Corporate Governance

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In recognising the need for the highest standards of corporate behaviour and accountability, the Directors of Jupiter adhere to strict principles of corporate governance. 

The Board of Directors of Jupiter Energy Limited is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the consolidated entity, guiding and monitoring the business and affairs of Jupiter on behalf of the shareholders by whom they are elected and to whom they are accountable.

The Company’s corporate governance principles and policies are structured with reference to the Corporate Governance Councils best practice recommendations, which are as follows:

Principle 1.      Lay solid foundations for management and oversight

Principle 2.      Structure the Board to add value

Principle 3.      Promote ethical and responsible decision making

Principle 4.      Safeguard integrity in financial reporting

Principle 5.      Make timely and balanced disclosure

Principle 6.      Respect the rights of shareholders

Principle 7.      Recognise and manage risk

Principle 8.      Remunerate fairly and responsibly

The Board’s Corporate Governance Charter includes procedures for compliance with the ASX Listing Rule continuous disclosure requirements, trading in the Company’s securities, the management of risk, and a Code of Conduct. The board reviews the above principles annually.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Role of the Board

In general, the Board is responsible for, and has the authority to determine, all matters relating to the policies, practices, management and operations of the Company. It is required to do all things that may be necessary to be done in order to carry out the objectives of the Company.

Without intending to limit this general role of the Board, the principal functions and responsibilities of the Board include the following: 

• To set the strategic direction for the Company and monitor progress of those strategies;
• Establish policies appropriate for the Company;
• Monitor the performance of the Company, the Board and management;
• Approve the business plan and work programmes and budgets;
• Authorise and monitor investment and strategic commitments;
• Review and ratify systems for health, safety and environmental management; risk and internal control; codes of conduct and regulatory compliance;
• Report to shareholders, including but not limited to, the Financial Statements of the Company; and
• Take responsibility for corporate governance. 

Composition of the Board

To add value to the Company the Board has been formed so that it has effective composition, size and commitment to adequately discharge its responsibilities and duties given its current size and scale of operations.

The names of Directors of the Company in office at the date of this statement are set out in the Directors’ Report. Information regarding Directors’ experience and responsibilities will be included in the Directors’ Report section of the Annual Report.

The number of Directors is specified in the Constitution of the Company as a minimum of three up to a maximum of ten.

The preferred skills and experiences for a Director of the Company include: 

• Exploration and Development;
• Production operations;
• Business Development; and
• Public Company administration.

Chairman of the Board 

The Chairman of the Board should be a Non-Executive Director and the Chairman will be elected by the Directors. Mr Geoff Gander, however is an executive chairman and is not independent. Given his skills, experience and knowledge of the Company, the board considers that it is appropriate for him to be Chairman. 

Independent Directors

The Board considers that a Director is independent if that Director complies with the following criteria:

• Apart from Director’s fees and shareholding, independent Directors should not have any business dealings which could materially affect their independent judgment;
• Must not have been in an Executive capacity in the Company in the last 3 years;
• Must not have been in an advisory capacity to the Company in the last 3 years;
• Must not be a significant customer or supplier for the Company;
• Must not be appointed through a special relationship with a board member;
• Must not owe allegiance to a particular group of shareholders which gives rise to a potential conflict of interest;
• Must not hold conflicting cross Directorships; and
• Must not be a substantial shareholder or a nominee of a substantial shareholder (as defined under section 9 of the Corporations Act).

Using the ASX Best Practice Recommendations on the assessment of the independence of Directors, the Board considers that of a total of four Directors there are two Directors, Mr Alastair Beardsall and Mr Baltabek Kuandykov are considered to be independent.

Mr Geoff Gander is an Executive Chairman of the Company and is not considered to be independent. However, his experience and knowledge of the Company makes his contribution to the Board such that it is appropriate for him to remain on the Board.

Mr Scott Mison is not considered to be independent. However, his experience and knowledge of the Company makes his contribution to the Board such that it is appropriate for him to remain on the Board.

Retirement and Rotation of Directors

Retirement and rotation of Directors are governed by the Corporations Act 2001 and the Constitution of the Company. Each year one third Directors must retire and offer themselves for re-election. Any casual vacancy filled will be subject to shareholder vote at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company.

Independent Professional Advice

Each Director has the right to seek independent professional advice at the Company’s expense after consultation with the Chairman. Once received the advice is to be made immediately available to all board members.

Access to Employees

Directors have the right of access to any employee. Any employee shall report any breach of corporate governance principles or Company policies to the Executive Director and/or Company Secretary/Chief Financial Officer who shall remedy the breach. If the breach is not rectified to the satisfaction of the employee, they shall have the right to report any breach to an independent Director without further reference to senior managers of the Company.

Insurance

Directors and officers insurance for Directors will be arranged by the Company at Company expense.

Share Ownership

Directors are encouraged to own Company shares.

Board Meetings

The following points identify the frequency of Board Meetings and the extent of reporting from management at the meetings: 

• A minimum of four meetings are to be held per year;
• Other meetings will be held as required, meetings can be held by telephone link; and
• Information provided to the Board includes all material information on: operations, budgets, cash flows, funding requirements, shareholder movements, broker activity in the Company’s securities, assets and liabilities, disposals, financial accounts, external audits, internal controls, risk assessment, new venture proposals, and health, safety and environmental reports.

