| DEVELOPMENT
OF RINKER'S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
SYSTEM |
| Rinker
was first listed on the Australian
Stock Exchange (ASX) on 31 March
2003, following its demerger from
CSR Limited (CSR). Coincidentally,
this was the same day that the
ASX Corporate Governance Council
released its Principles of Good
Corporate Governance and Best
Practice Recommendations (ASX
Principles and Recommendations). |
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| On
28 October 2003, Rinker’s
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
were first listed for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE). |
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| Despite
its new status as a listed entity,
Rinker was fortunate that it was
able to commence immediately with
a robust and mature set of corporate
governance practices developed
over many years at CSR. However,
of more fundamental importance,
is that from the outset Rinker
has had an entrenched, highly
developed governance culture based
on strong ethical values and a
commitment to openness and transparency. |
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| During
the period of a little over a
year since it demerged from CSR,
Rinker has further developed and
refined its corporate governance
practices to reflect its circumstances
(including, in particular, its
strong presence in the United
States), the ASX Principles and
Recommendations and its listing
on NYSE. |
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| ‘IF
NOT, WHY NOT’ DISCLOSURE |
| One
of the features of the ASX Principles
and Recommendations is an ‘if
not, why not’ disclosure
obligation in relation to practices
that differ from the ASX Recommendations.
In Rinker’s case, that obligation
is triggered in two regards: |
| • |
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| Rinker
has progressively
developed its corporate
governance documents,
including formal policies
and charters, during
the period since the
demerger and did not
publish these documents
on its website until
the release of this
annual report, in
order to present its
full corporate governance
system in context;
and |
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| • |
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| Rinker
has a share plan open
to all Australian
employees who have
been employed for
at least one year
(Universal Share Plan
– USP) under
which those employees
may annually acquire
a parcel of shares
at market price and
receive an equal number
of additional shares
for no further consideration.
ASX Recommendation
9.4 provides that
plans for equity-based
executive remuneration
should be approved
by shareholders. Although
executives are not
prohibited from participating
in the plan, it is
designed for Australian
employees as a whole,
not for executives
– last year
a total of 1,219 Australian
employees (74.5% of
those eligible) participated.
The maximum number
of shares that can
be purchased under
the plan is identical
for each employee.
Last year, that maximum
was 150 shares, giving
rise to an entitlement
to an additional 150
shares for no further
consideration. USP
is an incidental and
insignificant component
of executive remuneration
and was fully disclosed
to shareholders prior
to the demerger. After
taking the above factors
into account, the
Board has not sought
shareholder approval
for USP as a plan
for equity-based executive
remuneration. However,
the Board has elected
to put its Remuneration
Report to shareholders
for adoption by way
of a non-binding resolution
at Rinker’s
annual general meeting
on 20 July 2004. |
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|
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| Documents
that are italicised and underlined
in this statement (for example
Board
Charter) are available
on Rinker’s internet site,
(www.rinkergroup.com) under the
heading ‘Corporate Governance’.
A table cross-referencing each
of the ASX Principles and Recommendations
to the relevant section of this
statement also appears there. |
 |
| 1.
RINKER’S BOARD |
| 1.1
ACCOUNTABILITY AND APPROACH TO
GOVERNANCE |
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| The
board of directors (the Board)
of Rinker is accountable to shareholders
for the activities and performance
of the Rinker group. |
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| The
Board’s key responsibility
is to oversee the building of
sustainable value for shareholders
within an appropriate risk framework,
having regard to the interests
of other stakeholders. |
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| To
fulfil that responsibility, the
Board strives to ensure that a
strong performance culture continues
to be driven throughout the Rinker
group, within a structure of governance
and ethical values that warrant
the trust, respect and confidence
of shareholders, employees, customers,
suppliers, regulators and the
communities within which Rinker
group companies operate. |
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| 1.2
THE RINKER BOARD’S DUTIES |
| The
Board has identified key duties
that it has reserved for itself
and will not delegate to management.
