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QUESTION: In ASIC v Healey [2011] FCA 717 at [14] Middleton J stated:
A director is an essential component of corporate governance. Each director is placed at the apex of the structure of director and management of a company. The higher the office held by a person, the greater the responsibility that falls on him or her. The role of a director is significant as their actions may have a profound effect on the community, and not just shareholders, employees and creditors.

Under the Corporations Act 2001 anyone who is over 18 and not disqualified can be a director. Is it appropriate that there be no qualifications for directors? Should there be different requirements for directors of proprietary companies and directors of public companies?

ANSWER
Sections 201B(1) and 201B(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 stipulate that directors must satisfy a minimum age requirement of 18 years and are ineligible for appointment if they are disqualified from managing corporations. This qualifies a large proportion of the Australian population. Nonetheless, it is appropriate that there be no qualifications for directors; the corporate form should be available to everyone. The onerous obligations imposed on directors set a high benchmark for Australian directorship. To require positive qualifications would disqualify many competent directors. Qualifications would be inappropriate in many business contexts because the skills required of directors are specific to the corporation. Directors can rely on the expertise of employees with legal and financial qualifications in the performance of their duties. If qualifications were imposed on directors, a higher standard should be required of those in public companies.

The actions of directors have a profound influence on the community, yet ‘[a director] is not bound to bring any special qualifications to his office.’ In AWA Ltd v

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