That is how Murray Irrigation chairman Phil Snowden has responded to attempts to have the company’s two non-member directors removed from the board.
After several weeks of trying to quell disquiet in his board, Mr Snowden announced on on Friday that attempts to rectify the situation through dispute resolution has failed.
As part of the process, board members were given until Monday this week to “honour a series of milestones and behaviours“.
Because this has been unsuccessful, a general meeting will be called for April.
Shareholders will be asked to vote on whether to remove non-member directors Trisha Gorman and Robert Burbury from the board.
The motion was moved by member directors Steven Fawns, Troy Mauger and Brendan Barry - the three directors inducted at the November AGM.
“The general meeting is expected to be held in early April 2024,” MIL chairman Phil Snowden said in the shareholder update issued Friday.
“A hybrid voting model, similar to that of last year’s annual general meeting, will be provided.
“Formal meeting details, including resolutions, date, time and statements from the independent directors will be provided to shareholders as soon as possible.
“I encourage all shareholders to participate in the general meeting process and vote in the best interest of Murray Irrigation and your business.”
In a follow up shareholder update issued yesterday, Mr Snowden said he felt the resolutions were “unwarranted and are not supported by the majority of the Murray Irrigation Board”.
“The resolutions are not a reflection of the expertise or contribution of our non-member directors, whose skills have been verified by an independent third party to align with the board strategy, who have diligently contributed strong, independent corporate expertise and perspective to the board table, and who were endorsed by shareholders just 12 months ago,” he said in the update.
“We have heard shareholder feedback that you do not wish to go to a general meeting and for the board to get on with the job.
“All efforts have been made to do this. Unfortunately, the requisitioning directors are the only ones who can put a stop to a general meeting by withdrawing these resolutions.”
Mr Snowden said anyone seeking clarification on the motion and the pending general meeting should speak with Murray Irrigation directors and management to “fully understand the consequences to you as shareholders, your farm businesses, the community and the future of Murray Irrigation if these resolutions are successful”.
“I urge shareholders to have your voice heard and to vote in this general meeting. Your future is in your hands,” Mr Snowden said.
