Briefing note

Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Origin Energy on FPIC and lobbying

Company: Origin Energy Ltd (ISIN: AU000000ORG5)

AGM dates and locations: 20 October 2020, Sydney, Australia

Contacts: Brynn O’Brien, Executive Director (brynn@accr.org.au) and Dan Gocher, Director of Climate and Environment (dan@accr.org.au)

Other key links: Resolutions and Supporting Statements.

Ordinary Resolution on Cultural Heritage Protection

Resolution text

Shareholders request that the Board commission an independent review of the process undertaken by its predecessor(s) to obtain free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from Aboriginal Native Title holders and claimants on whose lands our company intends to undertake hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin (FPIC Review).

Shareholders request that the FPIC Review be summarised in a report to be made available on the company website by 30 June 2021 (Report). The Report should be prepared at reasonable cost and omit confidential information.

Background

This is the third consecutive year that ACCR and co-filing shareholders raise the concerns of affected Native Title holders and claimants for consideration at Origin’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Native Title holders affected by Origin’s exploration permits expressed their concerns directly to Origin’s Chairman at the 2018[1] and 2019[2] AGMs. These concerns have persisted, despite Origin’s assertions that it enjoys the consent of Native Title holders and claimants[3]. Aboriginal communities in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin continue to resist Origin’s planned hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) activities in the region.

Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) should be fundamental to the relationship between companies and First Nations peoples on whose land they intend to operate. Shareholders need only look to Rio Tinto’s destruction of Juukan Gorge for iron ore mining to observe the serious consequences that can result from failing to respect the human rights of First Nations peoples. Rio Tinto has faced sustained scrutiny and criticism from the public, media, the Australian Parliament, and its shareholders since the detonation of significant sites in May 2020, against the wishes of Native Title holders[4],[5].

Origin has stated that “[its] activities will be guided by” the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) as well as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)”[6]. FPIC is central to the UNDRIP and is recognised in international law. The lack of FPIC or any of its elements poses significant risks to Origin. Human rights commitments must be matched with action, even - or perhaps especially - when that action is inconvenient.

We are concerned that Origin’s commitments are not borne out in relation to Origin's proposed Fracking activities on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory, exposing Origin to significant risks. In the present context, a cautious and diligent approach is warranted.

Concerns about Fracking in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin

We are concerned that Origin continues to state that Native Title holders have consented to Fracking activities on their land, in the face of persistent, consistent objections by affected Native Title holders and claimants.

Origin did not itself negotiate consent agreements with affected Native Title holders (Agreements) for the grant of the Permits that it now holds in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin (Permits). Rather, Origin acquired its interest in the Permits (most likely negotiated in the early 2000s, and granted around 2005) from either or both of Sweetpea Pty Ltd and Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

The circumstances in which Sweetpea/Falcon obtained the Agreements carry risks that should have been the subject of careful due diligence before Origin acquired its interest in the Permits. In particular, confirmation of Native Title holders’ and claimants’ informed consent under the Agreements to the range of Fracking and related activities now proposed by Origin should have been, and should now be, a matter of the highest importance to Origin.

The involvement of the Northern Land Council (NLC) in consultations and agreement-making does not, of itself, demonstrate that consent has been achieved. This is especially so in light of the consistent, public objections by affected Native Title holders and claimants over the last three years.

A recent review of publicly available information about consent processes in the Northern Territory[7] - including the findings of the Hawke[8] and Pepper[9] inquiries - raises the concerning prospect that many petroleum exploration permits in the Northern Territory that enable Fracking have been issued without FPIC.

Native title holders’ concerns about fracking in the Beetaloo Basin again emerged into public view on Friday, 25 September 2020 when it was reported that Native Title holders affected by Origin’s exploration permits have taken steps to replace the NLC as their representative in their dealings with Origin, because they do not believe that NLC is representing their concerns about and objections to Fracking.

In these circumstances our request for an independent review is reasonable and proportionate to the magnitude of both the risks at hand and the capital expenditure planned on Fracking activities in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin.

