An overview of directors' obligations and accountability standards for government public business enterprises in the 1990s

The move by governments to adopt private sector models of organisational structures for Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) has raised questions about the accountability of GBE directors. The Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Bill 1994 (Cth) (CAC Bill) formally proposes that GBEs follow the private sector accountability model established under the Corporations Law and, by implication, relevant judicial interpretation of that law.
This paper presents an overview of the duties of directors of GBEs under the CAC Bill and the Corporations Law, including relevant judicial interpretation of the Corporations Law. It also examines mechanisms within organisations which directors can put in place to help them fulfil their legal duties.