These duties, many of which are
carried out with the assistance
of the Board’s committees,
are set out in Rinker’s
Board
Charter. The duties include: |
| • |
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| promote
and oversee the maintenance
of Rinker’s
high integrity performance
culture; |
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| • |
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| review
and confirm the strategic
direction of the Rinker
group; |
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| • |
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| approve
business plans, budgets
and financial policies; |
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| • |
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| consider
management recommendations
on key issues, including
proposed acquisitions,
divestments and significant
capital expenditure; |
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| • |
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| fulfil
its responsibilities
in relation to safety,
occupational health
and environmental
matters arising out
of activities within
the Rinker group and
the impact of those
activities on employees,
contractors, customers,
visitors and the communities
and environments within
which Rinker group
companies operate; |
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| • |
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| oversee
the establishment
of proper processes
and controls to maintain
the integrity of accounting
and financial records
and reporting; |
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| • |
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| fairly
and responsibly reward
executives, having
regard to the interests
of shareholders, Rinker’s
performance, the performance
of the relevant executive
and employment market
conditions; |
|
| • |
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| determine
dividend policy and
the amount, timing
and nature of dividends
to be paid to shareholders; |
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| • |
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| adopt
and oversee implementation
of corporate governance
practices that represent
best practice in Rinker’s
particular circumstances
from time to time; |
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| • |
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| oversee
capital management
and financing strategies; |
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| • |
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| oversee
appropriate and effective
risk management policies
and strategies; |
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| • |
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| determine
the scope of authority
(and limits on that
authority) delegated
to the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO); |
|
| • |
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| strive
to ensure that the
Board is comprised
of strongly performing
individuals of the
utmost integrity and
whose complementary
skills, experience,
qualifications and
personal characteristics
are highly suited
to Rinker’s
present and anticipated
future needs, with
regular performance
reviews supporting
this objective; and |
|
| • |
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| appoint,
evaluate, reward and
determine the duration
of appointment of
the CEO and approve
the appointments and
remuneration (sometimes
referred to in this
statement as ‘compensation’)
of those reporting
to the CEO, including
the Chief Financial
Officer and the Company
Secretary. |
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|
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| 1.3
POWERS DELEGATED TO RINKER’S
MANAGEMENT |
| The
Board has delegated to the CEO
the authority and powers necessary
to implement the strategies approved
by the Board and to manage the
business affairs of the Rinker
group within the policies and
specific delegation limits specified
by the Board from time to time.
The CEO may further delegate within
those specific policies and delegation
limits, but remains accountable
for all authority delegated to
executive management. |
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| 1.4
RINKER’S CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY
CHAIRMAN |
| The
Chairman is appointed by the Board
and must be an independent, non-executive
director. |
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| The
role of the Chairman includes: |
| • |
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| leading
the Board, including
ensuring that board
meetings are conducted
in an open and professional
manner and that all
directors know that
they are expected
to be well informed
and are encouraged
to express their views
forthrightly, without
fear or favour, leading
to objective, robust
analysis and debate; |
|
| • |
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| representing
the views of the Board
to shareholders and
the public; |
|
| • |
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| conducting
meetings of shareholders
in an open, democratic
manner and providing
a reasonable opportunity
for shareholders (as
a whole) to express
their views and to
ask questions of the
Board, management
and the external auditors; |
|
| • |
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| ensuring
that new directors
are properly briefed
on the terms of their
appointment and their
rights, duties and
responsibilities;
and |
|
| • |
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| setting
an example of the
culture and values
for which Rinker stands. |
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| If
appropriate, the Board may also
appoint a Deputy Chairman to assist
the Chairman from time to time
and to act as chairman in the
absence of the Chairman. In Rinker’s
current circumstances, the Board
has determined it appropriate
to appoint Marshall Criser, a
US-based director, to perform
that role. |
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| 1.5
THE COMPOSITION OF RINKER’S
BOARD |
| Rinker’s
constitution provides
for a minimum of five and a maximum
of ten non-executive directors.