Board Performance Review

The Board intends to commence an evaluation of its performance annually.

Other Areas for Board Review 

• Reporting to shareholders and the market to ensure trade in the Company’s securities takes place in an efficient, competitive and informed market; and
• Insurance, both corporate and joint venture related insurances.

Board Committees

Audit Committee

The Company does not have an audit committee. The Board is of the opinion that due to the nature and size of the Company, the functions performed by an audit committee can be adequately handled by the full Board.

The CEO (or equivalent) and the CFO (or equivalent) declare in writing to the Board that the Company’s financial statements for the year, present a true and fair view, in all material aspects, of the Company’s financial condition and operational results and are in accordance with relevant accounting standards. This representation is made by the CEO (or equivalent) and the CFO (or equivalent) prior to the Director’s approval of the release of the annual and six monthly accounts. This representation is made after enquiry of, and representation by, appropriate levels of management.

Jupiter Energy Limited has requested the external auditors to attend the annual general meeting to be available to answer shareholders questions regarding the audit.

Nomination Committee

The Board of Directors of the Company does not have a nomination committee. The Board is of the opinion that due to the nature and size of the Company, the functions performed by a nomination committee can be adequately handled by the full Board.

Remuneration Committee

The Company does not have a remuneration committee. The Board is of the opinion that due to the nature and size of the Company, the functions performed by a remuneration committee can be adequately handled by the full Board.

Remuneration levels for Directors, Secretaries, Senior Executives of the Company, and relevant group Executives of the consolidated entity (“the Directors and Senior Executives”) are competitively set to attract and retain appropriately qualified and experienced Directors and Senior Executives. 

The remuneration structures explained below are designed to attract suitably qualified candidates, reward the achievement of strategic objectives, and achieve the broader outcome of creation of value for shareholders. The remuneration structures take into account: 

• the capability and experience of the directors and senior executives
• the Directors and Senior Executives ability to control the relevant segment/s’ performance
• the consolidated entity’s performance including:
• the consolidated entity’s earnings
• the growth in share price and returns on shareholder wealth
• the amount of incentives within each Directors and Senior Executives remuneration

Risk Management

The risks involved in oil and gas exploration Company and the specific uncertainties for the Company continue to be regularly monitored and the full Board of the Company meets on an annual basis to formally review such risks. All proposals reviewed by the Board include a consideration of the issues and risks of the proposal.

The potential exposures with running the Company have been managed by the Board and Company Secretary who have significant broad-ranging industry experience, work together as a team and regularly share information on current activities.

Additionally, it is the responsibility of the Board to assess the adequacy of the Company’s internal control systems and that its financial affairs comply with applicable laws and regulations and professional practices. The CEO (or equivalent) and the CFO (or equivalent) declare in writing to the Board that the financial reporting risk management and associated compliance controls have been assessed and found to be operating efficiently and effectively. This representation is made by the CEO (or equivalent) and CFO (or equivalent) prior to the Director’s approval of the release of the annual and six monthly accounts. This representation is made after enquiry of, and representation by, appropriate levels of management. 

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PROMOTION OF ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING

Code of Conduct

The goal of establishing the Company as a significant Australian-based petroleum exploration and production Company is underpinned by its core values of honesty, integrity, common sense and respect for people. The Company desires to remain a good corporate citizen and appropriately balance, protect and preserve all stakeholders’ interests.

The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct for Directors and employees of the Company. The Company’s goal of achieving above average wealth creation for our shareholders should be enhanced by complying with this code of conduct which provides principles to which Directors and employees should be familiar and to which they are expected to adhere and advocate.

It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure the Company’s performance under this Code and for its regular review.

Trading in Company Securities by Directors, officers and employees

Trading of shares is covered by, amongst other things, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules. The Board has established a Securities Trading Policy that establishes strict guidelines as to when a Director, officer or an employee can deal in Company shares. The policy prohibits trading in the Company’s securities whilst the Directors, officer or employee is in the possession of price sensitive information. 

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SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATION

The Board aims to ensure that shareholders and investors have equal access to the Company’s information.

The Company has policies and procedures that are designed to ensure compliance with ASX Listing Rule disclosure requirements and to ensure accountability at a senior management level for that compliance. This disclosure policy includes processes for the identification of matters that may have material effect on the price of the Company’s securities, notifying them to the ASX and posting them on the Company’s website.

The Company also has a strategy to promote effective communication with shareholders and encourage effective participation at general meetings through a policy of open disclosure to shareholders, regulatory authorities and the broader community of all material information with respect to the Company’s affairs including, but not limited to: 

• Conflicts of interest and related party transactions;
• Executive remuneration;
• The grant of options and details of Share Option Plans;
• The process for performance evaluation of the Board, its committees, individual Directors and key managers;
• The link between remuneration paid to Directors and Executives and corporate performance; and
• Shorter, more comprehensible notices of meetings.

 The following information is communicated to shareholders: 

• The Annual Report and notices of meetings of shareholders;
• Quarterly reports reviewing the operations, activities and financial position of the Company;
• All documents that are released to the ASX are made available on the Company’s website; and
• All other information on the Company’s website is updated on an ongoing basis.

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COMPANY'S PLANS AND DOCUMENTS