Ordinary Resolution on Lobbying Relating to COVID-19 Recovery

Resolution text

Shareholders request that the Board undertake, as soon as practicable, a review of advocacy activities undertaken by our company’s Industry Associations relating to economic stimulus measures in response to COVID-19.

Shareholders recommend that our company suspend, for a period deemed suitable by the Board, membership of Industry Associations where the review demonstrates, on balance, a record of advocacy inconsistent with the Paris Agreement’s goals.

Nothing in this resolution should be read as limiting the Board’s discretion to take decisions in the best interests of our company.

Lobbying Impact

We welcome Origin’s support for a goal of net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier in the national electricity market[10]. However in order to limit the worst impacts of climate change, the entire economy (including the gas industry) must reach net-zero by 2050 or earlier[11].

In recent years, national policy to reduce emissions in Australia has stalled or regressed. Origin’s lobbying on climate and energy policy continues to have a far greater impact on Australia’s national emissions trajectory than any reduction in emissions Origin can achieve on its own.

Origin has been telling shareholders for at least two years that it should remain a member of obstructive lobby groups in order to affect change from within. Despite these commitments, many of Origin’s industry associations continue to promote fossil fuel expansion and obstruct effective climate policy. In its most recent report on Australian industry associations, InfluenceMap identified that most of Origin’s key associations have a negative impact on climate and energy policy:

2020 Carbon Policy Footprint of Origin's Industry Associations, Analysis by InfluenceMap

2020 Carbon Policy FootprintIndustry AssociationRegion
-8Australian Pipelines and Gas Associations (APGA)Australia
-16Australian Industry Greenhouse Network (AIGN)Australia
-32Queensland Resources Council (QRC)Australia
-36Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA)Australia
-40Business Council of Australia (BCA)Australia

Source: InfluenceMap, Australian Industry Associations and their Carbon Policy Footprint, September 2020

Origin’s retrospective process of industry association reviews has failed to address the most problematic advocacy, and where it has identified misalignments, this occurred after the damage was done. Support for Kyoto carryover credits by APPEA and the Business Council of Australia (BCA) during the Australian federal election in early 2019[12],[13] provides the starkest example. Not only did that advocacy impact the election, but the Australian government then used its position on Kyoto carryover credits to obstruct the global climate talks in Madrid in December 2019[14].

While the BCA may have “softened its position”[15] on Kyoto carryover credits, it is yet to retract its support entirely, and has suggested Australia use them only if necessary. APPEA’s position on Kyoto carryover credits remains unclear.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the global economy. Unfortunately, the advocacy by some of Origin’s industry associations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can only be described as predatory, calling for policies that are fundamentally inconsistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This includes demands for making new acreage available for gas exploration, government subsidies and tax relief for new fossil fuel projects, fast-tracked approvals for new coal and gas developments, and aggressive deregulation.

“...the expansion in the exploitation of fossil fuel resources that Australia is planning goes against the global efforts to combat climate change and is not consistent with the global energy transition required to meet the Paris Agreement goals."

— Climate Analytics, ‘Evaluating the significance of Australia’s global fossil fuel carbon footprint', July 2019

If Australia is to meet its Nationally Determined Commitment (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, it cannot materially increase fossil fuel production. According to Climate Analytics, Australian government and industry plans for growth in fossil fuel production (as at July 2019) were not consistent with the global energy transition required to meet the Paris Agreement goals[16]. Origin's industry associations have exacerbated this situation by their advocacy during COVID-19.

Gas-led Recovery

The Australian government is actively pursuing a “gas-led recovery” from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including subsidies for new gas infrastructure, fast-tracking of project approvals, potential underwriting of new developments and aggressive deregulation[17]. On 15 September, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that his government would fund plans to develop a minimum of five new gas basins, including the Beetaloo Basin[18].

Origin is currently conducting an exploration program in the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory. As a direct result of lobbying by Origin and APPEA, the Australian federal government has included a “Beetaloo Basin Development Strategy” in its “Fair Deal on Energy” policy[19]. The Australian federal government will provide $8.4 million “to accelerate the development of the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory”[20], and government financial support for a pipeline connecting the Beetaloo Basin to Australia’s east coast gas network has also been proposed[21].