The Board has determined that
currently, the appropriate number
of non-executive directors is
five. All five non-executive directors
have been determined by the Board
to be independent. |
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| The
constitution
also provides for a maximum of
three executive directors. In
Rinker’s current circumstances,
the Board has determined it appropriate
that the Chief Executive Officer
be the only executive director
on the Board. |
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| The
Board
Charter specifies that
the majority of Rinker’s
directors must be independent
(see criteria below). Under Rinker’s
constitution, non-executive
directors will always comprise
a majority of the Board. |
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| With
assistance from the Board’s
Nominations Committee, the Board
strives to ensure that it is comprised
of strongly performing individuals
of the utmost integrity and whose
complementary skills, experience,
qualifications and personal characteristics
are highly suited to Rinker’s
present and anticipated future
needs. Specific duties have been
assigned to the Nominations Committee
(as set out in the Nominations
Committee Charter)
to support that objective. Membership
of the Nominations Committee (all
members are independent non-executive
directors) and attendance at its
meetings is set out on page 27. |
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| Details
of current directors, including
their skills, experience, qualifications,
length of service and current
term of office are set out on
pages 22-23. |
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| 1.5.1
HOW RINKER ASSESSES THE INDEPENDENCE
OF DIRECTORS |
| The
Board’s policy on assessing
independence has been formed after
consideration of recent developments
in Australia and the United States,
including criteria established
by: |
| • |
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| ASX
Corporate Governance
Council; |
|
| • |
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| Australian
Investment and Financial
Services Association
(the IFSA Blue Book); |
|
| • |
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| US
Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 and
Securities Exchange
Commission (SEC) rules;
and |
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| • |
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| Corporate
Governance Rules of
the NYSE. |
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|
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The
Board’s overarching test
for independence is whether a
director is: ‘Independent
of management and free from any
business or other relationship
that could materially interfere
with (or could reasonably be perceived
to materially interfere with)
the exercise of their unfettered
and independent judgment.’ |
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| In
determining whether this test
is satisfied, the Board applies
the threshold criteria set out
below to determine whether there
are any indicators of matters
that may impair a director’s
unfettered and independent judgment. |
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| The
Board may determine that a director
is independent even though one
or more of the threshold criteria
below are not met, in which case
the Board will publicly disclose
its reasons for making that determination. |
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| Similarly,
the Board recognises that in certain
circumstances it is possible that
a director may not be independent,
even if the threshold criteria
are met. |
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| In
considering independence, the
Board will distinguish between
a relationship that may have the
potential to give rise to, on
isolated occasions, a narrow,
discrete and immediately identifiable
conflict of interest (that can
be completely quarantined by the
Board’s conflict of interest
procedures) and a relationship
that has the potential to affect
the director’s underlying
objectivity or independence of
mind. |
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| The
Board tests the independence of
directors at least annually. In
addition, each director is required
to promptly provide the Board
with any new information that
may be relevant to that director’s
independence. The Board will promptly
consider any such information
and then re-assesses its determination
of that director’s independence. |
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| The
Board will disclose, in each annual
report, its determination of whether
each director is independent or
non-independent. At the date of
this annual report, the Board
has determined that each of its
non-executive directors is, in
fact, independent and that none
of the threshold criteria set
out below have been triggered. |
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| 1.5.2
RINKER’S THRESHOLD CRITERIA
FOR ASSESSING INDEPENDENCE |
| a. |
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| The
director is not a
member of management
within the Rinker
group. |
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| b. |
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| The
director is not a
substantial shareholder
(as defined in section
9 of the Corporations
Act 2001) of Rinker
or an officer of,
or otherwise associated
directly with, a substantial
shareholder of Rinker. |
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| c. |
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| Within
the last three years
neither the director,
nor an immediate family
member (as defined
in the Board
Charter),
has been employed
in an executive capacity
by any company in
the Rinker group or
has been a director
after ceasing to hold
such employment. |
|
| d. |
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| Within
the last three years
neither the director,
nor an immediate family
member, has been a
principal of an auditor
or of any material
professional adviser
or of a material consultant
to any company in
the Rinker group or
an employee materially
associated with any
such service provided. |
|
| e. |
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| Within
the last three years
neither the director,
nor an immediate family
member, has been employed
by an entity that
had an executive officer
of a company in the
Rinker group on its
compensation committee. |
|
| f. |
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| The
director does not
hold cross-directorships
or have other significant
links with other directors
through involvement
in other companies
or bodies where those
cross-directorships
or links could materially
interfere with the
director’s unfettered
and independent judgment. |
|
| g. |
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| Neither
the director, nor
an immediate family
member, is a material
supplier or customer
of the Rinker group
or an officer of,
or otherwise associated
directly or indirectly
with, a material supplier
or customer. In this
context the supplier
or customer shall
be deemed to be ‘material’
if payments to or
from that customer
or supplier exceed
2% of the consolidated
gross revenue of either
the Rinker group or
of that customer or
supplier. |
|
| h. |
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| The
