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FY2019 Annual Report · Healthcare Trust of America inc
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Hutchison Telecommunications 
(Australia) Limited 
ABN 15 003 677 227 
Level 1, 177 Pacific Highway 
North Sydney, NSW 2060 
(02) 9015 5088 
Tel: 
Fax: 
(02) 9015 5034 
www.hutchison.com.au 

ASX Market Announcements 

Australian Securities Exchange 

Date: 27 March 2020 

Subject:  2019 Annual Report  

The  2019  Annual  Report  for  Hutchison  Telecommunications  (Australia)  Limited 
incorporating the full year financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019, 
is attached. 

Yours faithfully 

Naomi Dolmatoff 
Company Secretary 

AUTHORISED FOR RELEASE: By order of the Board 

For  further  information,  please  contact  the  Company  Secretary  by  email  at  investors@hutchison.com.au  or  by 
telephone on (02) 9015 5088.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
Annual Report

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Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited 
(“HTAL” or the “Company”) (ASX: HTA) has a 50% 
interest in Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited 
(“VHA”). HTAL was listed on the ASX in 1999 and 
in 2003 launched Australia’s first 3G service under 
the 3 brand.  

In 2009, HTAL’s operations were merged with 
Vodafone Australia to form VHA. VHA offers 
mobile telecommunications under the Vodafone 
brand in Australia.

AGM Details

The Annual General Meeting 
of HTAL will be held at:

177 Pacific Highway 
North Sydney NSW 2060

Thursday 7 May 2020  
at 10.00 am 

ABN 15 003 677 227 

Contents
Ownership Structure 
VHA Key Operational Highlights in 2019 
Financial Summary 
Chairman’s Message 
Board of Directors 
Corporate Governance 
Directors’ Report 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration 
Financial Report 
Independent Auditor’s Report 
Shareholder Information 
Corporate Directory 

i
ii
iii
iv
2
4
9
17
18
46
52
54

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Ownership Structure

HTAL owns 50% of VHA. Vodafone 
Group Plc owns the remaining 50%. 
CK Hutchison Holdings Limited is 
the majority shareholder of HTAL, 
with an 87.87% stake#. 

87.87%#

CK HUTCHISON  
HOLDINGS LIMITED

10%

2.13%

SPARK NEW ZEALAND  
TRADING LIMITED

PUBLIC SHAREHOLDERS 

HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS  
(AUSTRALIA) LIMITED

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

50%#

50%#

#  

Indirect ownership.

i

VHA Key Operational 
Highlights in 2019

6.9%

EBITDA growth YoY

245.5%

Fixed customers 
growth YoY

Postpaid 
customers 
remained 
stable

ii

Vodafone Foundation’s app 
has been downloaded by

320,000

Users globally
and launched in 5 Vodafone markets

Leading NPS

Highest NPS score every 
month throughout 2019, 
with a lead of 2 to 10 points 
over nearest competitor

Low complaints rate 

TIO complaints were less than 
half the industry average

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Financial Summary

VHA recorded 6.9 per cent YoY EBITDA growth 
in 2019, despite uncertainty caused by the ACCC’s 
decision to oppose the VHA-TPG merger and the 
Huawei ban. In 2020, VHA looks forward to 
implementing the merger, subject to further 
approvals, following the Federal Court ruling to 
allow the merger, and rolling out its 5G network.  

VHA financial and operating metrics

2019

2018

YoY change
 %

The items below represent the 50% share of VHA attributable to HTAL

Total revenue ($m)

Service revenue ($m)1 

EBITDA ($m)2

Net EBITDA adjustment AASB 163

Net EBITDA without AASB 16

Share of net loss of VHA ($m)4 

  Net loss adjustment AASB 163

  Net loss without AASB 16

Leading NPS

The following items represent 100% of VHA’s operating metrics

Postpaid customers (’000)

  Prepaid customers (’000)

VHA customers subtotal (’000)

  MVNO customers (’000)

Total network customers (’000)

Fixed Customers (‘000)

  ARPU ($)5

1,761.7

1,197.1

589.4

71.0

518.4

(159.1)

24.0

(135.1)

3,416

2,018

5,434

310

5,744

114

33.35

1,813.2

1,227.0

551.1

–

551.1

(5.0)

–

(5.0)

3,454

2,209

5,663

356

6,019

33

35.05

(2.8%)

(2.4%)

6.9%

–

(5.9%)

3,082.0%

–

2,602.0%

(1.1%)

(8.6%)

(4.0%)

(12.9%)

(4.6%)

245.5%

(4.9%)

Notes:
1  Reclassification of $5.8 million content costs into net service revenue. The December 2018 figures reclassed for comparative was $8.1 million.

2  EBITDA is defined as earnings before net finance costs, tax and depreciation and amortisation.

3  AASB 16 Leases became effective for the Group on 1 January 2019. AASB 16 Leases establishes principles for the recognition and measurement of leasing 

arrangements. EBITDA for the year ended 31 December 2019 has increased as adopted AASB 16 Leases are no longer accounted for as operating expenses. 
Net losses for the year ended 31 December 2019 reflects the increase in EBITDA offset by depreciation expense of the right-of-use assets and interest 
expense on lease liabilities relating to adopted AASB 16 Leases.

4  Reconciliation for the Share of net loss of VHA is set out on pages 31 to 33.

5  ARPU represents a rolling 12 month average net service revenue per user per month at the end of the period excluding MVNOs and including Kogan and 

Lebara. Updated ARPU reflects the change in basis of calculation as a result of the reclassification of content costs into service revenue, and the exclusion 
of M2M IOT revenue. The prior year comparative has also been updated based on this change.

iii

Chairman’s Message

With continued support 
from CK Hutchison 
Holdings Limited and its 
joint shareholder 
Vodafone Group Plc, 
VHA achieved a steady 
EBITDA result.

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) 
Limited (“HTAL” or the “Company”) 
(ASX: HTA) accounts for its investment in 
Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited 
(“VHA”) using the equity method of 
accounting. Under this method, revenue 
from VHA’s ordinary activities is not 
included in HTAL’s consolidated revenues 
from ordinary activities.

In 2019, VHA achieved market-leading 
customer sentiment and maintained 
a broadly stable underlying financial 
performance. This is despite facing 
significant regulatory challenges 
including the Australian Competition 
and Consumer Commission’s (“ACCC”) 
opposition to VHA’s proposed merger 
with TPG Telecom Limited (“TPG 
Telecom”, ASX: TPM) and the Federal 
Government’s 5G vendor restrictions.

iv

With continued support from 
CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and its 
joint shareholder Vodafone Group Plc, 
VHA achieved a steady EBITDA result. 

Key 2019 achievements and 
highlights of VHA:
•  Progressed 5G with selection of 

Nokia as network vendor; 

•  Highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) 

of the major Mobile Network 
Operators; 

•  Continued to improve rate of 
customer complaints to the 
Telecommunications Industry 
Ombudsman (“TIO”) with less than 
half the industry average;

•  Recognised for its customer focus 
with two major industry awards; 

•  Reached 100,000 Vodafone NBN 

fixed customers; and

•  VHA continued to progress 

regulatory approval of the merger 
with TPG Telecom by commencing 
Federal Court proceedings seeking 
competition approval of the merger.

2019 financial results 
In a challenging regulatory environment 
and amidst continued aggressive 
competition, VHA produced a steady 
underlying financial performance.  

VHA postpaid customer base was 
steady at 3.4 million, a 1.1% YoY decrease 
from 3.5 million. VHA maintained its 
base with its strong mobile network, 
generous data inclusions and best-in-
market $5 Roaming product. 

VHA prepaid customer base was 
2.0 million, an 8.6% YoY decrease 

from 2.2 million, amidst very intense 
competition in the segment. 

VHA’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator 
(MVNO) customer base was 310,000, 
a 12.9% YoY decrease from 356,000.

VHA’s fixed customer base was 
114,000, a YoY increase of 245.5% from 
33,000. VHA launched fixed services 
via the National Broadband Network 
in April 2018 and has been steadily 
growing its customer base.

HTAL’s share of VHA total revenue 
decreased 2.8% YoY to $1,761.7 million 
from $1,813.2 million, due to the change 
in customer base. 

VHA ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) 
was $33.35, which represented a 4.9% 
YoY decrease from $35.05, driven by 
increased competition.  

HTAL’s share of VHA’s EBITDA increased 
6.9% YoY to $589.4 million from 
$551.1 million. This is driven by a positive 
$71.0 million impact from the IFRS16 
accounting change. The underlying 
decline of $38.3 million was due to a 
decline in revenue partially mitigated 
by continued focus on managing 
costs. In a year-on-year comparison 
without IFRS16, HTAL’s share of VHA 
EBITDA would have been $518.4 million, 
a 5.9% decrease. 

HTAL’s share of VHA net loss 
was $159.1 million, a YoY increase 
from $5.0 million, driven by the 
EBITDA result, lower commission 
capitalisation, increased depreciation 
and amortisation, and interest costs. 
In a year-on-year comparison without 
IFRS16, HTAL’s share of VHA net loss 
would have been $135.1 million.

