry stimulus package to Qantas, Virgin, Regional Airlines
Border Industrial Complex
Corporate complicity in immigration detention heightens risk during public health crisis
Rio Tinto
ACCR garners commitment from Rio Tinto on climate-related lobbying
Aged care crisis
Covid-19 exacerbates Aged Care crisis
Woodside
Woodside to face investor pressure on expansion plans, lobbying and propaganda
Coles, Wesfarmers underpayments
Coles, Wesfarmers underpayments point to widespread governance failure
Super fund voting
Vote Like You Mean It Preliminary Report 2020
Super fund voting
Super Funds Failing To Step Up On Climate
Siemens Adani
Investors should ratchet up pressure on Siemens over Adani deal
BHP
ACCR response to BHP lobbying review
BHP
Mike Henry’s proximity to climate wreckers should concern investors
Coles
Coles AGM: Company urged to address Modern Slavery
BHP
BHP AGM: Australian investors take a stand on anti-climate lobbying
Woolworths
Woolworths underpayments a warning for governance of broader supply chains
Qantas
Qantas asylum seekers resolution — largest ever vote against a board on human rights issues
Qantas
Qantas board to face shareholders and experts on deportations and transfers to danger
ANZ & NAB
Big banks must stop funding lobbying against climate policy
BHP
BHP investors declare time’s up on anti-climate lobbying
AGL
AGL Energy AGM: Australian investors lagging on pollution
BHP
BHP under pressure on climate lobbying
Coles
ACCR files worker exploitation resolution with Coles
Qantas
Biloela family deportation facilitated by commercial entities profiting from human rights abuses
Qantas
International investor backs Qantas human rights resolution
Origin
ACCR files five shareholder resolutions with Origin
Border Industrial Complex
Aust PR company snubs international law in response to refugee abuse
Aged Care
QLD legislation recognises the importance of Aged Care workforce in providing quality care
Supply chain exploitation
ACCR: NUW report shows supermarkets must do more to manage exploitation in farm supply chains
Border Industrial Complex
Mercer PR ruling a warning to companies linked to refugee policy
Workforce Disclosure Report
ASX 100 failing to disclose workforce
Proxy Voting Report
New ACCR report finds growing support for shareholder proposals
Sigma
Unanswered questions over supply safety risks in Sigma’s supply chain
Santos
Santos challenged on climate at AGM
Telstra
Telstra to scrutinise Business Council's 'Climate Policy Obstruction'
Equinor
Equinor poised to pressure lobbyists undermining climate action
Gas
Labor ‘captured’ by gas industry
Media release
Rio Tinto Industry Association commitment
Shell
Media comment: Shell’s industry association review fails Australia
Social Risk Report
New ACCR report finds decent work crucial to security of prescription drug supply
Franchising Report
Franchising report: investors must hold franchising companies accountable for widespread wage theft
EPA
Climate villains victorious in WA
Santos and Woodside
ACCR files shareholder resolutions to Santos and Woodside
Santos
Santos Climate Change Report 2019: reduce emissions by burning more gas
Glencore
Glencore declares ‘peak coal’
Rocky Hill coal mine
On the landmark Rocky Hill mine decision
Banking Royal Commission
Banking Royal Commission: regulators must overcome ‘catastrophic impotence’
NAB
Ken Henry calls out Business Council on climate; refuses to rule out Bight oil and gas projects
IPCC
Investors call for Australia to close coal power by 2030
BHP
Has BHP Chosen Coal Over Coral?
NAB
NAB commits to reviewing lobby's role in climate and energy
Origin
Origin Energy AGM: record 46% vote slams anti-climate lobby
Westpac
Westpac to scrutinise Business Council of Australia’s climate lobbying
IPCC
ACCR to increase shareholder activism after IPCC report
ASIC
ASIC report proves investors must step up on climate risk
Origin
Shareholders challenge Origin consent under UN principles
Qantas
Airlines at risk of engaging in human rights abuses as more asylum seekers and refugees await removal to Sri Lanka
Qantas
Qantas responds to deportations to danger - out of step with investors and international law
Qantas
Qantas to face shareholders at AGM - deportations to danger
Qantas
ACCR to file shareholder resolution calling on Qantas to end deportations to danger
Qantas
Shareholder action under consideration over Qantas’ position on asylum and refugee deportation
Gender Report
Gender pay equity: ASX 100 companies rated
Minerals Council of Australia
Minerals Council’s coal projections at odds with Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement
Investors have a key role to play in the energy debate
Media release
Rio Tinto: 18% vote against coal lobby
Rio Tinto
Shareholder revolt at Rio Tinto’s London AGM over “outright climate hypocrisy”
BHP
BHP to remain in the US Chamber of Commerce
BHP
BHP risks investor blowback through association with Canavan’s fossil fuels-friendly taskforce
Media release
Response to MCA’s updated energy policy
Media release
Rio Tinto decision not to allow the resolution to be heard at the UK AGM
Rio Tinto
Global investors worth AU$84 billion line up against coal lobbying: Rio resolution
Minerals Council of Australia
BHP and MCA at loggerheads on coal, again
BHP
ACCR's lines on BHP review
BHP
The Minerals Council of Australia strikes again – kills off Clean Energy Target in Australia
BHP
Minerals Council membership on the chopping block at BHP AGM tomorrow
BHP
BHP’s millions for Minerals Council speak louder than words
BHP
BHP AGM: UK investors face-to-face with Australia’s ‘decade of climate and energy policy chaos’
BHP
$430 billion CalPERS to support BHP shareholder resolution at UK AGM
Minerals Council of Australia
Brendan Pearson's resignation as CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia
BHP
BHP shareholder resolution requests end to relationship with Minerals Council of Australia
BHP
BHP responds to shareholder concerns about the Minerals Council of Australia