director has no material
contractual relationship
with a company in
the Rinker group other
than as a director,
nor does the director
receive additional
compensation from
any such company,
apart from approved
director’s and
committee fees. |
|
| i. |
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| The
director has not served
on the Board for a
period which could,
or could reasonably
be perceived to, materially
interfere with the
director’s ability
to act in the best
interests of the Rinker
group. |
|
| j. |
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| The
director satisfies
the independence criteria
specified from time
to time by the NYSE. |
|
|
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| Critically,
in addition to the above threshold
criteria, the Board is required
to determine whether the director
is independent in character and
judgment. |
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| Directors
who currently sit on Rinker’s
Audit Committee satisfy the additional
independence criteria specified
under the US Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. |
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| 1.5.3
MATERIALITY |
| The
Board, in part, determines whether
a relationship with a professional
adviser or consultant is material
by assessing whether payment for
the services provided is 5% or
more of the expenditure by the
Rinker group on professional or
consulting services or is 5% or
more of the revenue of the relevant
professional adviser or consultant. |
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| Because
there are inherent weaknesses
in mechanically applying quantitative
criteria, the Board will always
strive to determine the true substance
of any relationship that may call
a director’s independence
into question. Qualitative aspects
of materiality will be closely
considered, including the strategic
significance and underlying nature
of the relationship. |
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| While
disclosure will automatically
be made if the quantitative threshold
is exceeded, a relationship will
not be regarded as immaterial
simply because it involves payments
that fall below that quantitative
threshold. |
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| Rinker
director John Arthur and his spouse
are partners in the law firm Gilbert
+ Tobin (G+T). The Board specifically
examined the fact that G+T had
undertaken matters relating to
businesses now conducted by companies
in the Rinker group in the past
(commencing many years prior to
their joining G+T) and could potentially
do so in the future. In recognising
the potential sensitivity of the
connection, the Board undertook
that examination even though the
materiality threshold outlined
above had not been remotely approached. |
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| The
Board determined that: |
| • |
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| neither
Mr Arthur nor his
spouse had ever personally
acted in any such
matters and would
not do so in future; |
|
| • |
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| Mr
Arthur had not and
would not seek to
influence any decision
on whether or not
a company in the Rinker
group should use G+T; |
|
| • |
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| Mr
Arthur had never received,
nor would in future
receive, any additional
financial benefit
(that is, apart from
normal partnership
distributions –
there being more than
40 partners in G+T)
or other recognition
or benefit of any
nature whatsoever
by G+T in connection
with any matters carried
out by G+T for a company
in the Rinker group; |
|
| • |
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| there
were no other aspects
of the relationship
with G+T that could
materially interfere
with, or could reasonably
be perceived to materially
interfere with, the
exercise of Mr Arthur’s
unfettered and independent
judgment; and |
|
| • |
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| it
would be against Rinker’s
best interests to
restrict its long-standing
policy that in each
case the most appropriate
lawyer for a particular
matter be engaged,
by refusing to consider
any lawyer working
for G+T. |
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| 1.6
APPOINTMENT, ELECTION AND RE-ELECTION
OF RINKER DIRECTORS |
| The
Board’s Nominations Committee
has specific duties (set out in
its Charter)
to assist the Board in assessing
the skills required by the Board
from time to time and in identifying
candidates for potential appointment
to the Board |
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| When
it is appropriate to appoint a
new director and a suitable candidate
has been found, the Chairman ensures
that prior to appointment, the
candidate understands, and agrees
to, the Board’s expectations
of that candidate including, in
particular, the time commitment
and nature and quality of the
contribution required. A formal
letter of appointment is provided
to the proposed director which
includes (among other things)
the terms and conditions of appointment,
the Board
Charter and the charters
of each committee, Rinker’s
constitution, details
of future Board and committee
meetings, indemnity and insurance
arrangements and details regarding
remuneration, expenses and superannuation. |
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| In
accordance with ASX Listing Rules,
the Corporations Act 2001 and
Rinker’s
constitution, non-executive
directors are subject to re-election
by rotation at least every three
years and new directors appointed
by the Board are required to seek
election at the first general
meeting of shareholders following
their appointment. Non-executive
directors are required to agree
not to seek re-election after
serving three three-year terms,
unless the Board specifically
requests the director to remain,
to enable the Board to accommodate
unforeseen and unusual circumstances
that may exist at the time the
director would otherwise leave
the Board. |
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| Before
each general meeting the Nominations
Committee is required to make
recommendations to the Board regarding
the Board’s support for
the re-nomination of each non-executive
director who will retire at that
meeting. Notices of the meetings
at which directors are standing
for election or re-election will
provide details of the relevant
directors’ skills, experience,
age and qualifications, the Board’s
assessment of their independence,
other directorships they hold,
their time in office and a statement
as to whether the Board recommends
the individual’s election
or re-election. Each director
standing for election or re-election
will be invited to briefly introduce
themselves to shareholders at
the general meeting. |
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| Rinker’s
constitution provides
that an executive director’s
office automatically becomes vacant
upon his or her cessation of employment,
unless the Board determines (prior
to that cessation of employment)
that the director will remain
in office as a director for a
specified period that may not
exceed 12 months. |
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| 1.7
RINKER’S BOARD MEETINGS |
| The
Board meets as often as the directors
determine is necessary to fulfil
their responsibilities and duties.