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019VHA-TPG Telecom merger case 
heard in Federal Court 
On 24 June 2019, following the ACCC’s 
8 May 2019 announcement that it would 
not provide competition clearance to 
the proposed merger between the two 
companies, VHA and TPG Telecom 
filed a legal action in the Federal Court 
of Australia seeking a declaration that 
the merger is not prohibited under 
Section 50 of the Competition and 
Consumer Act 2010.

The case was heard by Justice 
Middleton in Melbourne between 
10 September and 1 October 2019.

On 13 February 2020, the Federal 
Court ruled that the proposed merger 
between VHA and TPG Telecom would 
not substantially lessen competition and 
should be allowed to proceed. VHA, along 
with TPG Telecom, will work to complete 
the merger in mid-2020, subject to the 
remaining regulatory and shareholder 
approvals and any appeal by the ACCC.

VHA is also undertaking a restructure 
of its debt facilities as a condition of 
the Scheme Implementation Deed and 
subject to the merger proceeding. The 
refinancing is expected to complete 
concurrently with the implementation 
of the merger.

VHA takes the next big step in 5G
In December 2019, VHA took another 
significant step in its 5G journey with 
the announcement that it has partnered 
with Nokia to roll out its 5G mobile 
network and deliver the benefits of the 
next generation of mobile networks 
to its customers.

The partnership builds on years of 
collaboration and enables VHA to 
deliver its commercial 5G services. 

VHA will switch on its first commercial 
5G sites in the first half of 2020, when 
it transforms an existing test network 
in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta into 
its first live 5G site.  

VHA continues to lead 
customer sentiment, lowest 
complaints rate 
VHA continued its track record as an 
industry leader in customer service in 
2019 with the highest NPS of the mobile 
network operators, while its rate of 
customer complaints to the TIO was 
less than half the industry average.

VHA won a Canstar Blue award for 
Provider of the Year for SIM Only 
mobile plans and was recognised at the 
ACOMM industry awards for Best Mobile 
Solution for its endless data and no 
lock-in contracts.

VHA’s $5 Roaming product, which 
is available in more than 80 global 
destinations, continues to be a key driver 
of customer acquisitions and upgrades.

VHA will also continue its strategy of 
striking a balance between maintaining 
a sustainable business model, whilst 
delivering value to Australian customers.

The Vodafone NBN customer base 
more than tripled during 2019, with 
customers attracted to VHA’s 4G 
back up and promotional offers to 
connect to the top tier NBN speed 
for a market-leading price.

VHA also became the first telco to 
partner with Amazon Prime to offer 
customers on selected plans a twelve-
month Amazon Prime membership.

To further its digital transformation 
strategy, VHA welcomed the new Chief 
Information Officer and Director of 
Business Enablement, Rob James in 
September 2019. With responsibility 
for IT, Mr James’ appointment enables 
the IT team, which previously sat with 
Network, to focus exclusively on IT 
strategy and key projects.

To raise brand awareness among key 
market segments, VHA continued its 
sponsorships with Rugby Australia, 
Supercars, Adelaide Strikers and the 
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 
Star cricketer Steve Smith and Supercars 
champion Jamie Whincup continued in 
the role of VHA brand ambassadors.

Vodafone Foundation expands 
positive impact 
In 2019, Vodafone Foundation 
continued to help improve the health 
and wellbeing of Australians through 
its technology-driven partnerships 
with the Garvan Institute of Medical 
Research and Hello Sunday Morning.

In 2019, the Foundation’s DreamLab 
app, which helps solve cancer using the 
processing power of idle smartphones 
while users sleep, launched in Italy 
and Romania, bringing the app to 
five Vodafone markets. DreamLab’s 
350,000 users donated their 
computing power to help complete 
two more discoveries in half the time.

Vodafone Foundation also funded a 
pilot program with Infoxchange, to 
examine ways the AskIzzy app might 
better support people experiencing 
family and domestic violence.

Outlook 
Intense competition in the Australian 
telecommunications market is expected 
to continue to impact industry revenues 
and ARPUs throughout 2020. VHA will 
continue its focus on reducing costs 
to manage its financial performance. 

On 13 February 2020 the Federal 
Court ruled that the proposed merger 
between VHA and TPG Telecom would 
not substantially lessen competition and 
should be allowed to proceed. VHA will 
work towards implementation of the 
proposed merger which remains subject 
to an appeal, as well as shareholder and 
other regulatory approvals.

The merger would create a third 
fully-integrated telecommunications 
company with the scale to compete 
head-to-head across the whole 
telecommunications market in Australia. 
It would also provide investment 
certainty for the future, including for 
the company’s 5G rollout. 

While the merger process continues, 
VHA will continue to work towards 
the launch of 5G mobile services in 
2020 and take opportunities to deliver 
increased value propositions to mobile 
and fixed customers. 

HTAL remains committed to its 
investment in VHA and will continue 
to support VHA in the future.

Additional matters
On 5 March 2020 the ACCC announced 
that it would not appeal the decision of 
the Federal Court and we are pleased 
that definitive Australian competition 
clearance for the proposed merger 
between VHA and TPG has now 
been obtained. 

After the COVID-19 outbreak in early 
2020, HTAL is paying close attention 
to the development of, and the 
disruption to business and economic 
activities caused by the outbreak and 
its potential impact on the financial 
position, cash flows and operating 
results. Given the dynamic nature of the 
COVID-19 outbreak, it is not practicable 
to provide a reasonable estimate of its 
impacts on HTAL’s financial position, 
cash flows and operating results at 
the date of this annual report.

Fok Kin Ning, Canning 
Chairman

1

Board of Directors

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

2

1. Fok Kin Ning, Canning 
(Chairman) BA, DFM, FCA (ANZ) 

Fok Kin Ning, Canning, aged 68, has 
been a Director since February 1999. 
Mr Fok has been an executive director 
and group co-managing director 
of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited 
(“CKHH”) since 2015. He has been a 
director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) 
Limited and Hutchison Whampoa 
Limited (“HWL”) since 1985 and 1984 
respectively, both of which became 
wholly owned subsidiaries of CKHH 
in 2015. He has been chairman and a 
non-executive director of Hutchison 
Telecommunications Hong Kong 
Holdings Limited (“HTHKH”) since 
2009 and of Hutchison Port Holdings 
Management Pte. Limited (“HPHM”) 
as the trustee-manager of Hutchison 
Port Holdings Trust (“HPH Trust”) since 
2011, an executive director since 1985 
and chairman since 2005 of Power 
Assets Holdings Limited (“Power 
Assets”), chairman and an executive 
director of HK Electric Investments 
Manager Limited (“HKEIML”) as 
the trustee-manager of HK Electric 
Investments (“HKEI”) and of HK Electric 
Investments Limited (“HKEIL”) since 
2013, co-chairman of Husky Energy 
Inc. (“Husky Energy”) since 2000, 
and an executive director and deputy 
chairman of CK Infrastructure Holdings 
Limited (“CKI”) since 1997. The 
aforementioned companies are either 
the ultimate holding company of HTAL, 
or subsidiaries or associated companies 
of CKHH of which Mr Fok oversees 
the management. Mr Fok has also 
been a director of VHA since 2001. He 
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a 
Diploma in Financial Management, and 
is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants 
Australia and New Zealand.

2. Barry Roberts-Thomson 
(Deputy Chairman)

Barry Roberts-Thomson, aged 70 has 
been a Director since February 1989 
and was Managing Director of HTAL 
from its inception in 1989 until 
September 2001. In his capacity as 
Deputy Chairman, Mr Roberts-Thomson 
represents HTAL in government 
relations and strategic projects and has 
served as a director of VHA since 2001. 

3. Susan Mo Fong Chow, 
also known as Woo Mo Fong, Susan 
(alias Chow Woo Mo Fong, Susan) 
(Director) BSc

Mrs Susan Chow (aged 66), has been a 
non-executive director of CK Hutchison 
Holdings Limited (“CKHH”) since 
January 2017. She was an executive 
director and group deputy managing 
director of CKHH from June 2015 to July 
2016, senior advisor of CKHH from August 
2016 to December 2016, executive director 
of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (“HWL”, 
which was privatised by way of a scheme 
of arrangement and became a wholly 
owned subsidiary of CKHH since June 
2015) from October 1993 to June 2015, 
deputy group managing director from 
January 1998 to June 2015 and director 
from June 2015 to July 2016. Prior to 
joining HWL, Mrs Chow was a partner 
of Woo Kwan Lee & Lo, a major law firm 
in Hong Kong. Mrs Chow is an alternate 
director to director of CK Infrastructure 
Holdings Limited since May 2006, HK 
Electric Investments Manager Limited 
as the trustee-manager of HK Electric 
Investments, and HK Electric Investments 
Limited since November 2014.  

She previously served as a member of the 
Listing Committee of The Stock Exchange 
of Hong Kong Limited, the Joint Liaison 
Committee on Taxation of the Law 
Society of Hong Kong, the Committee 
on Real Estate Investment Trusts of the 
Securities and Futures Commission, the 
Trade and Industry Advisory Board, the 
Court of the Hong Kong University of 
Science and Technology and the Appeal 
Boards Panel (Education). Mrs Chow is a 
qualified solicitor and holds a Bachelor’s 
degree in Business Administration.

