Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012

If a co-operative’s auditor or their representative is at the meeting, the chairperson of an annual general meeting of the co-operative must—

allow a reasonable opportunity for the members as a whole at the meeting to ask the auditor or the auditor’s representative questions relevant to—

the conduct of the audit; and

the preparation and content of the auditor’s report; and

the accounting policies adopted by the co-operative in relation to the preparation of the financial statements; and

the independence of the auditor in relation to the conduct of the audit; and

allow a reasonable opportunity for the auditor or their representative to answer written questions submitted to the auditor.

Maximum penalty—$500.

An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

If—

the co-operative’s auditor or their representative is at the meeting; and

the auditor has prepared a written answer to a written question submitted to the auditor;

the chairperson of the annual general meeting may permit the auditor or their representative to table the written answer to the written question.

The co-operative must make the written answer tabled under subsection (3) reasonably available to members as soon as practicable after the annual general meeting.

Maximum penalty (for subsection (4)): $500.