Details of board and committee
meetings held during Rinker’s
most recent financial year and
each director’s attendance
at those meetings is set out in
the table below. Because of the
international nature of the Rinker
group’s operations, Rinker’s
directors are required to travel
substantially. The dates and locations
of scheduled meetings are generally
agreed at least a year in advance.
However the Board always retains
flexibility to reschedule meetings
or to schedule additional meetings
if significant issues arise outside
the planned program of meetings. |
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| The
Board aims to strike an appropriate
mix between meetings held in Australia,
meetings held in the United States
and meetings conducted by video-conference
or other electronic means. |
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| Board
and committee papers are distributed
sufficiently in advance of each
meeting to afford directors adequate
time to fully consider the material
before the meeting. |
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| The
Board at least annually reviews
the overall content of its meeting
agendas and Board and Committee
papers as part of the Board’s
performance review process (this
must also be done at any other
time on the request of any director).
The Company Secretary is required
to prepare a draft agenda for
each meeting, which is finalised
by the Chairman in consultation
with the CEO. In addition, any
director may require a matter
to be placed on the Board’s
agenda. |
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| Independent
non-executive directors meet on
a regular basis, without any executive
director or other member of management
present. The Chairman presides
over these meetings. Interested
persons may raise issues with
the Chairman for consideration
by the non-executive directors
– contact details are available
on Rinker’s internet site. |
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| Whenever
necessary to ensure that discussion
on sensitive matters may be conducted
plainly and openly, the Chairman
will request executive directors
and other members of management
who may be present to temporarily
leave the Board meeting. If necessary,
the Chairman will call a separate
formal meeting of non-executive
directors. |
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| Subject
to any need for the directors
to meet in private, the Company
Secretary and, at the Chairman’s
invitation, the Chief Financial
Officer, attend all Board meetings. |
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| Senior
managers who report to the CEO
are expected to make personal
presentations to the Board regularly
– including once at the
Board’s annual budget and
strategy meeting with management
and on other appropriate occasions
– to provide an in-depth
review of the performance and
issues of the business for which
they are responsible. Other managers
are invited to attend such sessions
when appropriate. |
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| Directors
are expected to participate actively
in debate at Board meetings and
to bring independent judgment
to bear. Constructive differences
of opinion and robust debate are
fundamental to the effective operation
of the Board. Any director may
request matters of concern to
be recorded in Board minutes. |
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| In
accordance with the Board’s
Policy
for obtaining independent professional
advice, the Board,
each committee of the Board, and
each individual director have
the right to obtain independent
professional advice at Rinker’s
expense to assist them to carry
out their duties. For individual
directors, the prior approval
of the Chairman is required, but
may not be unreasonably withheld.