4. Justin Herbert Gardener 
(Director) BEc, FCA, AGIA

Justin Herbert Gardener, aged 83, 
has been a Director since July 1999. 
Mr Gardener has been a director of a 
number of private and publicly listed 
companies including Austar United 
Communications Limited (appointed 
1999 and retired 2008). From 1961, and 
until his retirement in 1998, Mr Gardener 
held a variety of positions with 
Arthur Andersen, becoming a partner 
in 1972 and for the last ten years in a 
management and supervisory role for 
Asia Pacific. Mr Gardener is a Fellow of 
the Institute of Chartered Accountants 
and an Associate of the Governance 
Institute and holds a Bachelor of 
Economics Degree. 

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 20195. Lai Kai Ming, Dominic 
(Director) BSc, MBA

7. Frank John Sixt 
(Director) MA, LLL

9. Woo Chiu Man, Cliff 
(Director) BSc

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic, aged 66, 
has been a Director since May 2004 
and Alternate Director to Mr Sixt 
since May 2006 and to Mr Fok since 
December 2016. Mr Lai has been 
an executive director and deputy 
managing director of CKHH since 2015. 
Since 2000, he has been a director of 
HWL which became a wholly owned 
subsidiary of CKHH in 2015. Mr Lai 
has been a non-executive director 
since 2009 and an alternate director 
to directors since 2010 of HTHKH. He 
has been an alternate director to a 
director of TOM Group Limited (“TOM”) 
since 2016. He has been a member 
of the board of commissioners of PT 
Duta Intidaya Tbk since 2018. The 
aforementioned companies are either 
the ultimate holding company of HTAL, 
or subsidiaries or associated companies 
of CKHH of which Mr Lai oversees 
the management. He has also been 
a director of VHA since 2016. Mr Lai 
has over 35 years of management 
experience in different industries. He 
holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) 
degree and a Master’s degree in 
Business Administration.

6. John Michael Scanlon 
(Director)

John Michael Scanlon, aged 78, has 
been a Director since July 2005. 
Mr Scanlon is a special venture partner 
to Clarity Partners LLP, a private equity 
firm. From 1965 through to 1988, 
his career was with AT&T, primarily 
Bell Labs, rising to group vice president 
of AT&T. Mr Scanlon then went on to 
become president and general manager 
of Motorola’s Cellular Networks and 
Space Sector, founding chief executive 
officer of Asia Global Crossing, chief 
executive officer of Global Crossing 
and chairman and chief executive 
officer of PrimeCo Cellular. 

Frank John Sixt, aged 68, has been 
a Director since January 1998 and 
Alternate Director to Mr Lai since 
February 2008. Mr Sixt has been an 
executive director, group finance director 
and deputy managing director of CKHH 
since 2015. Since 1991, he has been a 
director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) 
Limited and HWL, both of which 
became wholly owned subsidiaries of 
CKHH in 2015. He has been chairman 
and a non-executive director of TOM 
since 1999 and an executive director of 
CKI since 1996. Mr Sixt has also been a 
director of Husky Energy since 2000. 
He has been an alternate director to 
a director of HKEIML as the trustee-
manager of HKEI and of HKEIL since 
2015. The aforementioned companies 
are either the ultimate holding company 
of HTAL, or subsidiaries or associated 
companies of CKHH of which Mr Sixt 
oversees the management. He has also 
been a director of VHA since 2001. Mr 
Sixt holds a Master’s degree in Arts and 
a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Law, and 
is a member of the Bar and of the Law 
Society of the Provinces of Québec 
and Ontario, Canada.

8. Ronald Joseph Spithill OAM 
(Director) BScTech

Ronald Joseph Spithill, aged 78, has 
been a Director since November 2010. 
Mr Spithill was a director of Telecom 
Corporation of New Zealand Limited 
from 2006 until 2011 and serves on 
a number of NGO boards. Mr Spithill 
has also been a director of VHA since 
2010. He was previously president of 
Alcatel Asia Pacific responsible for 
operations in 16 countries, executive 
vice president and chief marketing 
officer of the Paris-based Alcatel 
group and vice-chairman of Alcatel 
Shanghai Bell. He has been chief 
executive officer and chairman of 
Alcatel Australia. He is a past president 
of the Telecommunications Industry 
Association of Australia and served 
with the AEEMA Board, the Australian 
Business Council, the Malaysian 
Government Industry Advisory Panel, 
the New Zealand Independent Industry 
Oversight Group, the NSW Government 
IT Advisory Board and the Australian 
Government “Goldsworthy” Committee. 
Mr Spithill is a Fellow of the Australian 
Academy of Technological Sciences 
and Engineering and a Distinguished 
Fellow of the Telecommunications 
Society of Australia.

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff, aged 66, has been 
a Director since August 2016. Mr Woo 
has been an executive director and 
chief executive officer of HTHKH since 
2017 and was re-designated as co-
deputy chairman and a non-executive 
director of HTHKH in 2018. He has 
been an alternate director to a director 
of VHA since 2016. He held various 
senior technology management 
positions in the telecommunications 
industry before joining in 1998 the 
group of HWL. He was deputy 
managing director of Hutchison 
Telecommunications (Hong Kong) 
Limited from 2000 to 2004. He was 
also an executive director of Hutchison 
Telecommunications International 
Limited in 2005. He was seconded to 
VHA as chief technology officer from 
2012 to 2013 and was part of the core 
management team. He possesses 
extensive operations experience in the 
telecommunications industry and has 
been involved in cellular technology 
for over 30 years. Mr Woo holds a 
Bachelor’s degree in Electronics 
and a Diploma in Management for 
Executive Development. He is a 
Chartered Engineer and also a Member 
of The Institution of Engineering and 
Technology (UK) and The Hong Kong 
Institution of Engineers.

3

Corporate Governance

This Corporate Governance Statement is dated 
26 February 2020 and has been approved by the Board of the 
Company. Information about the Company and its corporate 
governance including current policies and charters are 
available on the Company’s website at www.hutchison.com.au.

•  satisfying itself of the effectiveness of the governance 
processes in place and that an appropriate framework 
exists for relevant information to be reported by 
management to the Board and whenever required, 
challenging management and holding it to account;

The Company and its Directors are committed to high 
standards of corporate governance. In December 2019, 
the Company completed a review of its corporate governance 
processes and procedures having regard to the ASX Principles 
and Recommendations (the “ASX Principles”) (4th edition) 
and has updated its corporate governance documents to 
reflect the ASX Principles (4th edition) with effect from 
December 2019. This report reflects the main corporate 
governance practices adopted by the Company and its 
subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) during the 2019 financial 
year (“Reporting Period”), noting where the Company does 
not comply with the ASX Principles (3rd edition), and the 
corporate governance processes and procedures updated 
in December 2019. The first full reporting of Company’s 
compliance with the ASX Principles (4th edition) will be 
disclosed in its next Annual Report. 

The Board
Role of the Board
The Board has responsibility for approving strategy, monitoring 
the implementation of the strategy and the performance of the 
Group, protecting the rights and interests of shareholders and 
overseeing the overall corporate governance within the Group.

The Board Charter is available on the Company’s website. 

The Board’s responsibilities include:

•  reviewing and approving the statement of values, 

strategic direction of the Group and establishing goals, 
both short-term and long-term, to ensure these strategic 
objectives are met and ensuring appropriate resources 
are available to meet these objectives;

•  overseeing management in its implementation of the 

Group’s strategic objectives, instilling of the Group’s values 
and performance generally;

•  overseeing the integrity of the Group’s accounting and 

corporate reporting systems, including the external audit, 
control and accountability systems;

•  satisfying itself that the Group has in place an appropriate 

risk management framework (for both financial and 
non-financial risks) and setting the risk appetite within 
which the Board expects management to operate;

•  satisfying itself that the Group’s remuneration policies are 
aligned with its purpose, values, strategic objectives and 
risk appetite;

•  ensuring the business risks facing the Group are identified 
and reviewing, ratifying and monitoring sound systems 
of risk management and internal compliance and control, 
codes of conduct and legal compliance;

•  monitoring the performance of management against 

these  goals and objectives and initiating corrective action 
when required;

•  ensuring that there are adequate internal controls and 
ethical standards of behaviour adopted and met within 
the Group;

•  reviewing and approving annual financial plans and 
monitoring corporate performance against both 
short-term and long-term financial plans;

•  appointing the chief executive officer, evaluating 

performance and determining the remuneration of 
senior executives and ensuring that appropriate policies 
and procedures are in place for recruitment, training, 
occupational health & safety, environmental issue 
remuneration and succession planning; and

•  delegating to the chief executive officer the authority to 
manage and supervise the business of the Group with 
senior executives and other management, including the 
making of all decisions regarding the Group’s operations 
that are not specifically reserved to the Board.

Composition of the Board
The Board comprises nine Directors whose appointment 
reflects the shareholding of the Company and the need to 
ensure that the Company is run in the best interest of all 
shareholders. All the Directors, including the Chairman, 
Mr Fok Kin Ning, Canning, are non-executives. The 
Board has considered the factors relevant to assessing 
the independence of a Director contained in the ASX 
Principles, and in light of this, the Board determined that 
the independent Directors are not substantial shareholders or 
officers of substantial shareholders, have not been employed 
as an executive of the Group or its majority shareholder, nor 
are they associated with any significant supplier, customer or 
professional adviser of the Group. Further, an independent 
Director does not have any significant contractual relationship 
with the Group nor is there any business relationship which 
could materially interfere with a Director’s ability to act in 
the best interest of the Company. 