APPEA and the QRC have also used the 10-yearly review of Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to argue that weaker environmental laws were necessary for recovery. In their submissions to EPBC Act Review, APPEA and the QRC argued that the EPBC Act should not consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in new project assessments[22].

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)

Throughout 2020, APPEA has repeatedly called for further oil and gas exploration[23], welcomed government subsidies[24], and lobbied for weaker environmental regulation[25].

On 8 May, APPEA published a report calling for government support to develop “uneconomic or stranded” gas resources in order to extend the economic life of existing gas infrastructure[26].

“We believe that a successful future for Australian oil and gas will consist of developing the currently uneconomic or stranded discovered gas resources that abound through Australia’s hydrocarbon regions. Using this gas is vital to extending the economic life and utility of existing gas and LNG infrastructure and thus maximise value from these assets.”

— APPEA, Australia Oil & Gas Industry Outlook Report, May 2020

Throughout August 2020, APPEA advertised heavily through the Northern Territory election, in which fracking development was a key issue. While it is unclear how much money APPEA spent, the campaign included full-page newspaper advertisements (see examples below), and radio and TV commercials.

Image of a letter to Northern Territory voters that APPEA placed in the NT News in the lead up to the NT election 2020.

Image of a page of NT News newspaper, with a large color advertisement placed by APPEA, with the title 'Supporting a stronger NT'.

Examples of political advertising by APPEA during the Northern Territory election (July-August 2020)

On 27 August 2020, the Australian government introduced legislation to parliament to amend the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s (CEFC) definition of low-emissions technology to include “certain types of gas-fired electricity generation”[27]. The CEFC was originally created to co-invest in profit-making renewable energy projects with the private sector. This amendment to the CEFC’s mandate was a specific demand from APPEA in a submission to the Finkel review of the electricity market in March 2017[28].

On 14 September 2020, APPEA published a report called “Powering Australia’s Recovery”, that outlined six asks of government to promote economic recovery[29]:

  1. Cut corporate and petroleum taxes
  2. Reduce environmental regulation
  3. Promote oil and gas exploration
  4. Fast-track approvals for new projects
  5. No changes to domestic gas reservation
  6. Promote the export of Australian gas

On 15 September 2020, APPEA welcomed the federal government’s announcement of a support package for the gas industry, including plans to construct new gas-fired generation[30].

Queensland Resources Council (QRC)

On 14 May, the QRC welcomed the Queensland government’s release of 6,700 square kilometres of land for further gas exploration[31].

On 28 May, the QRC said the resources sector was key to economic recovery, confirming that it had already “secured some interim relief for exploration companies that are the key to the new coal, metal, gas and oil discoveries”[32].

On 23 June, the QRC welcomed government subsidies of $125 million for fossil fuel exploration[33].

On 26 July, the QRC called for government subsidies for coal and gas exploration, and for fast-tracked approvals of coal mining projects[34].

On 13 August, the QRC published a report that called for government support of $500 million for new gas pipeline infrastructure, incentives for further coal and gas exploration, amnesties from changes to royalties and taxes, and significant deregulation of the resources industry[35].

QRC advertisement banner, with big text, 'You can count on us to help Queensland recover'.

Example of advertising by the Queensland Resources Council ahead of the Queensland election on 31 October 2020 (ongoing)

On 31 August, the QRC launched an “unprecedented” four week advertising campaign ahead of the Queensland state election on 31 October 2020[36]. The “Count On Us” campaign is designed to address “a lack of awareness about the importance of the mining and gas industry to the Queensland economy”[37].

On 15 September, the QRC confirmed that it had influenced the Federal government’s announcement of subsidies for the gas industry, including funding plans for five new gas basins and potentially underwriting new gas pipelines[38].

“As the peak representative for coal, mineral and gas producers, explorers and developers, QRC has put forward an ambitious plan for a resources-supported recovery, and specifically for pipeline investment”.