If such consent is withheld, the
Board must be promptly informed
and the director may then seek
Board approval to obtain such
advice. This right to obtain independent
professional advice was neither
exercised nor sought to be exercised
during the year. |
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| 1.8
RINKER’S BOARD COMMITTEES |
| The
Board has established the following
committees to advise and support
the Board in carrying out its
duties: |
| • |
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| Audit
Committee (see charter); |
|
| • |
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| Safety,
Health & Environment
Committee (see charter); |
|
| • |
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| Remuneration
& Human Resources
Committee (see charter);
and |
|
| • |
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| Nominations
Committee (see charter). |
|
|
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| Each
committee has a written charter
which addresses the committee’s
composition, overall responsibilities,
specific duties, reporting obligations,
meeting frequency and arrangements,
authority and resources available
and provisions for reviewing the
committee’s charter. |
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| The
composition of each committee
and the attendance of their members
at meetings is set out in the
table below. |
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| 1.9
INDUCTION, ACCESS TO INFORMATION
AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RINKER
DIRECTORS |
| Upon
joining the Board, and in addition
to their letter of appointment,
new directors are provided with
a comprehensive information pack,
special briefings from management
and, at the earliest practical
opportunity, take part in visits
to key operations in the United
States and Australia to assist
them to rapidly understand the
Rinker group’s businesses,
strategies, people, culture, policies
and other key issues. |
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| With
the consent of the Chairman, which
may not be unreasonably withheld,
any director may attend (at Rinker’s
expense) briefings, lectures or
courses that the director believes
will assist in further developing
the director’s knowledge
and understanding of either his
or her duties and responsibilities
as a director or of issues clearly
pertinent to the Rinker group’s
businesses. |
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| To
assist directors to maintain their
understanding of the group’s
businesses and to assess the people
running them, senior managers
brief the Board regularly in person.
Site visits and briefings are
organised as frequently as practical.
Subject to safety requirements,
directors have unrestricted access
to employees during such visits.
External professionals and consultants
also brief the Board when appropriate. |
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| All
directors have direct access to
the Company Secretary and General
Counsel, who is required to provide
guidance on corporate governance
issues and developments and to
provide assistance on all other
matters reasonably requested by
directors. The Company Secretary
and General Counsel monitors compliance
with the Board Charter and other
policies and procedures and is
accountable to the Board, through
the Chairman, on all corporate
governance matters. |
 |
| Directors
have unrestricted access to Rinker’s
records and information. If the
Board or an individual director
seeks information, the CEO is
required to take all reasonable
steps to ensure that no material
information is withheld and that
no misleading impressions are
conveyed. |
 |
| Comprehensive
performance reports are provided
to directors monthly, regardless
of whether a Board meeting is
scheduled for that month. |
 |
| 1.10
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF THE RINKER
BOARD |
| Through
its Nominations Committee, and
using the services of an independent
third party, the Board undertook
a formal review (which will be
conducted annually) of the performance
of the Board, its committees,
and individual non-executive directors.
The review was undertaken in March/April
2004, and a report on its findings
and recommendations was presented
to the Board in May 2004. The
review was initially conducted
by way of questionnaire, with
the opportunity for follow-up
discussions if any director, or
the independent third party, thought
it would be beneficial to do so.
The review indicated a fundamentally
sound state of health in all key
areas. |
 |
| Matters
canvassed in the performance review
included: |
| • |
 |
| the
effectiveness of the
Board and each committee
in meeting the requirements
of their charters,
and any amendments
that should be made
to those charters; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
contribution, effort
and time commitment
made by individual
directors, both at
Board meetings and
in their other responsibilities; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
effectiveness of the
Chairman in leading
the Board; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
quality of debate
and discussion at
Board meetings; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
quality of the relationship
between non-executive
directors and management; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
quality and timeliness
of Board agendas,
Board papers and secretarial
support services; |
|
| • |
 |
| the
suitability of the
blend of skills, experience,
qualifications and
personal characteristics
represented on the
Board and an identification
of any current or
potential gaps; and |
|
| • |
 |
| any
other significant
matters that arose
during the process. |
|
|
 |
| Through
the Remuneration & Human Resources
