Governance in Action

The Hidden Governance System: Why Management Committees Need Rules Too

Management committees can strengthen decision-making by bringing relevant expertise and challenge into important operational matters. But they can also create bureaucracy, delay decisions and obscure accountability. This article examines when management committees are worthwhile, how their authority should be defined, what the board needs to know, and the practical disciplines that help them work effectively. The central question is not how many committees an organisation has, but whether each committee improves decisions, manages risks and maintains clear responsibility for results.

10/31/2026

Proposed Reporting Threshold Changes: Implications for Australian Companies and Climate Reporting

The Australian Government has proposed significant increases to the financial thresholds used to classify large proprietary companies under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). From financial years commencing on or after 1 July 2027, the consolidated revenue threshold would double from $50 million to $100 million, while the consolidated gross assets threshold would increase from $25 million to $50 million. The employee threshold would remain unchanged. Although intended to reduce corporate reporting burdens, the proposals seem to have broader implications for Australia's mandatory climate-related financial disclosure regime. In particular, some entities previously expecting to commence Group 3 sustainability reporting in July 2027 may no longer meet the applicable reporting thresholds. Importantly, the potential consequences extend beyond proprietary companies to certain non-charitable public companies limited by guarantee. This Governance Briefing looks at the proposed changes, their interaction with the Corporations Act, and the practical implications for directors, company secretaries, CFOs and governance professionals.

10/30/2026

From Sustainability to Nature Reporting: What Australian Boards Need to Know

Nature reporting is emerging as the next important development in sustainability-related financial disclosure. The ISSB’s October 2026 Exposure Draft seeks more comparable information about financially material risks and opportunities arising from businesses’ interactions with nature. This article explains the international background, what is proposed, why it matters to different Australian industries and the important distinction between the proposed international guidance and Australia’s existing mandatory climate-reporting requirements. It concludes with proportionate questions for directors and governance professionals to consider without assuming that a new Australian obligation or commencement date has been announced.

10/28/2026

Related Articles

The Hidden Governance System: Why Management Committees Need Rules Too

Proposed Reporting Threshold Changes: Implications for Australian Companies and Climate Reporting

From Sustainability to Nature Reporting: What Australian Boards Need to Know