Mr Justin Herbert Gardener and Mr John Michael Scanlon, 
being the only Directors who are not, or have not been, 
officers of a significant shareholder or have not been 
employed as an executive of the Group, are considered by 
the Board to be independent Directors. The Board does not 
consider that the length of tenure of either Mr Gardener or 
Mr Scanlon has compromised their independence. In light of 
the majority ownership by CKHH, the Board has resolved that, 
at this stage, it is not in the best interests of the Company that 
a majority of Directors or the Chairman be independent.

4

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Board skills matrix
The Board has considered the skills that are appropriate 
for the Board as a whole and these include experience in:

•  general business management, strategy and 

entrepreneurship;

• 

information and technology particularly in 
telecommunications or multimedia;

•  marketing, sales and distribution in highly competitive 

markets;

•  Government relations and policy;

• 

legal, governance and compliance risk management;

•  human resources and remuneration;

•  accounting, finance and audit; and

•  banking, treasury and capital markets.

Details of the individual Directors’ skills set, experience and 
date of appointment are set out on pages 2 and 3. Details 
of the non-executive Director remuneration are set out in 
the Remuneration Report which forms part of the Directors’ 
Report on pages 12 to 15.

Subject to the Company’s Constitution requirements in 
relation to the retirement of Directors, the appointment of 
all the current Directors will continue until the next Annual 
General Meeting (“AGM”) in 2020, and will be automatically 
renewed for successive 12-month periods unless otherwise 
terminated. An election of Directors is held at the AGM 
each year, and information on the Directors standing for 
re-election is provided to shareholders in the Notice of 
Meeting for the AGM. Any Director who has been appointed 
during the year must stand for election at the next AGM. 
Each Director must retire every three years, and if eligible, 
may stand for re-election. Retiring Directors are not 
automatically reappointed.

Prior to the appointment of a new Director, appropriate 
checks are undertaken in areas such as education, 
employment and character references, and the balance 
of skills set and experience collectively on the Board will 
be taken into consideration. Each new Director receives a 
letter of appointment detailing the Company’s expectations 
having regard to their familiarity with the Company and its 
investment in VHA. Written agreements are in place with  
each of the Directors setting out their terms of appointment. 

In December 2019, Mrs Susan Chow was appointed as 
a non-executive Director. Prior to her appointment, the 
Company undertook appropriate background checks. The 
Company will provide shareholders with all the relevant 
information in its possession necessary for shareholders 
to consider voting on Mrs Chow’s election at its 2020 AGM.

Upon appointment to the Board, a new Director receives an 
induction process arranged by the Company Secretary which 
includes a package of orientation materials on the Company. 
Thereafter, the Company provides professional development 
materials to Directors and facilitates their attendance at 
appropriate external seminars and information sessions to 
help them to keep abreast of current trends and issues facing 
the Group, including the latest changes in the commercial 
(including industry-specific and innovative changes), legal 
and regulatory environment and to refresh their knowledge 
and skills on the roles, functions and duties of a listed 
company director.

The Company evaluates the performance of the Board as a whole, 
the Board Committees and the Directors by questionnaire at the 
beginning of each year. The evaluation for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2018 was undertaken at the beginning of 
2019 and that for the financial year ended 31 December 2019 
has commenced. The objective of such evaluation is to ensure 
that the Board, its Committees and the Directors continued 
to act effectively in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities 
expected of them.

In connection with their duties and responsibilities, Directors 
and Board Committees have the right to seek independent 
professional advice at the Company’s expense. Prior written 
notification to the Chairman is required.

Board Committees
The Board has two Committees to assist in the 
implementation of its corporate governance practices, 
fiduciary and financial reporting and audit responsibilities. 
These are an Audit & Risk Committee and a Governance, 
Nomination & Compensation Committee.

Each of these Committees has its own charter setting out its 
role and responsibilities, composition, structure, membership 
requirements and the manner in which the Committee is 
to operate. Details of these charters are available on the 
Company’s website.

Audit & Risk Committee
The responsibility of the Audit & Risk Committee is to assist the 
Board in fulfilling its duties through review and supervision of 
the Group’s financial reporting process and the Group’s system 
of risk management, internal control and legal compliance.

This Committee comprises three non-executive Directors, a 
majority of whom are independent Directors and is chaired 
by an independent Director who is not the Chairman of 
the Board. The composition of the Committee meets the 
requirements of the ASX Principles. It has appropriate 
financial expertise and knowledge of the telecommunications 
industry. Details of the Committee members, and their 
qualifications, expertise, experience and attendance at 
Committee meetings are set out on pages 2, 3 and 10.

5

Corporate Governance
continued

This Committee considers the annual and interim financial 
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and any other 
major financial statements prior to approval by the Board, and 
reviews standards of internal control and financial reporting 
within the Group. It is also responsible for overview of the 
relationship between the Group and its external auditor, 
including periodic review of the performance and the terms 
of appointment of the auditor. Furthermore, it considers any 
matters relating to the financial affairs of the Group and any 
other matter referred to it by the Board.

The main responsibilities delegated to this Committee are:

•  to consider and recommend to the Board the appointment 
and remuneration of the Company’s external auditor and to 
determine with the external auditor the nature and scope 
of the audit or review and approve audit or review plans;

•  to assess the performance and independence of the external 
auditor, taking into account factors which may impair the 
auditor’s judgement in audit matters related to the Company;

•  to review the interim and annual financial statements of 

the Company before their submission to the Board;

•  to ensure the Group’s practices and procedures with respect 
to related party transactions are appropriate for compliance 
with the relevant legal and securities exchange requirements;

•  to review the risk management practices and oversee the 
implementation and effectiveness of the risk management 
system including overseeing appropriate governance 
standards for tax management and the effectiveness of 
the tax control and governance framework including the 
monitoring of tax risk management strategies;

•  to review and make recommendations to the Board 

regarding the adequacy of the Group’s processes for 
managing risk and any changes that should be made 
to the Group’s risk management framework or to the 
risk appetite set by the Board;

•  to consider new and emerging sources of risk and the risk 
controls and mitigation measures that management has 
put in place to deal with those risks;

•  to review with management and the external auditor the 

presentation and impact of significant risks and uncertainties 
associated with the business of the Group and their effects 
on the financial statements of the Group; and

•  to ensure corporate compliance with applicable legislation.

6

Governance, Nomination & Compensation 
Committee
This Committee comprises three non-executive Directors 
and is chaired by the Chairman of the Board. In light of the 
majority ownership by CKHH and that the Company does 
not currently have any senior executives, the Board has 
resolved that, at this stage, it is not in the best interests of 
the Company that a majority of members of this Committee 
be independent or that the Chair of this Committee be 
independent. Details of the Committee members, and their 
qualifications, expertise and experience are set out on pages 
2, 3 and 10. No meetings of this Committee were required 
during the year ended 31 December 2019.

Compensation responsibilities
This Committee is responsible for the review of remuneration 
and other benefits, and the Group’s policies in relation to 
recruitment and retention of staff. It will, where relevant, 
obtain independent advice from external consultants on the 
appropriateness of the remuneration policies of the Group.

Details of the compensation philosophy and practices of the 
Company, including equity based remuneration schemes, 
are set out in the Remuneration Report. As the Company 
does not currently have any senior executives, no process 
is in place for the evaluation of the performance of senior 
executives, although formal performance evaluation has 
been a part of the Company’s practices in the past.

Governance and nomination responsibilities
The governance and nomination responsibilities related to 
Board performance and evaluation are:

•  to periodically assess and provide recommendations to the 
Chairman of the Board on the effectiveness of the Board 
as a whole, the Board Committees, the contribution of 
individual Directors, and assessment of Directors;

•  to periodically review the Company’s investor relations 
and public relations activities to ensure that procedures 
are in place for the effective monitoring of the shareholder 
base, receipt of shareholder feedback and response to 
shareholder concerns in respect of Board nomination 
and remuneration matters;

•  to oversee and periodically review the induction and 
education, and continuing professional development 
programs for Directors including whether there is a need for 
existing directors to undertake professional development;

•  to ensure appropriate structures and procedures are 

in place so that the Board can function independently 
of management;

•  to receive and consider any concerns of individual 

Directors relating to governance matters; and

•  to review all related party transactions to ensure they 
reflect market practice and are in the best interests of 
the Group and consider any disclosure requirements.

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019The governance and nomination responsibilities related to 
the Directors are:

•  to recommend to the Board criteria regarding personal 

qualifications for Board membership such as background, 
experience, technical skills, affiliations and personal 
characteristics; and

External auditors
The performance of the external auditor is reviewed 
annually and applications for the tender of external 
audit services will be requested as deemed appropriate. 
PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed as the external 
auditor in June 2014.

•  to consider and recommend to the Board the skills 
matrix required for the Board generally including 
Director independence.

The governance and nomination responsibilities related 
to Board Committees are:

•  to review from time to time and recommend to the Board 
the types, terms of reference and composition of Board 
Committees, and the nominees as chair of the Board 
Committees; and

•  to review from time to time and make recommendations 
to the Board the length of service of members on Board 
Committees, meeting procedures, quorum and notice 
requirements, records and minutes, resignations and 
vacancies on Board Committees.

Diversity
The Company recognises the corporate benefit of diversity as 
that term is defined in the ASX best practice recommendations 
and its Diversity Policy is available on the Company’s website.

