Amazing volumes, page-22

Perhaps remind them of their legal obligations to their shareholders.

While a company must allow anyone to inspect the register (s 173(1)), the Corporations Act 2001 restricts the right to obtain a copy of a register (s 173(3) and (3A)) and the use of information obtained from a register (s 177). Members have the right to inspect the register without charge (s 173(2)). Other people may inspect the register only on payment of the fee (up to a maximum amount prescribed by the Corporations Regulations 2001) required by the company. The prescribed fee will depend on the number of members about whom information is provided. Under s 173(3), the company must provide a copy of the register or a part of the register to either a member or another person provided that the person makes an application in a prescribed manner and pays the prescribed fee. An application for a copy of a register must: • state each purpose for which the person is accessing a copy (none of which must be an ‘improper purpose’, and • include the name and address of the applicant. The company can refuse to provide a copy where the stated purpose is an improper purpose as provided in the Corporations Regulations 2001.