—Ian Macfarlane, CEO of the Queensland Resources Council, 15 September 2020

Origin’s Approach to Industry Associations

To date, Origin has not spoken out against the Australian government's plans for a “gas-led recovery”, nor has it called for economic stimulus to be focused on a “clean” or “sustainable” recovery. The BCA[39], the Clean Energy Council and the Energy Efficiency Council publicly support “clean” or “sustainable” recovery measures, but these messages have been drowned out by pro-gas lobbying.

Origin’s 2020 review of industry associations “identified a lack of detail in APPEA’s climate change policy”[40], which was the same finding in its 2019 review[41]. In two years, Origin has apparently failed to induce any change in APPEA’s climate policy, let alone its advocacy.

Origin’s 2020 review of industry associations also found the QRC had “a stronger position on lowering carbon emissions and less vocal support for new coal-fired power stations”[42]. This is a very generous summary of the QRC’s progress, given its relentless advocacy for further fossil fuel expansion, including demands for government-subsidised new developments.

Neither APPEA nor the QRC support net zero emissions targets by 2050, and their advocacy for unconstrained gas expansion risks Australia’s chances of delivering its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Conclusion

Origin has repeatedly told shareholders that it is better to remain a member of obstructive industry associations, claiming that it will improve their advocacy on climate and energy policy. Despite some minor policy improvements, oppositional advocacy by these groups remains as problematic as ever. Origin’s approach has proven to be an utter failure for both the company and its shareholders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation through wide-ranging economic policy that can both support economic growth and address the climate challenge. If Origin is unwilling or unable to ensure that its industry associations support that transition, then it should not spend shareholders’ money on membership of such groups.

Note on Special Resolution

The Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act), as interpreted by courts, is not conducive to the right of shareholders to place ordinary resolutions on the agenda of the annual general meeting (AGM) of any listed company. While s249N of the Act sets out a general right of 100 shareholders or those with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at an AGM propose resolutions for discussion at the company AGM, courts have interpreted this provision to restrict these rights to the proposal of special resolutions, i.e., resolutions amending the company constitution (ACCR v CBA [2015] FCA 785; affirmed in ACCR v CBA [2016] FCAFC 80).

The solution to this problem, in practical terms, is for a group of members meeting the statutory threshold to propose one special resolution to amend the company constitution in order to permit the proposal of ordinary resolutions by members, followed by an ordinary resolution (or resolutions) on the issues of substantive engagement. This is the accepted ‘Australian way’ of proposing shareholder resolutions.

A special resolution requires 75% support to be legally effective, and no resolution of this kind has ever succeeded in Australia. In this legal environment, it is all but assured that contingent, ordinary resolutions proposed by members will have no legal force. ACCR, however, uses this method to compel non-binding votes of shareholders. A large vote on an ordinary resolution to an Australian-listed company can be highly persuasive, but is never binding on the company.

Further, ACCR’s preferred special resolution drafting limits the scope of permissible ordinary resolutions to advisory resolutions related to “an issue of material relevance to the company or the company's business as identified by the company.”

In combination, the restrictive Australian legal environment under the Act, and the conservative method proposed by ACCR, are extremely deferential to the management powers of a company board (as per s198A of the Act). Shareholders should have no concern that any resolution proposed by ACCR will legally compel the activities of any company board, nor limit any board's capacity to make decisions in the best interests of a company.

In this context, we encourage institutional investors to use the opportunity to vote on non-binding Australian shareholder resolutions to send a signal (without binding effect) to boards and management, in line with ambitious readings of their policies. This makes the situation in Australia the same as that in the US where similar shareholder proposals are advisory. In the UK, both directive and advisory proposals are possible.