The Company recognises the benefits of a Board that possesses 
a balance of skills set, experience, expertise and diversity of 
perspectives appropriate for the strategies of the Company. 
The Company supports diversity, with Directors from various 
parts of the world with experience of different cultures and 
possessing varied expertise, in finance and accounting, sales 
and marketing, operations, legal and technology relevant to 
operating a telecommunications company.

In assessing candidates for appointment to the Board, the 
Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee will 
have regard to the diversity balance on the Board and the 
skills and experience of each candidate. The Board will 
give due consideration to ensuring that the diversity of 
the Board increases.

No objectives have been set for achieving gender diversity 
among employees or assessment undertaken as currently 
the Company has only one (male) employee who is not 
considered to be a senior executive (2018: 100% male). 
The Board currently comprises eight males (89%) and 
one female (11%) (2018: 100% male).

Company secretaries 
The Company has two company secretaries, Ms Edith Shih 
and Ms Naomi Dolmatoff, who are responsible to the Board 
for ensuring that Board processes are followed and board 
activities are efficiently and effectively conducted.

In April 2019, Ms Louise Sexton resigned as a company 
secretary and Ms Dolmatoff was appointed. Biographies of 
the company secretaries are included in the Directors’ Report.

An analysis of fees paid to the external auditor, including 
a break-down of fees for non-audit services, is provided in 
Note 14 to the financial statements. The Company’s policy in 
relation to awarding non-audit work to the external auditor 
requires that all proposed non-audit service assignments 
in excess of $100,000 will be approved by the Audit & Risk 
Committee and will only be awarded to the external auditor 
after completion of a competitive tendering process (where 
appropriate) which demonstrates that the external auditor 
is the preferred service provider on the basis of an objective 
assessment of price, capabilities and commitment. It is the 
policy of the external auditor to provide an annual declaration 
of their independence to the Audit & Risk Committee.

The external auditor attends and is available for questioning 
at the AGM by shareholders in relation to the conduct of 
the audit.

Risk management
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for risk oversight 
and ensuring that significant business risks are appropriately 
managed, whilst acknowledging that such risks may not be 
wholly eliminated. Details of the Company’s risk management 
policy and internal compliance and control system are 
available on the Company’s website. Material business 
risks faced by the Company are those associated with the 
Company’s investment in VHA.

The Audit & Risk Committee has been delegated 
responsibility as the primary body for risk oversight and for 
ensuring that appropriate risk management policies, systems 
and resources are in place.

As all former operational activities of the Company are now 
undertaken in VHA, the associated risks are now in that entity. 
The Company no longer has an internal audit function, but the 
Audit & Risk Committee receives and considers all VHA reports 
prepared by the internal audit and risk management function 
of VHA for the VHA Audit and Risk Committee, including an 
annual review of the VHA risk management framework. One 
of the members of the Group’s Audit & Risk Committee is a 
member of the VHA Audit and Risk Committee.

The VHA risk management framework ensures that 
adequate mechanisms are in place to identify, assess and 
manage strategic, financial and non-financial, operational 
and regulatory risks and that VHA corporate performance 
is reviewed across a broad range of issues. In addition to 
oversight of VHA’s risk management, other key aspects of the 
Group’s risk management framework are regular reports from 
external auditors and detailed financial reporting reviews with 
its major shareholder’s finance team. During the Reporting 
Period, VHA undertook a review of its risk management 
framework and its board considers that it remains sound. 
VHA does not consider that it has a material exposure to 
any economic, environmental and social sustainability risks.

7

Corporate Governance
continued

As the Company no longer has executives performing 
the function of chief executive officer or chief financial 
officer, the Board has not received a declaration provided 
in accordance with section 295A of the Corporations Act 
2001 (Cth). However, the VHA board has received such a 
declaration in respect of the VHA financial statements.

Code of conduct
The need to ensure that a strong ethical culture within the 
Group has led to greater emphasis on the development 
of a strong culture with values designed to ensure that all 
Directors, managers and employees act with the utmost 
integrity and objectivity in their dealings with all people 
that they come in contact with during their working life 
with the Group. The Corporate Code of Conduct applies to 
all Directors, officers, employees, consultants, contractors, 
agents and other representatives engaged by the Company 
and compliance with the values underlying the Company’s 
culture forming part of the performance appraisal of senior 
executives and managers. Details of this Code are available 
on the Company’s website.

Dealing in shares
The Company has the following policy regarding dealing 
in its shares:

•  the Chairman discusses any proposed dealing in HTAL 

shares with an independent Director prior to any dealing;

•  Directors discuss any proposed dealing in HTAL shares 

with the Chairman prior to any dealing; and

•  any other designated officer (being any person engaged 

in the management of the Company, whether as an 
employee or consultant) discuss any proposed dealing 
in HTAL shares with the Company Secretary or the chief 
executive officer prior to any dealing. 

Unless there are unusual circumstances, dealings in HTAL shares 
by designated officers are limited to the period of one month 
after the release of the Company’s half year and annual results 
to the ASX and from the lodgement of the Company’s annual 
report with the ASX up to one month after the AGM of HTAL.

Directors, officers and employees must not engage in insider 
dealing in breach of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and are 
prohibited from dealing in HTAL shares if in possession of price 
sensitive information. Directors and senior executives are also 
prohibited from engaging in short term speculative dealing. 
All Directors, officers and employees within the Group have 
been advised of their obligations in regard to price sensitive 
information. Directors, officers and employees are also aware 
of their obligations not to communicate price sensitive 
information to any other person who might deal in HTAL 
shares or communicate that information to another party.

The Company’s practices are documented in a policy, 
details of which are available on the Company’s website.

Continuous disclosure and shareholder 
communication
The Board strongly believes that the Company’s shareholders 
should be fully informed of all material matters that affect the 
Group in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations. 
Financial reports and other significant information are available 
on the Company’s website for access by its shareholders and 
the broader community. Procedures are in place to review 
whether any price sensitive information has been inadvertently 
disclosed in any forum, and if so, this information is immediately 
released to the market. The Company Secretary resident in 
Australia has been appointed as the person responsible for 
communications with the ASX.

The Company seeks to enhance its communication with 
shareholders through the introduction of new types of 
communication through cost effective electronic means and 
the provision of information in addition to the reports required 
by legislation. Shareholders have the option to receive 
communications from the Company and to communicate 
with the Company and the Share Registry electronically.

Shareholders are encouraged to participate in general 
meetings physically or to appoint proxies to attend and vote 
at such meetings for and on their behalf if they are unable to 
attend. Notices of general meetings and the accompanying 
papers are provided within the prescribed time prior to the 
meetings on the Company’s website and the ASX website 
(www.asx.com.au), by email to shareholders or by post to 
those shareholders who have elected to receive a hard copy 
version of such communication.

The Company’s investor relations program is based upon 
appropriately responding to requests from shareholders 
and analysts for information to enable them to gain an 
understanding of the Company’s business, governance, 
financial performance and prospects.

The Company’s existing practices on information disclosure 
and shareholder communications are documented in 
the Continuous Disclosure Policy and the Shareholder 
Communications Policy, details of which are available on 
the Company’s website.

Related party transactions
The Group draws great strength from its relationship with 
CKHH and other companies in the CKHH Group in relation to 
its financial support and management expertise. The Board is 
aware of the need to represent all shareholders and to avoid 
conflicts of interest. Where there is a conflict of interest or 
the potential appearance of a conflict, affected Directors do 
not participate in the decision making process or vote on 
such matters. All commercial agreements with related parties 
are negotiated on arms’ length terms. Further information 
about the Company’s related party transactions is set out 
in Note 17 to the financial statements.

8

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Directors’ Report

The Directors are pleased to present their report on the consolidated entity (the “Group”) consisting of HTAL and the entities 
it controlled at the end of or during the year ended 31 December 2019.

Principal activities
During the year, the Group’s principal activity was the ownership of a 50% interest in VHA which provides telecommunications 
services in Australia. 

Review of operations
Comments on the operations of the Group, results of those operations, the Company’s business strategies and its prospects for 
future years are set out on pages iv to 1. Details of the financial position of the Company are contained in page 20 of this report.

Significant changes in the state of affairs and matters subsequent to the end of the financial year
There was no significant change in the state of affairs of the Group during the financial year. No other matter or circumstance 
has arisen since 31 December 2019 that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect: 

•  the Group’s operations in future financial years;

•  the results of those operations in future financial years; or

•  the Group’s state of affairs in future financial years.

Likely developments and expected results of operations 
Other than as set out in the Review of operations above, further information on business strategies and the future prospects of 
the Company has not been included in this report because the Directors believe that it would be likely to result in unreasonable 
prejudice to the Group.

Environmental regulation
The Group’s operations and business activities, through its investment in VHA, are subject to environmental regulations under 
both Commonwealth and State legislation and the requirements of the Telecommunications Act 1997. The Group’s risk review 
and audit program is designed to ensure that the Group meets its obligations under current legislation.

VHA is subject to the National Greenhouse and Environmental Reporting Act 2007 (“NGER”) and is required to report information 
about greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, energy consumption and other information specified by the NGER. VHA has 
fulfilled its reporting requirements for its operations annually since 2009 under the NGER. 

