CSR Connect.ed May 2007

The Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility was pleased to host, in conjunction with ANZ, a panel discussion on “The Effect of Private Equity Takeovers on Corporate Social Responsibility” on the 16th May, 2007.

The event featured speeches from Bob Welsh, Chief Executive of VicSuper, Alison Tate, International Officer at the Australian Council of Trade Unions and David Tonuri, Head of ANZ Capital.

The discussion increased understanding of the key CSR issues and challenges facing the private equity industry. Participants heard from the industry itself, with David Tonuri explaining what private equity is, and what it does (and doesn’t do), and how it might be better controlled. Participants then heard about the key concerns from a trade union perspective with Alison Tate presenting international examples of the impacts of private equity on corporate social responsibility. Lastly, Bob Welsh questioned whether the ownership of a company, private or public, changes the corporate sustainability value proposition, taking Qantas as an example. Mr Welsh then discussed the role of super funds and other institutional investors in influencing corporate sustainability outcomes in a private equity takeover.

The event attracted over 50 participants including representatives from AustralianSuper, Australian Council of Super Investors, BHP Billiton, Coles Group, Investor Group on Climate Change, Mitsui & Co, National Australia Bank, Portfolio Partners, SP AusNet, Toyota, Transurban and World Vision.

The discussion was a CSR Connect.ed event. CSR Connect.ed enables ACCSR’s past workshop participants to stay connected and keep learning in an informal manner through invitations to learning events.

The Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility would like to thank ANZ for their generous support in sponsoring this event.

Turning Point: How Leading Businesses Can Navigate the Corporate Social Responsibility Landscape in 2007

It was with great pleasure that ACCSR hosted the Turning Point Conference – “How Leading Businesses Can Navigate the Corporate Social Responsibility Landscape in 2007” at Westpac on February 5.

This event, attended by 150 people, was an overwhelming success, delivering thought-provoking discussion and insights into the domestic and international CSR policy issues and trends confronting all organisations. Speakers included the Hon. Bob Carr, former Premier of NSW and Senator Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility. Delegates included representatives from Anglo Coal Australia, ANZ, BlueScope Steel, the Business Council of Australia, CPA Australia, Edelman, Konica Minolta, Macquarie Bank, Microsoft, Pfizer, Save the Children Australia, South East Water, State Trustees, Transurban, Vodafone and Westpac.

ACCSR would like to thank all speakers, sponsors, volunteers and delegates to the conference for your support and attendance.

Conference Photos:
(click photo to enlarge)

	(l-r) Dr Cornis Van Der Lugt (UN Global Compact Senior Adviser), Dr Leeora Black (ACCSR) and Mr Paul Hohnen (GRI Expert Representative in the ISO Negotiations)
	ACCSR Managing Director Dr Leeora Black
	The Hon. Bob Carr, Former Premier of NSW
	(l-r) Ms Katie Lahey (Business Council of Australia), Ms Kathleen Farrell (Representative of the Law Council of Australia on the ASX Corporate Governance Advisory Council), Mr Paul Hohnen, Dr Leeora Black and Mr John Kluver (Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee)
	Participants in the Engaging Capital Markets Round Table Chaired by Mr Bill Hartnett (Innovest Strategic Value Advisors) and with Mr James Gifford (UN PRI) as Discussant.
	Plenary session of Round Table discussion. Chairs presenting. (l-r) Ms Sarah Hatcher (Society for Knowledge Economics), Mr Paul Hohnen and Mr Bill Hartnett.
	Round Table presentations. Reporting and Assurance Frameworks. (l-r) Dr Cornis van der Lugt and Mr John Purcell (CPA Australia)
	Dr David Morgan, CEO Westpac Banking Corporation
	Mr Steve Vamos, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia
	Senator Penny Wong, Labor Senator for South Australia and Shadow Minister for Corporate Responsibility and Governance.
	Panel discussion – Responding to the Challenge. (l-r) Senator Penny Wong, Dr David Morgan and Mr Steve Vamos.
	Dr David Morgan and Mr Steve Vamos.