An open letter to the Board of Powerlifting Australia

Monday 22nd of November 2021

I am a financial member of Powerlifting Australia and I wrote an open letter to the Board of directors requesting information about several governance and management issues. The letter is reproduced below. In the interests of transparency, I will publish any reply from the Board.

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22 November 2021

Attention:
Arron Dehlsen
Alistair Hardie
Piero Sacchetta
Brett Smartt
Robert Wilks
(as individually addressed)

Dear Board members

I am a financial member of Powerlifting Australia (PA) and I am writing to raise a number of issues in relation to the governance and operations of the organisation.

On 8 August 2021, the Board issued a statement on Facebook regarding several organisational matters. There has been no communication to members since about these matters. The only communication I have received since August is about forthcoming competitions. I am therefore seeking an update on the following issues:

External investigation

In the August statement, the Board announced an external investigation was underway due to a membership protection complaint against Mr Robert Wilks. Can you advise who was appointed to conduct the investigation, the independence of that person and if it has concluded? If it is still in progress, when do you anticipate that it will be finalised? These are factual matters about the process and are not confidential or personally sensitive.

Acting CEO

In the same statement, the Board announced Mr Robert Wilks voluntarily stepped down as CEO of Powerlifting Australia effective from 8 August 2021. Mr Matthew McKay then took on the role of acting CEO from 8 to 10 August 2021.

Can you please advise who has been the Acting CEO since 10 August 2021 and responsible for administering Powerlifting Australia in accordance with the constitution, regulations and all policies of the organisation. Can you please advise whether the Acting CEO’s responsibilities also include oversight of the external investigation and if this is not the case, who is responsible for the external investigation in PA.

Changes to Board of directors

I note the composition of the Board significantly changed in August/September. Can you please advise the process for the nomination and appointment of successful candidates. I also note the current Board comprises all male directors. Is any consideration being given to improving the Board’s gender diversity in line with the Sports Australia Governance Principles?

Annual General Meeting

I note that a General Meeting of PA was held on 18 November 2021. I did not receive any notice of the meeting or the directors’ report and the 2020/2021 accounts to members which should accompany such a notice.  Can you please send me a copy of a valid notice of meeting and the directors’ report and the 2020/2021 accounts to members. It my understanding that under the Corporations Act 2001, members of a company limited by guarantee are entitled to a financial report and directors' report and are entitled to request a copy of these reports.

Notice of the General Meeting

Under PA’s constitution, notice of the General Meeting needs to be given at least 60 days priot to the General Meeting. Can you please advise when members were directly notified either via email or correspondence of the General Meeting in accordance with this provision?

Membership renewal

My PA membership expires at the end of the year, and I am considering whether I will renew my membership. Your response to the issues I have raised will help inform my decision.

In summary, I am seeking responses to the following:

  1. Status of the external investigation and its independence due to a membership protection complaint against Mr Robert Wilks.
  2. Advice on who is the acting CEO and who has responsibility for oversight of the external investigation in PA.
  3. Advice on the nomination and appointment process for the new directors appointed in August/September and whether improvements will be made to the Board’s gender diversity.
  4. A copy of the directors’ report and the 2020/2021 accounts.
  5. Advice on when members were directly notified of the General Meeting on 18 November 2021 at least 60 days prior to the General Meeting.

Participation in sport should be safe for all and people in sport treated with respect and dignity. Sport is a key contributor to cohesive and healthy communities. No matter the size of a sport, good governance matters. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Maria Katsonis