Board committees

Committee purpose

The Mission Australia Board has overall responsibility for the financial performance of the Mission Australia Group and the achievement of its founding purpose. The Board Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) is a standing committee of and appointed by the Board of Mission Australia and is recognised by the Boards of its controlled entities.

Areas of oversight

The BARC provides oversight of key governance areas:

• Maintaining oversight of the integrity of the Mission Australia Group's statutory financial reports and statements;
• Monitoring the performance of the external audit and internal assurance activities of the Mission Australia Group;
• Monitoring that Management has an appropriate framework in place to identify and effectively manage risk and that Management ensures that the Mission Australia Group operates in accordance with the Enterprise Risk and Assurance Framework;
• Monitoring compliance with regulatory, contractual, legal and ethical standards; and
• Reviewing compliance with internal guidelines, policies and procedures and other prescribed internal standards.

Committee membership

The BARC is chaired by Joanna White (Chair), supported by MA Board Members Ian Hammond (Ex Officio), Lindsay Smartt and Ruth Martin.

Charter and governance

The Board Audit and Risk Committee operates under a Charter approved by the Board (PDF).

Meetings and participation

Meetings are held quarterly. Attendees usually include the

• Board Chairperson
• Chief Executive Officer
• Executive of Finance and Technology
• General Manager Enterprise Risk and Assurance
• External Auditor KPMG 
• General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Committee purpose

The People, Culture and Remuneration Committee is appointed by the Mission Australia Board to support its corporate governance responsibilities as outlined in the Mission Australia Board Governance Charter (PDF). 

Role and responsibilities

The Committee provides guidance on a range of people-related matters, including:

• Reviewing the composition of the Board to ensure members bring the necessary skills and experience
• Making recommendations on executive succession planning
• Advising on remuneration policies and practices that align with Mission Australia’s purpose and values
• Promoting effective risk management through people and culture practices

Committee membership

The Committee is chaired by Debra Stirling, with support from Board Members Ian Hammond (Chairman) and Nancy Fox AM. 

Charter and governance

The People, Culture and Remuneration Committee operates under a Charter approved by the Board (PDF).

Meetings and participation

Meetings are held every three to four months. Regular attendees include:

• Chief Executive Officer
• General Counsel and Company Secretary
• Executive, People and Culture

Committee purpose

The Impact Committee is appointed by the Board to assist it to monitor Mission Australia’s progress in achieving its Founding Purpose as expressed in the organisational goal to end homelessness and ensure people and communities in need can thrive.

Areas of focus

The Committee gives particular focus to:

• Building and learning from evidence
• Advocating for evidence-based whole-of-system changes
• Amplifying the voices of lived experience
• Working through collaboration with communities and partners

Committee members

The Impact Committee is chaired by Dr Duncan Rintoul supported by:

• Ian Hammond (Chairman, by invitation)
• Jacqueline Kelly
• Elle Davidson – also representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• Dr Rebecca Sng 

Charter and governance

The Service Impact Committee operates under a Charter approved by the Board (PDF).

Meeting frequency and attendees

Meetings are held every three to four months. Regular attendees include:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Executive – Practice, Evidence and Impact 
• General Counsel & Company Secretary

Committee purpose

The Clinical, Quality and Safety Committee (CQSC) is appointed by the Mission Australia Board to ensure that effective and accountable systems are in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of aged care services. This is guided by Mission Australia’s Clinical and Care Governance Framework, the Aged Care Quality Commission, and relevant Aged Care Standards.

Roles and responsibilities

The Board authorises the CQSC to:

• Make recommendations to the Board
• Approve any professional advisers needed to support its duties 
• Investigate matters referred by the Board or raised for its attention

All CQSC members serve in an advisory capacity and do not hold management roles, except where they are Mission Australia Executives or senior leaders.

Committee members

The CQSC is chaired by Dr Jon Hayman, supported by:

• Ian Hammond (Chairman, by invitation)
• Sharon Callister (CEO)
• Joanna White (MA Board Member and BARC Chair, by invitation)
• Jill Linklater (External Clinical Adviser)
• Marion Bennett (Executive – Practice, Evidence & Impact)
• Ben Carblis (Deputy CEO)
• Stephen Brooker (GM – Aged Care)

Charter and governance

The CQSC operates under the CQSC Charter approved by the Board (PDF). The Committee has also reviewed its aged care governance structure to better incorporate advocacy insights from aged care residents.

Meeting frequency and attendees

Meetings are held three times a year. Regular attendees include:

• Executive – Finance and Technology
• General Counsel and Company Secretary
• General Manager – Enterprise Risk and Assurance

Committee purpose

The Strategic Housing Growth Committee (SHGC) is appointed by the Mission Australia Board as a committee of the Board and recognised by the Boards of its controlled entities including the Housing Boards. The SHGC assists the Board to oversee, assess and provide strategic direction over strategic Housing Growth opportunities and projects considered and undertaken by Mission Australia Group entities.

Roles and responsibilities

The Board authorises the SHGC to:

• Review and make recommendations to the Boards on Strategic Housing Growth projects and opportunities;
• Oversee and monitor the progress of Strategic Housing Growth projects and opportunities;
• Consider the capital management strategy and capital of the Mission Australia Group available for investment when making recommendations on Strategic Housing Growth projects and opportunities;
• Review and make recommendations to the Boards in respect of governance and corporate and organisational structuring changes to the Mission Australia Group as part of Strategic Housing Growth projects and opportunities;

Committee membership

The SHGC is chaired by Nancy Fox AM, supported by:

• Ian Hammond
• Joanna White
• Ian Robins
• Debra Stirling
• Kate Heaney
• Lindsay Smartt

Charter and governance

The Strategic Housing Growth Committee operates under a Charter approved by the Board.

Meetings and attendees

Meetings are held six times per year. Regular attendees include:

• The CEO
• The Deputy CEO
• The CFO
• The Company Secretary
• Executive General Manager – Housing Growth