The Unitholders' Agreement
RECITALS:
D. The parties wish to regulate their conduct in respect of the Trust and Trustee Company, in accordance with this Agreement.
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, the following capitalised words are defined as follows in this Agreement:
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(ee) Major Policy Issues means the matters set out in Schedule 3;
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(ss) Unanimous Resolution means a resolution passed by one hundred per cent (100%) of the votes cast by the Unitholders entitled to vote on the resolution;
3. OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
3.1 Objectives of this Agreement
This Agreement regulates the relationship of the Unitholders (in both their capacity as Unitholders and as Shareholders) and sets out the arrangements between them for the ownership, governance and operation of the Trustee Company and the Trust and the conduct of the Business.
3.2 Business Objectives
The parties agree that the objectives of the Trustee Company and Trust are:
(a) to carry on the Business;
(b) to maximise profits;
(c) to achieve outstanding long term returns to the Unitholders;
(d) the active pursuit of opportunities for the Business in Australia and throughout the world; and
(e) to do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
7. DECISION MAKING BY UNITHOLDERS AND SHAREHOLDERS
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7.8 Major Policy Issues
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Trustee Company must not effect any decision in respect of any Major Policy Issues unless first approved by Unanimous Resolution by the Unitholders.
(b) Any decision in relation to a Major Policy Issue which is not approved by Unitholders by Unanimous Resolution is void and of no effect.
13. DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE
13.1 Meaning of Fair Market Value
In this Agreement "Fair Market Value" for a Unit (Relevant Unit) means the fair market value for that Relevant Unit on a going concern basis as at the date of offer or deemed offer to sell or subscribe for that Relevant Unit, on the premise that:
(a) all of the Units are subject to sale between willing, but not anxious, vendors and a willing, but not anxious, purchaser dealing at arm's length; and
(b) by reference to past accounts and current management figures and forecasts for the Trustee Company and Trust;
(c) taking into account past and prospective earnings and underlying net asset values of the Trust;
(d) from the value attributed to all of those Units, the value of that Relevant Unit will be pro-rated accordingly.
13.2 Determination of Fair Market Value
(a) The Fair Market Value must be determined by the Trustee Company Accountant, adopting the method of valuation that the Trustee Company Accountant considers reasonably appropriate, with consideration of the following matters;
(i) the matters set out in clause 13.1;
(ii) without regard to whether a majority or minority interest is being sold (if applicable);
(iii) applying generally accepted valuation principles.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the Trustee Company must use reasonable endeavours to procure that a determination of the Fair Market Value of Units by the Trustee Company Accountant occur within (1) month of:
(i) in respect of clause 10.4, the giving of the Notice of Sale; or
(ii) in respect of clause 11, the date the Event of Default occurs.
(c) In making a determination, the Trustee Company Accountant acts as an expert and not as an arbitrator, and the Trustee Company Account's decision will be final and binding on the Unitholders except in the case of manifest error.
(d) Each Unitholder:
(i) must provide the Trustee Company Accountant with full access to relevant books and records and any information required by the Trustee Company Accountant to complete its determination of the Fair Market Value; and
(ii) may make written submissions to the Trustee Company Accountant in respect of the matter being determined.
(e) The costs of the Trustee Company Accountant will be borne by the Trust.
(f) Upon the Trustee Company Accountant making, a determination, the Trustee Company must procure that the Company Accountant give the determination in writing to the Trustee Company, and the Trustee Company must serve the same on all Unitholders.
SCHEDULE 3- MAJOR POLICY ISSUES
The following issues are to be determined by the Unitholders, by Unanimous Resolution:
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3. agreement by the Trustee to the sale, transfer, lease, assignment, disposal or acquisition of Trust assets or entry into any contract to do so where the market value of such assets or the consideration in respect of the sale or acquisition of such assets is in excess of $50,000
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6. the Trustee entering into borrowings or other financial accommodation resulting in total financial accommodation to, or borrowings of, the Trustee exceeding $50,000.
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