diff --git a/conflict-of-interest-policy.md b/conflict-of-interest-policy.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57be469 --- /dev/null +++ b/conflict-of-interest-policy.md @@ -0,0 +1,183 @@ +# Conflict of interest policy + +## Linux Australia Incorporated + +### 1. Purpose + +The purpose of this policy is to help committee members of Linux +Australia to effectively identify, disclose and manage any actual, +potential or perceived conflicts of interest in order to protect the +integrity of Linux Australia and manage risk. + +### 2. Objective + +The Linux Australia committee (called the ‘committee’ in this +policy) aims to ensure that committee members are aware of their +obligation to disclose any related party transactions or conflicts +of interest that they may have, and to comply with this policy to +ensure they effectively manage conflicts of interest as +representatives of Linux Australia. + +### 3. Scope + +This policy applies to the committee members of Linux Australia, +and the directors, treasurers and similar executive positions of +Linux Australia sub-committees. + +### 4. Definition of conflicts of interests + +A conflict of interest occurs when a person’s personal interests +conflict with their responsibility to act in the best interests of +the organisation. Personal interests include direct interests, as +well as those of family, friends, or other organisations a person +may be involved with or have an interest in (for example, as a +shareholder). + +It also includes a conflict between a committee member’s duty to +Linux Australia and another duty that the committee member has (for +example, to another organisation). A conflict of interest may be +actual, potential or perceived and may be financial or non-financial. + +Related party transactions can lead to perceived, potential, or +actual conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest may arise when +a related party (for example, close family of a committee member) +has an interest that can conflict with the best interests of the +organisation. + +These situations present the risk that a person will make a decision +based on, or affected by, these influences, rather than in the best +interests of the organisation. Therefore, these situations must be +managed accordingly. + +### 5. Policy + +This policy has been developed to address conflicts of interest +affecting Linux Australia. + +Conflict of interest are common, and they do not need to present a +problem to the organisation as long as they are openly and +effectively managed. + +It is the policy of Linux Australia, as well as a responsibility of +the committee, that ethical, legal, financial or other conflicts of +interest be avoided and that any such conflicts (where they do +arise) do not conflict with the obligations to Linux Australia. + +Linux Australia will manage conflicts of interest by requiring +committee members to: + +* avoid conflicts of interest where possible, +* identify and disclose any conflicts of interest, +* carefully manage any conflicts of interest, and +* follow this policy and respond to any breaches. + +#### 5.1. Responsibility of the committee + +The committee is responsible for: + +* establishing a system for identifying, disclosing and managing, + related party transactions and conflicts of interest across the + organisation, +* monitoring compliance with this policy, and +* reviewing this policy on an annual basis to ensure that the policy + is operating effectively. + +The organisation must ensure that its committee members are aware of +the ACNC Governance Standards, particularly Governance Standard 5, +and that they disclose any actual or perceived material conflicts of +interests as required by Governance Standard 5. + +#### 5.2. Identification and disclosure of conflicts of interest + +Once an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest is +identified, it must be entered into Linux Australia’s register of +interests, as well as being raised with the committee. + +If all committee members have the same conflict of interest, Linux +Australia must consider whether it is still able to comply with the +ACNC Governance Standards, especially Governance Standard 5, while +taking reasonable steps to ensure that its committee members are +subject to, and comply with, the relevant duties. + +Linux Australia may: + +* obtain professional advice, +* consider whether there are any relevant exceptions in its + governing document or legislation, +* consider whether it is appropriate for members to pass a + resolution in a general meeting, +* consider appointing new committee members; +* and note that its committee members may consider whether they can + continue in the role. + +The register of interests must be maintained by the Vice President. +The register must record information related to a conflict of +interest (including the nature and extent of the conflict of +interest and any steps taken to address it). + +Linux Australia will also maintain a register of related party +transactions. When a related party transaction may give rise to a +perceived, potential or actual conflict of interest, it will be +recorded in Linux Australia’s register of interests. + +#### 5.3. Confidentiality of disclosures + +The register of interests will be available for inspection by any +member of the organisation upon payment of a fee determined by the +committee. + +### 6. Action required for management of conflicts of interest + +#### 6.1. Conflicts of interest of committee members + +Once the conflict of interest has been appropriately disclosed, the +committee (excluding the committee member who has made the +disclosure, as well as any other conflicted committee member) must +decide whether or not those conflicted committee members should: + +* vote on the matter (this is a minimum), +* participate in any debate, +* or be present in the room during the debate and the voting. + +In exceptional circumstances, such as where a conflict is very +significant or likely to prevent a committee member from regularly +participating in discussions, it may be worth the committee +considering if it is appropriate for the person conflicted to resign +from the committee. + +#### 6.2. What should be considered when deciding what action to take + +In deciding what approach to take, the committee will consider: + +* whether the conflict needs to be avoided or simply documented, +* whether the conflict will realistically impair the disclosing + person’s capacity to impartially participate in decision-making, +* alternative options to avoid the conflict with the organisation’s + objects and resources, and +* the possibility of creating an appearance of improper conduct that + might impair confidence in, or the reputation of, the organisation. + +The approval of any action requires the agreement of at least a +majority of the committee (excluding any conflicted committee +member/s) who are present and voting at the meeting. The action and +result of the voting will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting +and in the register of interests. + +### 7. Compliance with this policy + +If the committee has a reason to believe that a person subject to +the policy has failed to comply with it, it will investigate the +circumstances. + +If it is found that this person has failed to disclose a related +party transaction or conflict of interest, the committee may take +action against them. This may include seeking to terminate their +relationship with the organisation. + +If a person suspects that a committee member has failed to disclose +a related party transaction or conflict of interest, they must +notify the committee. + +## Contacts + +For questions about this policy, contact the committee.