Virtual AGMs and e-signing measures extended and permanent changes on the way

Last year, temporary COVID-19 amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) were introduced permitting:

• the use of technology to hold meetings, including Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
• electronic and split execution of documents by company officers.

These reforms were designed to provide regulatory relief and flexibility to companies now forced to operate in a socially-distanced world (which we wrote about here). As the pandemic rolled on, the relief - which was initially scheduled to expire in November 2020 - was extended to 21 March 2021 (as we discussed here).

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has now announced the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021 (Cth) (Bill) which seeks to extend this relief for a further six months to 16 September 2021, but with some changes. Companies should monitor these developments and ensure they're up to date with the changes.