Dividends
No dividend was declared or paid during the year.

Directors
The following persons were Directors of HTAL during the whole of the year ended 31 December 2019 and up to the date 
of this report:

FOK Kin Ning, Canning

Barry ROBERTS-THOMSON

Susan Mo Fong CHOW, also known as WOO Mo Fong, Susan (alias CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan) (appointed on 9 December 2019)

Justin Herbert GARDENER

LAI Kai Ming, Dominic

John Michael SCANLON

Frank John SIXT

Ronald Joseph SPITHILL

WOO Chiu Man, Cliff

9

Directors’ Report

Further information on the Directors is set out on pages 2 and 3. 

Director

Other Responsibilities

Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Non-executive Chairman, 
Chairman of Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Deputy Chairman

Susan Mo Fong Chow^

–

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic

John Michael Scanlon 

Frank John Sixt

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

Chairman of Audit & Risk Committee, 
Member of Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee

Member of Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee

Member of Audit & Risk Committee

Member of Audit & Risk Committee

–

–

*  Direct holding of 100,000 shares
**  Direct holding of 4,540 shares
^   Appointed as Director with effect from 9 December 2019

Notes:

Particulars
of Directors’
Interests in
ordinary
shares
of HTAL

5,100,000*

83,918,337**

–

1,957,358

–

–

1,000,000

–

–

Fok Kin Ning, Canning, holds a relevant interest in (i) 5,711,438 ordinary shares of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (“CKHH”), a related body corporate of HTAL; 
and (ii) 1,202,380 ordinary shares of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (“HTHKH”), a related body corporate of HTAL. 

Susan Mo Fong Chow holds a relevant interest in (i) 129,960 ordinary shares of CKHH; and (ii) 250,000 ordinary shares of HTHKH.

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic holds a relevant interest in 34,200 ordinary shares of CKHH.

Frank John Sixt holds a relevant interest in (i) 166,800 ordinary shares of CKHH; and (ii) 255,000 ordinary shares of HTHKH.

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff holds a relevant interest in (i) 3,420 ordinary shares of CKHH; and (ii) 2,001,333 ordinary shares of HTHKH.

Meetings of Directors
The number of meetings of HTAL’s Board of Directors and each of the Board committees held during the year ended 
31 December 2019 and the number of meetings attended by each Director were:

Board Meetings
held during
the year

Board Meetings
attended as
Director

Audit & Risk
Committee
Meetings held
during the year 

Audit & Risk
Committee
Meetings
attended as
Member of the
Committee

Governance,
Nomination &
Compensation
Committee
Meetings held
during the year 

Governance,
Nomination &
Compensation
Committee
Meetings
attended as
Member of the
Committee

4

4

N/A

4

4

4

4

4

4

3

4

N/A

4

4

3

4

4

4

N/A

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

3

3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

3

3

N/A

N/A

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

Nil

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A 

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

Nil

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Director

Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Susan Mo Fong Chow^

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic*

John Michael Scanlon 

Frank John Sixt**

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

^  Appointed as Director with effect from 9 December 2019
*  Mr Sixt attended one Board meeting as Alternate Director for Mr Lai
**  Mr Lai attended one Board meeting and one Audit & Risk Committee meeting as Alternate Director for Mr Sixt

No meeting of the Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee was held during the year as any matters that arose 
for possible consideration by the Committee were dealt with by the full Board.

10

Directors’ Report continuedHutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Retirement, election and continuation in office of Directors 
Mr Barry Roberts-Thomson is a Director retiring by rotation in accordance with the Constitution who, being eligible, offers 
himself for re-election.

Mrs Susan Mo Fong Chow is a Director who was appointed as additional director in accordance with the Constitution who, 
being eligible, offers herself for election.

Mr Lai Kai Ming, Dominic is a Director retiring by rotation in accordance with the Constitution who, being eligible, offers himself 
for re-election.

Mr Ronald Joseph Spithill is a Director retiring by rotation in accordance with the Constitution who, being eligible, offers 
himself for re-election.

Mr Woo Chiu Man, Cliff is a Director retiring by rotation in accordance with the Constitution who, being eligible, offers himself 
for re-election.

Company secretaries 
Edith Shih 
BSE, MA, MA, EdM, Solicitor, FCG (CS, CGP), FCS (CS, CGP)(PE)

Edith Shih has been a Company Secretary of the Company since 1999. Ms Shih is an executive director and company secretary 
of CKHH. She has been with the Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited group since 1989 and was with HWL from 1991 to 2015. 
Both Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and HWL became wholly owned subsidiaries of CKHH in 2015. She has acted in various 
capacities within the HWL Group, including head group general counsel and company secretary of HWL and director and 
company secretary of HWL subsidiaries and associated companies. She has over 35 years of experience in the legal, regulatory, 
corporate finance, compliance and corporate governance fields. She is a solicitor qualified in England and Wales, Hong Kong 
and Victoria, Australia and a Fellow of both The Chartered Governance Institute (formerly known as the “Institute of Chartered 
Secretaries and Administrators”) and The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries, holding Chartered Secretary and 
Chartered Governance Professional dual designations.

Naomi Dolmatoff (appointed on 15 April 2019)
BCom., AGIA, ACIS

Naomi Dolmatoff is an experienced Company Secretary and has worked with ASX listed entities in financial services, 
technology, government bodies and mining and resources industries. Ms Dolmatoff holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) 
and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance. Ms Dolmatoff is also an Associate of both The Governance Institute 
of Australia and The Chartered Governance Institute.

Louise Sexton (resigned on 15 April 2019)
BA, LLM, MBA (Exec), GAICD 

Louise Sexton has almost 26 years of experience as a company secretary in listed companies and has been a Company 
Secretary of the Company since 1999. Ms Sexton has practised as a solicitor since 1983 with experience in government, private 
practice and in-house corporate practice. 

11

Remuneration Report 
As at 31 December 2019, the Company had one employee who is not ‘key management personnel’. As at the date of this report, 
the Company does not have any employees who are ‘key management personnel’. This report does not include any information 
relating to the employees or employment practices of VHA as it is not a subsidiary of the Company.

The compensation philosophy and policies referred to remain in place notwithstanding their currently limited application.

Compensation philosophy and practice
The Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on 
compensation policies and packages for all staff, including Board members. The Company’s compensation policy is designed to 
ensure that remuneration strategies are competitive, innovative, support the business objectives and reflect company performance. 
The Company’s performance is measured according to the achievement of key financial and non-financial measures as approved 
by the Board, and key management personnel’s remuneration packages (other than Directors) would be directly linked to 
these measures. The Group has been committed to ensuring it has compensation arrangements which would reflect individual 
performance, overall contribution to the Company’s performance and developments in the external market. Written service 
agreements setting out remuneration and other terms of employment would be required for key management personnel. 

Principles used to determine the nature and amount of remuneration
The Company’s compensation policy is designed to ensure that remuneration strategies are competitive, innovative and 
support the business objectives while reflecting individual performance, overall contribution to the business and developments 
in the external market. Remuneration packages would generally involve a balance between fixed and performance based 
components, the latter being assessed against objectives which include both company and job specific financial and 
non-financial measures. These measures at the financial level directly relate to the key management’s contribution to 
meeting or exceeding the Company’s statement of comprehensive income and statement of financial position targets. At the 
non-financial level, the measures would reflect the contribution to achieving a range of key performance indicators as well 
as building a high performance company culture. The performance conditions are chosen to reflect an appropriate balance 
between achieving financial targets and building a business and organisation to be sustainable for the long term.

Directors’ fees
The remuneration of the non-executive and independent Directors, Mr Justin Herbert Gardener and Mr John Michael Scanlon, 
comprised a fixed amount only and was not performance based. The non-executive and non-independent Directors, 
Mr Fok Kin Ning, Canning, Mr Barry Roberts-Thomson, Mrs Susan Mo Fong Chow, Mr Lai Kai Ming, Dominic, Mr Frank John Sixt, 
Mr Ronald Joseph Spithill, and Mr Woo Chiu Man, Cliff did not receive any remuneration for their services as Directors.

12

Directors’ Report continuedHutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Retirement allowances for Directors
No retirement allowances are payable to non-executive Directors.

Key management personnel
The Directors of HTAL are the key management personnel of HTAL having the authority and responsibility for planning, 
directing and managing activities for the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

The appointment of Mr Fok Kin Ning, Canning, Mr Lai Kai Ming, Dominic, Mr Frank John Sixt, and Mr Woo Chiu Man, Cliff is part 
of and in conjunction with their executive duties within the CKHH group. Mrs Susan Mo Fong Chow’s appointment is also in 
conjunction with her directorship within the CKHH Group. They are not separately remunerated by the Company for their services. 
The remuneration details of these directors are available from the disclosure in their respective CKHH group annual reports. 

Details of remuneration 
Details of the remuneration of each Director of HTAL including their personally-related entities, are set out in the following tables.

