Overview

This unit examines the laws relating to corporate governance in Australia. It provides an introduction to the regulatory framework of corporate governance before focussing on the legal duties, responsibilities and powers of the key organs with a corporation: the company directors (board of directors); executive officers (management) and shareholders including the obligations that arise in the event of corporate insolvency. The discussion involves an examination of the role of the public regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, private litigation by shareholders and compliance within ASX listing rules and corporate governance principles and guidelines.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
HE Block 7
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
07-October-2024
17-November-2024
Last self-enrolment date
07-October-2024
Census date
18-October-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
01-November-2024
Results released date
17-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Critically analyse corporate governance, accountability and compliance in relation the role of the company director
  • Critically analyse the operation of the Australian legislative and regulatory frameworks as they relate to compliance and risk in context of the role of the company director
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of corporate governance and directors’ duties and critically evaluate existing legal theories, principles and concepts
  • Critically examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to corporate governance and directors’ duties
  • Proficiently communicate corporate governance principles and their application in industry contexts to a range of audiences and function cohesively as an effective leader or member of a group

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Individual 10 - 20% 1,2,3 
Assignment 2Individual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4 
Assignment 3Group 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

  • The concept of corporate governance
  • Overview of the current framework of corporate governance and the duties of directors and other officers
  • Who is subject to duties?
  • To whom are duties owed?
  • Duties to act with care and diligence, in the best interests of the company, and for a proper purpose
  • Duty to avoid conflicts of interest
  • Corporate opportunities and related party transactions
  • Role of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in enforcing directors’ duties
  • Role of shareholders in corporate governance
  • Preventing insolvent trading
  • Role of industry corporate governance guidelines and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.