Committee, the performance of
the CEO (and other executive directors,
if any) is separately and formally
reviewed each year. The review
evaluates performance against
pre-set financial and non-financial
goals. |
 |
 |
 |
| 1.11
RINKER’S SAFEGUARDS AGAINST
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
| Rinker’s
directors are required to take
all reasonable steps to avoid
any action, position or interest
that conflicts with an interest
of the Rinker group, or could
reasonably be perceived to represent
a conflict. This is one of the
elements of Rinker’s Code
of Business Ethics
– a code that applies to
all directors, management and
other employees. |
 |
| If
a director has a material personal
interest in any matter that concerns
the affairs of the Rinker group,
he or she must give the other
directors immediate notice of
such interest. Such notice is
to be provided in writing (although
the director may first advise
the matter personally) to the
Company Secretary, who shall ensure
it is brought to the attention
of other directors. |
 |
| If
a potential conflict arises, the
director concerned does not receive
the relevant Board papers and
is required to withdraw from the
Board meeting while such matter
is considered. The director must
not endeavour, in any other manner,
to exercise any influence in connection
with the Board’s consideration
of such matter. |
 |
| If
a significant conflict of interest
arises that is not capable of
being completely quarantined by
the above procedure, and which
has the potential to affect a
director’s underlying objectivity
or independence of mind, the Chairman,
after consultation with the director,
may request the director to resign. |
 |
| 1.12
SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENTS FOR
RINKER DIRECTORS |
| Rinker’s
constitution requires
each director to hold a minimum
of 2,000 Rinker ordinary shares
(or the equivalent in Rinker ADRs)
in their own name. |
 |
| In
addition, the Board’s policy
is that each non-executive director
be encouraged to acquire Rinker
shares or ADRs, with a value equivalent
to not less than one year’s
base director’s fees, within
a reasonable time of joining the
Board, and that such Rinker shares
or ADRs continue to be held while
remaining on the Board. |
 |
| The
Board’s policy also encourages
the CEO to acquire Rinker shares
or ADRs, with a value equivalent
to three year’s of the CEO’s
base remuneration, within a reasonable
time and that such Rinker shares
or ADRs continue to be held while
remaining as CEO. |
 |
Details
of directors’ shareholdings
are set out in the table on
page 28. |
 |
| 1.13
RESTRICTIONS ON SHARE DEALINGS
BY RINKER'S DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES |
|
Directors and employees are subject
to Australian and US legal restrictions
on buying or selling Rinker securities
while in possession of price sensitive
information that has not been
disclosed to the market (known
as 'insider trading'). |
 |
|
Rinker has adopted a Policy on
dealings in shares by Rinker directors
and employees that places additional
restrictions on the ability of
directors and employees to trade
in Rinker's shares, designed to
minimise the risk of actual or
perceived insider trading. Regular
monthly purchases by the trustee
of Rinker's Employee Share Acquisition
Plan, on behalf of directors and
employees, are permitted to continue
throughout the year in accordance
with standing instructions. However,
those standing instructions may
not be changed outside the limited
'trading windows' identified in
the policy. |
 |
|
In accordance with ASX Listing
Rules, Rinker is required to notify
ASX, within five business days,
of any sale or purchase of Rinker
securities by a director. This
notification is also filed publicly
by Rinker with the SEC (on Form
6-K). To enable Rinker to fulfil
this obligation, each director
has entered into an agreement
with Rinker under which the director
is required to notify the company
of any such sale or purchase as
soon as reasonably practicable,
and in any event within three
business days. |
 |
|
2. RINKER'S SHAREHOLDERS |
 |
|
2.1 COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY |
 |
|
Rinker is committed to providing
shareholders with extensive, transparent,
accessible and timely communications
on company activities, strategy
and performance. |
 |
|
The primary tools used to communicate
with shareholders include: |
| • |
 |
| releases
to ASX and SEC/NYSE
in accordance with
continuous disclosure
obligations; |
|
| • |
 |
| extensive
use of Rinker’s
internet site (www.rinkergroup.com); |
|
| • |
 |
|
| • |
 |
| half-yearly
results summary; |
|
| • |
 |
|
annual general meeting
(AGM); |
|
| • |
 |
| e-mail
distribution of company
releases, reports
and other communications;
and |
|
| • |
 |
| media
coverage of significant
announcements. |
|
|
 |
|
Rinker's communications program
includes: |
| • |
 |
| posting
on Rinker’s
internet site of all
announcements and
reports to the market,
immediately following
release by ASX; |
|
| • |
 |
| annual
report and half-yearly
results summary mailed
to shareholders (unless
requested otherwise)
and posted on Rinker’s
internet site for
downloading; |
|
| • |
 |
| e-mail
alerts to shareholders
(upon request) informing
them of significant
announcements and
the availability of
reports on Rinker’s
internet site; |
|
| • |
 |
| AGM,
results briefings
to media and analysts,
quarterly business
updates and conference
calls with analysts
are all webcast live
and archived for later
viewing on Rinker’s
internet site; |
|
| • |
 |
| other
major briefings, presentations
and management speeches
are immediately posted
on Rinker’s
internet site; |
|
| • |
 |
| ‘MY
RINKER’ employee
newsletters posted
on Rinker’s
internet site. |
|
|
 |
|
Shareholder questions about Rinker. |
| |