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Ethical standards
Our Board has adopted policies addressing the
Country Energy Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest,
gifts, protected disclosures, privacy and other ethical
standards. These policies apply equally to the Board,
management, employees and contractors.
Code of conduct
No changes were made this year to the Code of
Conduct, which was introduced in December 2002.
The code applies to all of our directors as well as
management, employees, consultants and contractors
who represent or undertake duties for the company.
During the next 12 months, the code will be reviewed
to incorporate a Code of Ethics and ensure it is more
relevant to all employees.
Freedom of information
During the year, 14 applications were received under
the Freedom of Information Act 1989.
Number of applications received 14
Applications granted in full 9
Applications partially granted 1
Applications denied 4
No major issues arose in relation to our annual reporting
compliance under the Act.
Fair and unbiased recruitment
A fair and unbiased recruitment and selection process
is at the forefront of our employment program.
To ensure employees have the opportunity to advance
their careers, positions are advertised internally through
our regular recruitment bulletin. External recruitment is
undertaken if we are unable to attract suitably qualified
internal applicants or require new skills.
Licence compliance
Licence compliance annual reports for our gas,
electricity retail and distributor licences and safety
performance were submitted to the Department of
Energy, Utilities and Sustainability and the Independent
Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
As a contestable retailer in South Australia, Victoria and
Queensland, compliance reports were also submitted
to the energy regulator in each of these states, in
accordance with current guidelines.
Property disposal
Six items of property were disposed of this year, with
a combined value of $333,726. All were considered
surplus to our operations and the proceeds were used
to fund capital works projects. Access to documents
relating to the disposal of land can be obtained under
the Freedom of Information Act.
Controlled entities
EMMLINK Pty Limited (ACN 085 123 468)
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Country Energy
established in 1998 to undertake the Directlink project,
a 50/50 joint venture between EMMLINK Pty Limited
and Hydro Quebec International Australia. Directlink is a
major transmission project between Mullumbimby and
Terranora in north eastern New South Wales, forming
an entrepreneurial interstate interconnector within the
national electricity market.
Country Energy Gas Pty Limited (formerly Great
Southern Energy Gas Networks Pty Limited) (ACN
083 199 839)
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Country Energy
established in 1997 by Great Southern Energy
to distribute and retail gas in Wagga Wagga and
surrounding areas.
NorthPower Energy Services Pty Limited
(ACN 075 619 895)
A wholly-owned non-operating subsidiary of Country
Energy.
COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005