Governance

Our Board

Mission Australia’s Board ensures compliance with the organisation’s vision, mission and objectives, and guides the development, execution and modification of the organisation’s strategy.

Mission Australia’s Constitution requires no less than six and no more than 12 Directors, who are Independent Non-Executive Directors. Our Board consists of nine Directors who bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly with regards to corporate stewardship.

They act voluntarily and receive no fees or remuneration for their services, but are compensated for costs incurred while fulfilling their duties.

The role of the Board is established by the Board Corporate Governance Charter. Our Board provides strategic direction; effective oversight of management; clarity over responsibility and accountability while establishing integrity by ensuring a balance of authority where no single individual has unfettered power.

Mission Australia Board of Directors
	Ewen Crouch BEc (Hons), LLB (Syd) President and Chairman of the Board Appointed President and Chairman in November 2009 and a Director since 1995, Ewen is Chairman of Partners at Allens Arthur Robinson. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Takeovers Panel, Chairman of Westpac Staff Superannuation Plan Pty Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
	Martin Watkins BEcon (Hons), CA, MIPC Vice President Appointed Vice President in 2001 and a a Director since 1996, Martin is a Chartered Accountant and Director of Richfield Consulting and Carbon Careers executive recruitment companies.
	Jennifer Lambert BBus, MEc, CA Appointed in 2005, Jennifer is Group Chief Financial Officer of Valad Property Group, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Non-Executive Director of Mosman Church of England Preparatory School.
	Prof Donald W Robertson BA (Crim), MA (Ed), Dip Env Studies Appointed in 1992, Donald was formerly an Associate Professor and Director at the University of Western Sydney, and is now a crime prevention consultant.
	Dr Karin Sowada PhD, BA (Hons), ANZIIF (Assoc)   Appointed in 2008, Karin is Chief Executive Officer of Anglican Deaconess Ministries Limited.
	Stephen Anson Appointed in 2007, Stephen has a background in leadership within the employment services and healthcare sectors. He is the Executive Chairman of an international website development company, Vortala Pty Ltd, which develops chiropractic and dental websites.
	Evelyn Horton BEc, MSocSc (Economics) Appointed in November 2011, Evelyn is an experienced risk manager, investment banker and Commonwealth Government economic policy adviser. She brings an appreciation of public policy imperatives and commercial drivers. Evelyn is Division Director, Risk Management, Macquarie Group and a member of the Australian Institute of Company.
	Nicholas S. Barnett BEC, ACA Appointed in 2008, Nicholas is co-founder and Director of Board Benchmarking and Gender Worx, Chairman of Ansvar Insurance Ltd and Insync Surveys Pty Ltd, and an ex-partner of KPMG.
	Grant Dempsey BComm  Appointed in 2009, Grant is Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at JP Morgan and is based in Melbourne.

Governance

Our Board endorses the Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations established by the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Council. Mission Australia is not a listed company, has no obligation to adopt these principles but does so as part of our commitment to good corporate governance and transparency.

An Internal Audit Charter sets out the authority, role and responsibility of Mission Australia’s internal audit activity. Internal audit independence is guaranteed via an additional reporting line to the Chair of the audit committee should it be required.

Mission Australia has a delegation of authorities system and a commitments policy that quantifies what is a Board matter and cascades responsibilities and accountabilities to appropriate levels within the organisation. The Board has several sub-committees that assist members to discharge their duties.

There is a Board Audit and Risk Committee Charter (BARC) that sets out the authority, roles and responsibilities of the committee. This committee provides oversight of external audit; internal audit; the ongoing financial position and performance of Mission Australia compared to approved budget; the working capital; the annual financial statements; risk management; and compliance with laws, contracts, policies and procedures.

BARC has three Board members and one member who is independent of the Board and Mission Australia management. Mission Australia has quality assurance functions and compliance mechanisms with a program of continuous improvement. A Strategic Risk Register was established in 2008 and is regularly updated.

• Mission Australia’s Risk Management Policy and Risk Management Framework integrate risk management principles and practices into standard management processes
• The Nominations Committee Charter establishes principles and processes for replenishment of appropriate skills and knowledge for the Board
• The Remunerations Committee provides oversight of management salary levels
• The Investment Committee Charter establishes independent oversight of short term and long term monetary investments
• A Code of Conduct applies to the Board, management and staff, specifying practices necessary to maintain confidence in Mission Australia’s integrity
• A Conflict of Interest Policy sets procedures to deal with real or perceived potential conflicts in loyalties.

Mission Australia also has a wide range of policies relating to harassment, bullying, and discrimination, among others.

• A Fraud and Dishonesty Policy deals with fraud and corruption control, prevention, detection and investigation, while our management Ethics Committee analyses and recommends solutions to ethical dilemmas confronting the organisation.

Mission Australia provides alternative reporting mechanism to an internal ombudsman-type function for serious complaints that have not been properly dealt with and for allegations of suspected wrongdoing.

• We provide an Integrity Line and our Whistleblower Policy has been favourably reviewed by the Deputy Ombudsman in NSW.

Read our Directors’ Report from page 48 in our 2011 Annual Report.