TP14/013
The Panel has declined to conduct proceedings on an application dated 24 January 2014 from Ann Cathcart Pty Ltd in relation to the affairs of Agricultural Land Trust.
The application concerned the members' meeting of the Trust scheduled for 31 January 2014 to approve a proposed restructure of the Trust, and whether Emerald Securities Pty Ltd (the holder of 4.4% of the Trust) and Mr Allen Caratti were associated so that Emerald Securities should be excluded from voting on resolutions to be put at that meeting (see TP14/10).
The Panel decided that there was no reasonable prospect that it would make a declaration of unacceptable circumstances because, among other things:
- the material put forward to support the allegation of association was equivocal or problematic
- a considerable time has elapsed since concerns about association were first raised and it is unclear what other evidence could be adduced and
- the Panel was informed that if the meeting was delayed, the Trust may suffer prejudice as a result of its financing arrangements.
As the Panel decided not to conduct proceedings it has not made any interim orders.
The sitting Panel was Garry Besson (sitting President), Elizabeth Hallett and Richard Hunt.
The Panel will publish its reasons for the decision in due course on the Panel's website.
Allan Bulman
Director, Takeovers Panel
Level 10, 63 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: +61 3 9655 3597
allan.bulman@takeovers.gov.au
