Discretionary considerations
7 The Court also exercises a "discretionary power": Re Dorman, Long & Co Ltd [1934] Ch 635 at 655 and noted in Group Four Industries at 684A to C.
8 I have had regard to the five considerations which courts have taken into account as informing their discretion whether or not to approve a scheme. These were referred to by the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee and noted in Re Seven Network Ltd (No 3) (2010) 267 ALR 583 at [35]-[39]. They are in summary as follows:
(i) Whether the members have voted in good faith and not for an improper purpose.
(ii) Whether the proposal is fair and reasonable so that an intelligent and honest man or woman who was a member of the relevant class, properly informed and acting alone might approve it.
(iii) Whether the plaintiff has brought to the Court's attention under the ex parte disclosure principle all information relevant to the exercise of the Court's discretion.
(iv) Whether there has been full and frank disclosure of all information material to the members' decision.
(v) Whether minority shareholders would be oppressed by the scheme.
9 I am satisfied that there is nothing to suggest that members or optionholders voted other than in good faith or that they cast their votes for an improper purpose, nor anything which casts doubt on the procedural integrity of the meeting process.
10 The Independent Expert's Report by Grant Samuel & Associates Pty Limited (Report), expresses the opinion that the merger is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of Avoca's shareholders and optionholders. There is no contrary evidence and nothing in the Report on its face that suggests that the opinions expressed lacks validity. Fairness may also be inferred from the obtaining of the statutory majorities for the scheme in the circumstances of adequate and verified disclosure on the basis that those voting are the best judges of their own interest. The reasonableness of the scheme was prima facie established at the first court hearing under the Eastment principle. This of course was subject always to new matters being brought to the Court's attention at the second court hearing. No relevant new matters have been identified.
11 The actual Scheme Booklet and the sworn verification of the factual information in the Scheme Booklet are in evidence. There is criticism of disclosure made on behalf of one shareholder, Granic Pty Ltd, which Avoca submits and I find, for reasons which follow, is without substance. I infer from the actual text of the disclosure in the Scheme Booklet and the fact that there is no criticism of the disclosure by any regulatory body or optionholder, that full and adequate disclosure has been made.
12 By letter addressed to my associate, dated 29 January 2011, Mr John Fielding, a director of Granic Pty Ltd, which is a shareholder in Avoca, set out a complaint in relation to disclosure. Mr Fielding forwarded a copy of this letter to ASIC which in turn brought it to the attention of Avoca. In summary, the complaint is that disclosure in the Scheme Booklet is inadequate because it fails to state that one effect of the merger is that franked dividends will not be available in the future as shares will be held in a Canadian company rather than an Australian company.
13 Avoca responded to ASIC by email of 31 January 2011. I am satisfied that the issue of franking credits is not materially relevant for disclosure. Avoca has never paid a dividend, nor has Anatolia, and Anatolia has no short to medium term intention of doing so after the merger. The merged group will have a number of exploration and development assets which will require capital expenditure. Both the Avoca and Anatolia securities before and after the merger are capital growth securities and not dividend securities. The Canadian taxation position on sale of the securities, and on any dividends should they ever be declared, is disclosed.
14 In a situation where Avoca has never paid a dividend and the merged entity does not intend to do so in the short to medium term, in my opinion, the fact that franked dividends will not be available as a result of the merger, is not a material fact requiring disclosure.
15 Shareholders and optionholders have been told, under "Intentions" in Section 7.5(f), page 72 of the Scheme Booklet, that they should not expect any dividends in the short to medium term. Under Section 9.4, on page 91 of the Scheme Booklet, Canadian tax considerations are disclosed - Section 9.4(iii) discloses Canadian tax on dividends. Of particular relevance is the disclosure, in Section 9.4(iv), of the Canadian capital gains tax consequences for non-Canadian holders of securities.
16 Avoca referred the complaint to the Independent Expert and to the Tax expert for comment. Both have indicated that nothing in the letter of complaint causes them to add to, or change any matter in their respective reports. Their conclusion, in that respect, seems to me to be well-founded for the reasons I have discussed.
17 I find for these reasons that the criticism made on behalf of Granic Pty Ltd has no substance.
18 There is no suggestion in the evidence that the proposed scheme would work an oppression against minority shareholders.
19 A further consideration identified in Seven Network at [40] is whether the scheme offends public policy. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has provided a s 411(17)(b) statement. It did not appear at the second court hearing. ASIC has not raised any "public policy" concern and there is nothing on the face of the proposal which would suggest that there should be such a concern.