9 questions asked at 2022 Allkem AGM
January 18, 2023
Here is the text of the 9 written questions asked at the 2022 Allkem hybrid AGM held on November 15. No one else asked questions. Watch webcast of 86 minute meeting.
1. Did any of the 5 main proxy advisers - ACSI, Ownership Matters, Glass Lewis, ISS and ASA - recommend a vote against any of today's resolutions? Which of the proxy advisers are covering us and has their been a material proxy protest vote against any of today's resolutions? Will you disclose the proxy votes before the debate on each resolutions so shareholders can ask questions about the reasons if there have been any protest votes? Also, why not disclose the proxies to the ASX with the formal addresses like others now do?
Answer: they supported all resolutions.
2. Thank you for disclosing that 1258 shareholders voted 358 million shares by way of proxy. When disclosing the outcome of voting on all resolutions today, including this NED share plan, could you please advise the ASX how many shareholders voted for and against each item, similar to what happens with a scheme of arrangement? This will provide a better gauge of retail shareholder sentiment on all resolutions and was a disclosure initiative adopted by the likes of Metcash, Altium and Dexus last year and Webjet and Tabcorp so far this AGM season.
Answer: out-going chair agreed to look into this but company secretary talked him out of it because multiple shareholders are often grouped together through custsodians.
3. Could Peter Coleman, as a board candidate today, comment on whether he will undertake to advocate that the company make an archived copy of the webcast plus a full transcript of proceedings available on the company's website? The likes of Nine, AGL, ASX, ANZ, Domino's and Lend Lease all produced their 1st AGM transcripts in 2021. Will you follow suit today? This is something IAG has been doing since 2003. Could the chair also comment on this request?
Answer: Yes, will provide archive of webcast but probably not a transcript.
4. There was a 7.5% vote against the rem report on the proxies. Do you know what concerns those against shareholders had?
Answer: not asked.
5. A question for Richard Seville, as a board candidate today. In 2019, Treasury Wine Estates voluntarily moved to annual elections for directors in line with best practice that occurs in both the US and the UK. Dual listed companies like News Corp and Rio Tinto all do this due to the laws in the US and UK and BHP has pledged to continue doing it even after its UK DLC ended last year. Can the chair and Richard Seville comment on whether our company will follow this TWE lead and move to annual elections of directors at the 2023 AGM?
Answer: no, we'll stick with the 3 year cycle.
6. Well done on securing Peter Coleman as chair. Could Leanne please comment on the process through which Peter was recruited. Were all directors involved and were other candidates interviewed and what have we agreed to pay Peter as our chair.
Answer: not asked.
7. There was a 7% vote against Leanne. What was the issue?
Answer: chair didn't know. Suspect it was length of service.
8. Well done on securing Peter Coleman as chair. Is Peter going to be offered future participation in the performance rights scheme and what does the CEO think about having Peter as the new chair?
Answer: No, he'll just be accessing the NED share plan where they are paid in shares rather than cash.
9. Could the CEO summarise his past LTI grants as to whether they have vested or lapsed. Also, has he ever sold any ordinary Allkem shares or bought any on market without relying on an incentive scheme to build his equity position in the company?
Answer: bought some shares on market when joined the company, all past STI and LTI grants are in play and he's sold a few shares to meet tax liabilities.
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