Directors of HTAL

2019

Name

Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Susan Mo Fong Chow^

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic

John Michael Scanlon

Frank John Sixt

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

Total

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

Cash salary
and fees
$

Cash bonus
$

Non-monetary
benefits
$

–

–

–

50,000 

–

50,000 

–

–

–

 100,000

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

– 

POST-
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

SHARE-BASED 
PAYMENTS

Superannuation 

$

–

–

–

4,750

–

4,750

–

–

–

 9,500

Options
$

–

–

–

– 

–

– 

–

–

–

–

Total
$

–

–

–

54,750

–

54,750

–

–

–

109,500

^  Appointed as Director with effect from 9 December 2019

Mr Fok Kin Ning, Canning, Mrs Susan Mo Fong Chow, Mr Lai Kai Ming, Dominic, Mr Frank John Sixt and Mr Woo Chiu Man, Cliff, 
as officers of CKHH group, are remunerated for their duties within the CKHH Group which include their directorships of HTAL.

13

2018

Name

Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic

John Michael Scanlon

Frank John Sixt

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

Total

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

Cash salary
and fees
$

Cash bonus
$

Non-monetary 
benefits
$

–

–

50,000 

–

50,000 

–

–

–

 100,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

POST-
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

SHARE-BASED 
PAYMENTS

Superannuation 

$

–

–

4,750

–

4,750

–

–

–

 9,500

Options
$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
$

–

–

54,750

–

54,750

–

–

–

109,500

Share-based compensation
No ordinary shares were issued on the exercise of options during the year to any of the Directors or former key 
management personnel.

No Directors were issued options during the year or hold options over the ordinary shares of the Company. No options were 
vested and unexercisable at the end of the year.

14

Directors’ Report continuedHutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Shareholdings 
The number of shares in the Company held during the financial year by each Director, including their personally-related 
entities, are set out below.

Directors of HTAL

Name

Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Susan Mo Fong Chow^

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic

John Michael Scanlon

Frank John Sixt

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

ORDINARY SHARES

Received
during the
year on the
exercise of
options

Changes
during
the year

Balance
at the end
of the year

– 

– 

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

 – 

 – 

 –

–

 5,100,000*

 83,918,337**

–

1,957,358 

– 

 – 

 1,000,000 

 –

–

Balance
at the start
of the year 

5,100,000* 

83,918,337**

–

1,957,358

 – 

 – 

 1,000,000

 –

–

*  Direct holding of 100,000 shares 
**  Direct holding of 4,540 shares 
^   Appointed as Director with effect from 9 December 2019

Shares under option
As at the date of this report there were no unissued ordinary shares of HTAL under option. 

Shares issued on the exercise of options
No ordinary shares of HTAL were issued during the year ended 31 December 2019 or up to the date of this report on the 
exercise of options.

Loans to Directors and key management personnel
There were no loans made to the Directors of the Company, including their personally-related entities, during the years ended 
31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018.

Other transactions with Directors and key management personnel
There were no other transactions with Directors for the years ended 31 December 2019 or ended 31 December 2018.

15

Non-audit services
HTAL may decide to employ the auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties 
where the auditor’s expertise and experience with the Company are important.

The Board of Directors, in accordance with the advice received from the Audit & Risk Committee, is satisfied that the provision 
of the non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations 
Act 2001 (Cth). The Directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services by the auditor did not compromise the 
auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee to ensure they do not impact the integrity and 

objectivity of the auditor; and 

•  none of the services undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of 

Ethics for Professional Accountants, including reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own work, acting in a management or a 
decision-making capacity for the Company, acting as advocate for the Company or jointly sharing economic risk and rewards.

Details of the amounts paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers for audit and non-audit services provided during the year are set out 
in Note 14, Remuneration of auditors, on page 36 of the financial report.

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is set out 
on page 17.

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
During the financial year, CKHH paid a premium to insure the Directors and officers of the Group against loss or liability arising 
out of a claim for a wrongful act, including any costs, charges and expenses that may be incurred in defending any actions, 
suits, proceedings or claims. This does not include such liabilities that arise from conduct involving a wilful breach of duty by 
the officer or the improper use by the officers of their position to gain advantage for themselves or someone else or to cause 
detriment to the Company.

Proceedings on behalf of HTAL
No person has applied to the Court under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for leave to bring proceedings on 
behalf of HTAL, or to intervene in any proceedings to which HTAL is a party, for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf 
of HTAL for all or part of those proceedings.

No proceedings have been brought or intervened in on behalf of HTAL with leave of the Court under section 237 of the 
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Rounding of amounts to nearest thousand dollars
The Group is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 issued 
by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ report 
and financial statements. Amounts in the Directors’ report and financial report have been rounded off in accordance with that 
Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases to the nearest dollar or cent.

Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance with section 327B of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Director  
26 February 2020

Director 
26 February 2020 

16

Directors’ Report continuedHutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Auditor’s Independence 
Declaration

17

Financial Report

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Contents

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Notes to the Financial Statements

Note 1

Summary of significant accounting policies

Note 2

Changes in accounting policies and estimates

Note 3

Revenue

Note 4

Income tax

Note 5

Current assets – Cash and cash equivalents

Note 6

Loans and receivables

Note 7

Non-current assets – Investment accounted for using the equity method

Note 8

Controlled entities

Note 9

Current liabilities – Payables

Note 10

Current liabilities – Other financial liabilities

Note 11

Contributed equity

Note 12

Reserves and accumulated losses

Note 13

Director and key management personnel compensation

Note 14

Remuneration of auditors

Note 15

Contingencies

Note 16

Commitments

Note 17

Related party transactions

Note 18

Deed of cross guarantee

Note 19

Segment reporting

Note 20 Reconciliation of profit/(loss) after income tax to net cash inflows from operating activities

Note 21

Earnings per share

Note 22

Financial risk management

Note 23

Events occurring after the reporting date

Note 24

Parent entity disclosures

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditor’s Report

19

20

21

22

23

23

28

30

30

30

31

31

33

33

33

34

35

36

36

36

37

37

38

40

40

41

41

43

44

45

46

These financial statements cover the consolidated financial statements for the group consisting of Hutchison Telecommunications 
(Australia) Limited (“HTAL”) and its controlled entities. The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars.

HTAL is a company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office and principal place of 
business is:

Level 1, 177 Pacific Highway, 
North Sydney NSW 2060

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 26 February 2020. The Company has the power to 
amend and reissue the financial statements.

18

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Consolidated Statement 
of Profit or Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Revenue

Other operating expenses

Share of net losses of VHA Joint Venture accounted for using the equity method

Profit/(loss) before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges (share of VHA Joint Venture)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year attributable to members  
of the Company

Earnings per share for profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Notes

3

7

4

12

12

21

21

2019
$’000

5,697

2018
$’000

10,619

(1,423)

(1,162)

(159,144)

(4,982)

(154,870)

4,475

–

–

(154,870)

4,475

(494)

(494)

212

212

(155,364)

4,687

Cents

Cents

(1.14)

(1.14)

0.03

0.03

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

19

Consolidated Statement 
of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2019

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables

Other receivables

Total Current Assets

Non-current Assets

Loans and receivables

Investment accounted for using the equity method

Total Non-current Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Payables

Other financial liabilities

Total Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

Notes

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

5

6

6

7

9

10

11

12

12

108,057

76,193

13

18,598 

434

6 

184,263

19,038

–

–

–

160,765

159,638

320,403

184,263

339,441

558

372 

248,790

248,790 

249,348

249,348

249,162 

249,162 

(65,085)

90,279

4,204,488

4,204,488 

70,368

70,862 

(4,339,941)

(4,185,071) 

(65,085)

90,279

The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

20

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2019

ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY

Contributed
equity
$’000

Notes

Capital
redemption
reserve
$’000

Cash flow
hedging
reserve
$’000

Share-based
payments
 reserve
$’000

Accumulated
losses
$’000

Balance at 1 January 2018

4,204,488 

54,887 

15,880 

(4,189,546)

 –

 –

 –

 – 

 – 

 – 

4,204,488 

4,204,488 

54,887 

54,887 

–

–

–

–

–

–

12

12

Total equity
$’000

85,592

4,475

4,475

 –

212

4,475

4,687

 –

 –

 –

15,880 

(4,185,071)

15,880 

(4,185,071)

90,279

90,279

–

–

–

(154,870)

(154,870)

–

(494)

(154,870)

(155,364)

(117)

 –

212

212

95

95

–

(494)

(494)

Profit for the year

Share of VHA Joint 
Venture’s changes in the 
fair value of cash flow 
hedges

Total comprehensive 
income for the year, net 
of tax

Balance at 
31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2019

Loss for the year

Share of VHA Joint 
Venture’s changes in the 
fair value of cash flow 
hedges

Total comprehensive loss 
for the year, net of tax

Balance at 
31 December 2019

4,204,488

54,887

(399)

15,880

(4,339,941)

(65,085)

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

21

Consolidated Statement 
of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST)

Interest received

Net cash inflows from operating activities

Cash Flows from Investing Activities1,2

Repayment of loans from VHA Joint Venture

Net cash inflows from investing activities

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Repayment of borrowings – entity within the CKHH Group

Net cash outflows from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Notes

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

(1,236)

5,931

4,695

(982)

10,696

9,714

20

84,764

84,764

–

–

89,459

18,598

5

108,057

–

–

–

–

9,714

8,884

18,598

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

1.  The cash flows in respect of the $84.8 million increase in cash and cash equivalents relates to VHA repayment of the working capital facility. Management 
has used the $84.8 million to repay the credit agreement from an entity within the CKHH Group subsequent to the issue of the financial statements. Refer 
to Note 23 for reference to this subsequent event.

