This report outlines Australia's current regulatory framework for corporate governance, the role of shareholders in ensuring good corporate governance, the importance of effective communication between company boards and shareholders and the voting mechanisms through which shareholders enforce the accountability of company boards. The final section of the chapter canvasses the opinion of contributors to the inquiry on the most appropriate way to approach shareholder engagement reform.

The report examines possible improvements to the flow of information and dialogue between companies and shareholders, with attention also given to the disclosure of stock lending and margin lending activities; as well as examining issues specific to the separate institutional and retail investor groups.

The report also assesses issues raised with the committee pertaining to the efficacy and integrity of different absentee voting mechanisms and the ability of shareholders to express their views effectively through the voting process.