½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas released its latest report outlining decisions on relief applications covering the period 1 October 2014 to 30 January 2015.
Businesses frequently approach ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþfor assistance to help make the law work better for them. ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþuses its discretion to vary or set aside certain requirements of the law where there is a net regulatory benefit or where ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþcan facilitate business or cut red tape without harming other stakeholders.
This is a key part of ASIC's function and between 1 October 2014 to 30 January 2015, ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþapproved 542 relief applications.
Report 435 Overview of decisions on relief applications (October 2014 to January 2015) (REP 435), aims to improve the level of transparency and the quality of publicly available information about decisions ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþmakes when asked to exercise its discretionary powers to grant relief from provisions of the:
- Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act), or
- National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (National Credit Act)
REP 435 also discusses the various relevant publications released by ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþduring the four months.
The report summarises examples of situations where ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas exercised, or refused to exercise, its exemption and modification powers under the Corporations Act. The report also highlights instances where ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas considered adopting a no-action position regarding specified non-compliance with statutory provisions.
Finally, the report provides examples of decisions that demonstrate how ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas applied its policy in practice which ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþthinks will be of particular interest for capital market participants and for participants in the financial services industry. The report includes an appendix detailing the relief instruments referred to in the report.
Background
½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþcan modify or set aside certain provisions of Chapters 2D (officers and employees), 2G (meetings), 2M (financial reporting and audit), 5C (managed investment schemes), 6 (takeovers), 6D (fundraising) and 7 (financial services) of the Corporations Act.
In limited situations, ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþmay also consider providing a no-action letter when instances of non-compliance with certain statutory provisions have been brought to ASIC’s attention. A no-action letter states to a particular person that ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþdoes not intend to take regulatory action over a particular state of affairs or particular conduct. The factors that ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþwill consider when dealing with a request for a no-action letter is set out in Regulatory Guide 108 No-action letters (RG 108).
½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþpublishes a copy of most of the relief instruments issued in the ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþGazette. Credit instruments are available from the ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþwebsite under credit relief.
Applying for relief
Applications for relief must be in writing and should address the requirements set out in Regulatory Guide 51 Applications for relief (RG 51) (and any other Regulatory Guides relevant to the application).
Applications can be submitted electronically to applications@asic.gov.au. Fees are applicable for relief applications.