The group is run by a small steering committee made up of long term shareholders who volunteer their time.
It was initially formed in 1994 as a result of the initiative by two Victorian shareholders, Alan Bull and John Graf, who were alarmed by reports of the damage to the Fly River by wastes from BHP's Ok Tedi mine. They handed out leaflets to shareholders going into that year's Annual General Meeting.
Some support was given by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Community Aid Abroad, and Uniting Church, who publicised the group's existence and exchanged material.
The group develops its ideas independently. It depends on input from people close to, involved with, and affected by BHP operations. It relies heavily on the expertise of environmental and social justice organisations for background material.
Given the spread of our members over Australia, and overseas, it is not practicable to meet as a group.
The core members in Victoria have met as needed in Melbourne.
Members and proxies organised by the members have attended BHP's AGMs to ask questions.
Several meetings have been held with BHP.
We seek support and suggestions from shareholders who wish to see BHP prosper, but not at the price of unacceptable environmental or social costs.
Costs.
Costs have been largely limited to a small number of mailings each year, and phone calls.
The group requests a donation of $15 per year from members to cover this.
However, if you cannot afford this, but hold BHP shares and share the concerns of the group, we would still like to hear from you. You can help us by providing proxies which enable us to brief speakers for AGMs held in other states.
Support.
Support can be as simple as reading the papers delivered by BHP prior to General Meetings, then voting in favour of resolutions which promote ethical and environmental improvements, by completing the voting sheet and posting it back to the company.
Stronger support can be offered by registering your name with the group so that you will receive occasional newsletters.
It requires a minimum of 100 shareholders to put up a resolution for the AGM. A larger number makes it clear that the resolution has serious support. If you are on our mailing list as a member of the group you will be able to assist in developing and requisitioning resolutions for General Meetings.
Who do we represent?
The group currently consists people who invest for their financial future, but who also wish to feel comfortable as to the long term results of the way our income is earned.
Many have substantial shareholdings, as individuals go. Many are professionals nearing or in retirement.
Our interests lie in the multiple issues of financial, environmental, and social returns. Some in the financial media have sought to paint activist shareholder groups as 'single issue' groups. We believe that it is they who are limited to a single issue.
The group seeks to represent shareholders of serious intent, holding marketable parcels, and investing for the long term.
The group discourages the purchase of less than marketable parcels of shares simply for the purpose of stirring.
The group seeks to develop responsible resolutions and welcomes suggestions in this regard.
The group seeks to develop dialogue with the company, and with government, in order to develop a stronger longer term future for our investment, and for the land, water and atmosphere that we hope to pass on to our descendents .
The group does not offer advice on share transactions.
For this you should talk to your broker, advisors, or to the Australian Stock Exchange.
email us by clicking here.
web address |
http://www.bhpethical.shares.green.net.au | ||
email address |
bhpethical@green.net.au | ||
| tel. | (03) 9807 1262 | ||
| fax. | (03) 9807 5042 | ||
| post. | BHP Shareholders for Social Responsibility
23 Wadham Pde., Mt. Waverley, Vic 3149 |
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There are Green or Ethical Shareholders' Groups for other companies in Australia.
To contact these groups click here.
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