In brief

  • ASIC has released its updated Regulatory Guide 74 which concerns the takeovers exception for acquisitions approved by members. The updated guidance focuses on:
  • Managed investment schemes – relief from voting restrictions will only be granted if ASIC is satisfied that the principles of Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) are not undermined,
  • Independent expert reports – directors should provide independent expert reports to satisfy their disclosure obligations,
  • Material changes – supplementary material should generally be provided to members at least 10 days prior to the meeting to approve the acquisition, unless the circumstances justify a shorter period,
  • Documents – notices of meetings and accompanying material should be provided to ASIC 14 days prior to distribution, and
  • Voting restrictions – beneficial shareholders may be relieved from voting restrictions in certain circumstances.

Introduction

ASIC has recently released its updated regulatory guidance on the takeovers exception for acquisitions approved by members (item 7 of section 611 of the Corporations Act (Item 7)). This exception allows a person to acquire more than 20 per cent of an entity with the approval of the other members. It is also commonly used to implement ‘trust scheme’ mergers.

ASIC’s updated guidance (Regulatory Guide 74):

  • reflects the changes to the law since the initial 1994 guidance (which is now well out of date),
  • extends the scope of the guidance to trust schemes, and
  • provides greater detail on disclosure/information requirements.

The updates are generally consistent with ASIC’s current practices and the views it has expressed in other recent policy documents.

Relief for trust schemes

Because of voting restrictions under Item 7, a person seeking to acquire control of a managed investment scheme by way of a trust scheme requires ASIC relief to enable the members to vote on the proposed acquisition. ASIC has now expressly set out its position that it is only prepared to give this relief if it is satisfied that the principles and protections in Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act are not undermined.

ASIC has recognised that implementing a trust scheme may also require relief from other technical provisions of the Corporations Act, such as the inadvertent provision of ‘financial services’, and the application of the withdrawal offer procedures.

Independent expert reports

Item 7 requires the directors of the target entity to provide to members information that is material to the decision on how to vote. ASIC’s updated guidance is stronger than the previous policy, as the guide states that directors should provide (rather than ‘may’ provide) an independent expert report or a detailed directors’ report to satisfy disclosure obligations.

ASIC has emphasised that there are only limited circumstances where not using an independent expert report will be acceptable, but that:

  • the use of independent expert reports has become ‘standard market practice’,
  • ASIC will closely scrutinise directors’ reports, and
  • there is ‘significant risk’ of inadequate disclosure where directors’ reports are used.

Material changes to transaction

Where a material change has occurred after dispatch of the notice of meeting but prior to the meeting, the target entity is required to provide members with supplementary information. ASIC has stated that this information should be provided at least 10 days before the meeting, although it acknowledges that a shorter notice period may be acceptable in certain circumstances. Factors relevant to such a consideration include:

  • whether the information is already available (eg through media coverage),
  • the quantity and complexity of the supplementary information,
  • whether the supplementary information was foreshadowed, and
  • the significance of the supplementary information and the nature of any additional recommendations.

Where a material change has occurred after the meeting approving the acquisition, such that the transaction is materially different to what was approved (for example, an acquirer increasing its voting power beyond the level specified in the notice of meeting), ASIC has indicated that fresh approval of members should be sought.

Provision of draft documents to ASIC

ASIC strongly encourages draft notices of meeting and accompanying explanatory material to be provided to it 14 days before the documents are printed for dispatch to members (or an even longer period where relief is sought). This is more forceful than the previous policy, which did not include a timeframe.

ASIC also encourages drafts of any supplementary information that is to be provided to members to be provided to ASIC if timing permits.

Voting restrictions on trustees and nominees

Item 7 prevents the acquirer (or their associates) from voting in favour of the transaction. This restriction can be problematic where a precluded person holds shares on trust or as a nominee for a third party that would be entitled to vote if they held the shares directly.

In the updated guidance, ASIC confirms its practice of granting relief to remove this restriction where the beneficial holder:

  • is not an associate of the trustee or nominee,
  • would be entitled to vote if they held the shares directly, and
  • directs the trustee or nominee to vote in favour of the resolution.