2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY ROUND TABLE
University House University of Melbourne and on Zoom
6:15pm Monday 13 November 2023
DRAFT MINUTES
- Welcome by the Chair Lyn Allison and Acknowledgement of Country
The following members were present (* by Zoom):
Peter Acton, Lyn Allison, Graeme Booth, Peter Carroll, Stephen Charles, Ken Coghill, Jackie Fristacky, Peter Frost, Lucy Hamilton, Stuart Hamilton, *Prue Innes, Barry Jones, *Gerardine McLoughlin, Ken Parker, Charles Sampford, Valerie Sands, Angela Smith, Julia Thornton, *Sophie Torney, *Peter Wilkins. As the quorum is 5, the meeting was quorate.
The following guests were also present: Sarah Acton, Emma Shortis
2. Apologies and Proxies
Glenn Barnes, Liz Dax, Fiona MacLeod, Cathy McGowan, Beryce Nelson, Barbara Norman, Martin Russell, Rob Southey, Peter White, Andrew Young, Spencer Zifcak.
No proxies.
3. Minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting
A motion that the minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting be approved as an accurate record was agreed.
- President’s Report, to be delivered by the Chair
The Chair reported that 2023 had been a productive year in terms of public presence and organisational reform. Three working groups had been established following a strategic planning day to focus work in the areas of corruption, information and parliament. The media were seeking comments from ART experts more frequently, often via the website. We were applying for DGR status to increase our donation pool and to be able to afford support for our voluntary directors. We have also adopted a communications policy based on the excellent work of Peter Acton, Graeme Booth, Gerardine McLoughlin, and Sophie Torney.
5. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported ART was in a ‘healthy but limited’ position.
A motion that the Audited Financial Statements be received and accepted was agreed.
6. Membership Fees
A motion was agreed that no change be made to the level of members fees for 2024:
- Voting member – $250
- Non-voting member – $75
- Concessional or student member – $10
- Honorary Life Member – no fee
7. Election of directors
The Hon. Robert Redlich AM KC was appointed to fill casual vacancies on the Board of the Accountability Round Table and needed confirmation. Another appointment was recommended by the Board. Motions were agreed that the following Directors be elected:
The Hon. Robert Redlich AM KC
Sophie Torney
8. Close and Introduction of Webinar
The meeting closed at 6:30pm following which the chair introduced a hybrid presentation on Accountability for Going to War by Charles Sampford with respondent Emma Shortis of the Australia Institute.