  1. Jane Bardon, ‘NT traditional owners' concerns about fracking dominate Origin Energy AGM’, ABC News, 17 October 2018 ↩︎

  2. Brooke Fryer, ‘NT Traditional Owners protest against fracking at Origin Energy's AGM’, NITV, 16 October 2019 ↩︎

  3. Origin Energy Ltd, Response to Shareholder Resolutions, 26 September 2019 ↩︎

  4. Elizabeth Knight, ‘Rio Tinto looks to shelter from self-detonation’, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 2020 ↩︎

  5. Lizzie O’Shea, ‘Rio Tinto chief must resign after Aboriginal site demolition’, Nikkei Asian Review, 15 August 2020 ↩︎

  6. Origin Energy Ltd, Human Rights Policy, July 2020 ↩︎

  7. Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, Hydraulic Fracturing and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the Northern Territory: A Literature Review (2018), UTS ↩︎

  8. Report of the Independent Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, 28 November 2014 ↩︎

  9. Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018 ↩︎

  10. Origin Energy Ltd, Sustainability Report 2020 ↩︎

  11. IPCC, Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, October 2018 ↩︎

  12. APPEA, APPEA welcomes commitment to further consultation on Labor’s Climate Change Action Plan, 1 April 2019 ↩︎

  13. Business Council of Australia, Further climate policy detail welcomed, 1 April 2019 ↩︎

  14. Adam Morton, ‘UN climate talks: Australia accused of 'cheating' and thwarting global deal, The Guardian, 16 December 2019 ↩︎

  15. Origin Energy Ltd, Review of Industry Associations including climate change policy, August 2020 ↩︎

  16. Climate Analytics, Evaluating the significance of Australia’s global fossil fuel carbon footprint, July 2019 ↩︎

  17. David Crowe, ‘Morrison prepares a gas plan to boost economy out of the pandemic’, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 2020 ↩︎

  18. Phil Coorey, ‘PM backs gas-fired power station in NSW’, 14 September 2020 ↩︎

  19. Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, ‘A Fair Deal on Energy’ ↩︎

  20. Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, ‘Gas Markets’ ↩︎

  21. Tom McIlroy, ‘Guarantee gas pipeline projects to spur COVID recovery, Morrison told’, Australian Financial Review, 11 August 2020 ↩︎

  22. Queensland Resources Council, Submission to the Independent Review of the EPBC Act 1999, 24 April 2020 ↩︎

  23. ABC TV, Interview with Andrew McConville, 11 May 2020 ↩︎

  24. APPEA, ‘Exploration support welcomed’, 23 June 2020 ↩︎

  25. APPEA, ‘Green tape reform a top priority for oil and gas industry’, 14 July 2020 ↩︎

  26. APPEA, Australia Oil & Gas Industry Outlook Report, May 2020 ↩︎

  27. Adam Morton, ‘'Orwellian': Coalition accused of planning to open green bank to fossil fuel investments’, The Guardian, 28 August 2020 ↩︎

  28. APPEA, ‘Submission to the Preliminary Report of the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market, December 2016’, March 2017 ↩︎

  29. APPEA, Powering Australia’s Recovery, 14 September 2020 ↩︎

  30. APPEA, ‘Government recognises gas in economic recovery plan’, 15 September 2020 ↩︎

  31. Queensland Resources Council, ‘QRC welcomes more land for gas exploration’, 14 May 2020 ↩︎

  32. Queensland Resources Council, ‘Premier calls in QRC for resource role in Queensland COVID-19 recovery’, 28 May 2020 ↩︎

  33. Queensland Resources Council, ‘QRC welcomes Federal Government’s $125 million exploration boost’, 23 June 2020 ↩︎

  34. Queensland Resources Council, ‘QRC urges Queensland Government to copy WA plan for resource role in COVID-19 recovery’, 26 July 2020 ↩︎

  35. Queensland Resources Council, Resource Industry Recovery Agenda, June 2020 ↩︎

  36. Queensland Resources Council, ‘QLD can count on resources’, 31 August 2020 ↩︎

  37. ibid. ↩︎

  38. Queensland Resources Council, ‘Canberra answers QRC calls to hit the gas for COVID recovery’, 15 September 2020 ↩︎

  39. Business Council of Australia, ‘Building a stronger and cleaner post-pandemic Australia’, 25 May 2020 ↩︎

  40. Origin Energy Ltd, Review of Industry Associations including climate change policy, August 2020 ↩︎

  41. Origin Energy Ltd, Response to Shareholder Resolutions, 26 September 2019 ↩︎

  42. Origin Energy Ltd, Review of Industry Associations including climate change policy, August 2020 ↩︎