The next step is to introduce the G20/OECD Code. A short description of the codes’ scope and key priorities should be provided to ensure the reader understands its relevance. – Once both codes have been introduced,
1. You should begin by briefly explaining the structure and purpose of the ASX Code, including the “if not, why not” approach to compliance. This will help establish the baseline against which the comparison can be made.
2. The next step is to introduce the G20/OECD Code. A short description of the codes’ scope and key priorities should be provided to ensure the reader understands its relevance. – Once both codes have been introduced,
1. you should examine the similarities and differences between the ASX Code and the G20/OECD Code.
This comparison might highlight areas of overlap, such as board independence or audit committee
structures, as well as areas of divergence, such as diversity requirements, or ESG reporting obligations.
To contextualise the similarities and differences, you should consider how your allocated company’s
current disclosures reflect compliance with the ASX Code and whether they also align with the
G20/OECD Code. 12 7The University of Sydney Page 13 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 1: International and Emerging Practices (approximately 350 words) – Then, Section 1 should
1. address the growing influence of emerging global governance expectations, particularly in relation to
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. You might consider whether either codes reflect
international standards such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or the
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) guidelines, and
2. whether your company’s disclosures indicate responsiveness to these pressures. – A comparative table should be used to summarise the findings (see figure 1), but the surrounding
discussion should provide depth and critical evaluation. By the end of this section, the reader should
understand both the relative strengths and weaknesses of the ASX Code and how your company’s
governance practices align with evolving global norms. 13 The University of Sydney Page 14 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 2: Critical analysis of
governance practices (approximately 1250 words) 14 8The University of Sydney Page 15 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 2: Critical analysis of
governance practices (approximately 1250 words) – Section 2 moves from international comparison to a focused critique of your allocated company’s
governance disclosures under three (3) selected principles of the ASX Code. In approaching this task,
you should 1. first explain the
a. requirements and b. purpose of each principle.
This explanation should include both a. the formal recommendations made under the ASX Code and
b. the rationale for their inclusion.
For example, a discussion of Principle 2 (board structure) would include, but is not limited to, outlining the
importance of board independence, separation of the chair and CEO roles, and diversity in board
composition. 3 Principles – 1250 words ≈ 400
words for each principle 15 The University of Sydney Page 16 Individual Assignment – 35% | ASX Code 16 9The University of Sydney Page 17 Individual Assignment – 35% | ASX Code Recommendation 1.1 A listed entity should have and disclose a board charter setting out: (a) the respective roles and responsibilities of its board and management; and (b) those matters expressly reserved to the board and those delegated to management. Recommendation 1.2 A listed entity should: (a) undertake appropriate checks before appointing a director or senior executive or putting someone
forward for election as a director; and (b) provide security holders with all material information in its possession relevant to a decision on
whether or not to elect or re-elect a director. Recommendation 1.3 Recommendation 1.4 Recommendation 1.5 Recommendation 1.6 Recommendation 1.7 Principle 1 – pp 5-11 Consider all parts of the principle: Recommendation Commentary and Box 17 The University of Sydney Page 18 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 2: Critical analysis of
governance practices (approximately 1250 words) – After setting out the requirements of the ASX Code, your analysis should
1. examine the theoretical and practical underpinnings of each principle. This could include reference to a. corporate governance theories such as agency theory, stewardship theory, stakeholder theory, etc, and
b. also reflect academic debates about the effectiveness of governance mechanisms in practice. Linking the theories and the academic literature to the principles ensures that your critique is not merely
descriptive but also grounded in scholarly analysis. Reference the work of others 18 10 The University of Sydney Page 19 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 2: Critical analysis of
governance practices (approximately 1250 words) – Your discussion should then
1. consider the disclosures made by the company. This involves reviewing the specific governance
statements, annual reports, sustainability reports, corporate website, ASX filings, etc that are relevant
to each principle being analysed. It is important to consider both a. the content and b. the quality of the disclosures:
i. are they detailed and supported by evidence, or ii. are they generic statements with limited accountability You should evaluate whether the disclosures demonstrate genuine transparency or simply reflect box- ticking compliance with minimum requirements. 19 The University of Sydney Page 20 Individual Assignment – 35% – Section 2: Critical analysis of
governance practices (approximately 1250 words) – In critiquing the disclosures relating to each of your selected principles, you should also reflect on how
the principles interrelate. For instance, is a board with strong independence (Principle 2) likely to ensure
rigorous oversight of corporate reporting (Principle 4), or would effective risk management (Principle 7)
be influenced by the ethical culture promoted under Principle 3 Identifying these connections will
strengthen your analysis by showing that governance principles operate as an integrated system rather
than in isolation. – Finally, Section 2 should place company disclosures in the context of contemporary governance
challenges. You must link at least one of your three chosen ASX Principles to an emerging issue such as
ESG, climate change, diversity, AI oversight, cyber risk, or whistleblowing. This will require you to assess
not only whether the company complies with the ASX Code but also whether it is responsive to the
broader expectations of stakeholders (e.g. investors, regulators, society, etc).
– By the end of this section, the reader should gain a comprehensive understanding of both the adequacy
of the company’s governance disclosures and the extent to which they demonstrate meaningful
accountability in a rapidly evolving corporate environment. 20 11 The University of Sydney Page 21 Individual Assignment