Mission Australia

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. Board members’ knowledge of Mission Australia is maintained by regular visits to operations, management presentations and through access to continuing education programs.

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 AM BEc (Hons), LLB (Syd) President and Chairman of the Board Appointed President and Chairman in November 2009 and a Director since 1995, Ewen is a Consultant at Allens, one of Australia's leading law firms. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Takeovers Panel, and a Non-Executive Director of Westpac Banking Corporation, BlueScope Steel and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
	Martin Watkins BEcon (Hons), CA, MIPC Vice President Appointed Vice President in 2001 and 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.
	Dean Brown AO, MRS, GDBA, BRS Appointed in 2012, Dean is a former Premier of South Australia, with more than 33 years’ experience in government. His ministerial responsibilities included Human Services, Disability Services, Ageing, Aboriginal Affairs and Multicultural Affairs. Dean is a Chairman of two junior mining companies, Hillgrove and Intermet. He was elected as a Director of Mission Australia in November 2012.
	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 Directors.
	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

The Board provides strategic guidance for Mission Australia and its controlled entities and effective oversight of management. The Board is the guardian of the founding purpose for which Mission Australia was established and is accountable to its members for pursuit of that purpose and the performance of the Mission Australia Group.

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.

Mission Australia has a delegation of authorities system that quantifies matters retained for Board attention and cascades responsibilities and accountabilities to appropriate management levels within the organisation.

The Board has several sub-committees that assist members to discharge their duties. The Board has a Nominations Committee to ensure replenishment of appropriate skills and knowledge for the Board. 

The Board Audit & Risk Committee (BARC) provides oversight of external audit; internal audit; the ongoing financial position and performance of entities in the Mission Australia Group, 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 completely independent of the Board and Mission Australia management. Mission Australia has quality assurance functions and compliance mechanisms with a program of continuous improvement.

Internal Audit Charter
The Mission Australia Group has an Internal Audit function operating under an Internal Audit Charter that 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 BARC should it be required. 

Risk Management Policy
A risk management system operates within the Group that separates strategic risks and opportunities from operational risks. It includes establishing and integrating the Board’s risk appetite into normal risk management assessments and practices. A key principle behind our risk-management approach is that our managers own responsibility for risk and incorporate risk management into normal management practices and procedures.

Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct applies to the Board, management and staff, specifying practices necessary to maintain confidence in the integrity of entities in the Mission Australia Group. A Gifts and Benefits Policy supports the Code of Conduct. Mission Australia also has a wide range of policies relating to recruitment, work health and safety, good working relations, grievance management, performance counselling, dealing with discrimination, harassment and bullying, among many others. 

Conflict of Interest Policy
A Conflict of Interest Policy sets procedures to deal with real or perceived potential conflicts in loyalties. Directors have additional responsibilities embodied in the Constitution to disclose conflicts to the Board. 

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

Integrity Line and Whistleblower Policy
Mission Australia's free-call Integrity Line receives confidential information about suspected wrongdoing by someone working for Mission Australia or by any Mission Australia entity. It is an essential part of our overall Fraud Control Strategy. Our Whistleblower Policy enables protection from retribution against someone for having raised a genuine concern about serious wrongdoing.

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