2.  The cash flows in respect of the 2018 $115.2 million decrease in Loans and Receivables and decrease in Other financial liabilities are composed of a 
$115.2 million repayment of borrowings from CKHH Group. The decrease of $115.2 million loans from VHA Joint Venture (an investing activity) were 
respectively satisfied by an entity within the CKHH Group which extends the loans from the Group.

22

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Note 1   Summary of significant 

accounting policies

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited (the 
“Company” or “Parent Entity”) is a company limited by 
shares incorporated in Australia whose shares are publicly 
traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. The nature of 
the operations and principal activities of the Company and 
its subsidiaries (the “Group” or “HTAL”) are described in the 
Directors’ report. The financial statements were authorised 
and issued by the Board on the 26th of February 2020. 

Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited or “VHA” is a joint 
venture in which HTAL has a 50% shareholding.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation 
of the financial statements are set out below. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, 
unless otherwise stated. 

(a)  Basis of preparation
These general purpose financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 
(Cth), Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by 
the Australian Accounting Standards Board and comply 
with other requirements of the law. The accounting policies 
adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial 
year, unless otherwise stated.

For financial reporting purposes the Company is considered 
a “for-profit” entity.

Comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to the 
presentation of the financial statements and notes for 
the current financial year, where required. Amendments 
have been made to comparatives as appropriate to enhance 
comparability.

(b)  Going concern
As at 31 December 2019, the Group has a deficiency of 
net current assets of $65.1 million (2018: net current assets 
deficiency of $230.1 million). Included in the Group’s current 
liabilities is an amount of $248.8 million (2018: $248.8 million) 
which relates to an interest free financing facility provided 
from a subsidiary of the ultimate parent entity, CK Hutchison 
Holdings Limited (“CKHH”), which is repayable on demand. 
The Group has unused financing facilities of $1,351.2 million at 
31 December 2019. CKHH has confirmed its current intention 
is to provide sufficient financial support to enable the Group 
to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due for 
a minimum period of twelve months from the date of signing 
these financial statements. Consequently, the Directors have 
prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Statement of compliance
Accounting Standards include Australian equivalents to 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“AIFRS”). 
Compliance with AIFRS ensures that the financial statements 
and notes of the Group comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

As a consequence of the financial reporting relief provided 
by ASIC Class Order 10/654, the consolidated financial 
statements are presented without the parent entity financial 
statements. Disclosures in relation to the parent entity 
required under paragraph 295(3)(a) of the Corporations Act 
2001 (Cth) have been included in Note 24.

Historical cost convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention.

(c)  Principles of consolidation
(i)  Subsidiaries

A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group has control. 
The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed, or 
has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the 
entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its 
power over the entity. 

(ii)  Joint arrangements

A joint arrangement is an arrangement of which two or 
more parties have joint control and over which none of the 
participating parties has unilateral control.

Investments in joint arrangements are classified either as joint 
operations or joint ventures, depending on the contractual 
rights and obligations each investor has under the relevant 
contract. Joint operations arise where the investors have 
rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities of an 
arrangement. A joint operator accounts for its share of the 
assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Joint ventures 
arise where the investors have rights to the net assets 
of the arrangement. Joint ventures are accounted for 
under the equity method, after initially being recognised 
at cost in the consolidated balance sheet.

The results and net assets of joint ventures are incorporated in 
these accounts using the equity method of accounting, except 
when the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case 
it is accounted for under AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for 
Sale and Discontinued Operations. The total carrying amount 
of such investments is reduced to recognise any identified 
impairment loss in the value of individual investments.

23

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability 
method, on temporary differences arising between the tax 
bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in 
the consolidated financial statements.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised 
to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences 
can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised 
if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the 
initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of 
other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither 
the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary 
difference and unused tax losses only if it is probable that 
future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those 
temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary 
differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and 
associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where 
the associated entity is able to control the reversal of the 
temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary 
difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at 
each statement of financial position date and reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable 
profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to 
be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected 
to apply in the period when the liability is settled, or the 
asset realised, based on tax rates (and laws) that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement 
of financial position date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is 
a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and 
liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the 
same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities 
are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to 
offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise 
the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Tax is charged or credited to the statement of profit or loss 
and other comprehensive income, except when it relates to 
items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case 
the tax is also recognised directly in equity.

HTAL and its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries have not 
implemented the tax consolidation legislation.

Note 1   Summary of significant 

accounting policies continued

(c)  Principles of consolidation continued
(iii)  Equity method

Under the equity method of accounting, the investments 
are initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter to 
recognise the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or 
losses of the investee in profit or loss, and the Group’s share 
of movements in other comprehensive income of the investee 
in other comprehensive income. Dividends received or 
receivable from joint ventures are recognised as a reduction 
in the carrying amount of the investment.

When the Group’s share of losses in an equity-accounted 
investment equals or exceeds its interest in the entity, 
including any other unsecured long-term receivables, the 
Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the other entity.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its 
associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of 
the Group’s interest in these entities. Unrealised losses are 
also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of 
an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies 
and estimates of equity accounted investees have been 
changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the 
policies adopted by the Group.

The carrying amount of equity accounted investment is 
tested for impairment in accordance with Note 1(g).

(d)  Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s 
subsidiaries are measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the entity operates (‘the 
functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements 
are presented in Australian dollars, which is HTAL’s functional 
and presentation currency.

(e)  Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. Amounts disclosed as revenue are 
net of returns, trade allowances and duties and taxes paid. 
Revenue is recognised as described below:

Interest income

Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method. 

(f)  Income tax
The current tax payable or recoverable is based on taxable 
profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as 
reported in the statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income because some items of income or 
expense are taxable or deductible in different years or may 
never be taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for 
current tax is calculated using Australian tax rates (and laws) 
that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
statement of financial position date.

24

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019(g)  Impairment of assets
The investment in the VHA Joint Venture is tested for 
impairment annually and when there is an indication that 
it may be impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment 
whenever there is any indication that the carrying value of 
these assets may not be recoverable. If any such indication 
exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated 
to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value 
less costs to dispose and value in use. Such impairment loss 
is recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income. 

(h)  Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and 
demand deposits, and other short-term highly liquid 
investments that are readily convertible to a known amount 
of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in 
value.

(i)  Other receivables
Other receivables are initially recognised at amortised cost, 
collectability is then reviewed on an ongoing basis.

(j)  Loan receivables at amortised cost
Loan receivables are initially recognised at amortised cost 
and collectability is then reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
Contractual cash flows are solely principal and interest and 
the objective of the Group’s business model is achieved 
by collecting contractual cash flows.

(k)  Derivative financial instruments and 

hedging activities 

Derivative financial instruments are utilised by the Group 
in the management of its foreign currency and interest rate 
exposures. The Group’s policy is not to utilise derivative 
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. 

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a 
derivative contract is entered and are subsequently remeasured 
to fair value at each reporting date. The accounting for 
subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the 
derivative is designated as a hedging instrument. The Group 
designates certain derivatives as; (1) hedges of the fair value of 
recognised assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value 
hedge); or (2) hedges of risk associated with the cash flows of 
recognised assets and liabilities and highly probable forecast 
transactions (cash flow hedges).

At inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents 
the economic relationships between hedging instruments and 
hedged items including whether changes in the cash flows 
of the hedging instruments are expected to offset changes 
in the cash flows of hedged items. The Group documents 
its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking 
its hedge transactions. The fair value of derivative financial 
instruments designated in hedge relationships are separately 
identified and disclosed. The full fair value of a hedging 
derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when 
the remaining maturity of the hedged items is more than 
12 months; it is classified as a current asset or liability when the 
remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group has not engaged in any 
hedging activities and only equity accounts for the share of 
the fair value changes of the cash flow hedge from the VHA 
Joint Venture investment.

(i)  Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated 
and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the statement 
of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, together 
with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or 
liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

(ii)   Cash flow hedge

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives 
that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is 
recognised in equity in the hedging reserve. The gain or loss 
relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately 
in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive 
income within other income or other expenses.

(l)  Goodwill
Goodwill as part of joint venture equity accounting is initially 
measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration 
transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in 
the acquire, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously 
held equity interest in the acquire (if any) over the fair value 
of the net identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed. If, after reassessment, the Group’s interest in the 
fair value of the acquirer’s identifiable net assets exceeds 
the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of 
any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair 
value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the 
acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised immediately in 
the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive 
income as a bargain purchase gain.

Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in intangible 
assets. Goodwill is not amortised. Instead, goodwill is tested for 
impairment annually, or more frequently if, events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is carried 
at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses 
on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of 
goodwill relating to the entity sold. Goodwill is allocated to 
cash-generating units for impairment testing. 

Goodwill on acquisitions of associates/joint ventures is 
included in investments accounted for using the equity 
method and is tested whenever an event or periodically tested 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicated that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

25

Note 1   Summary of significant 

accounting policies continued

(m)   Payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services 
provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial period 
and which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are 
usually paid or payable within 30 days of recognition.

(n)  Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value. Borrowings 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost. 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the 
Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of 
the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. 

(o)  Contributed equity
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Refer to Note 11 for 
further information.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new 
shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net 
of tax, from the proceeds.

(p)  Earnings per share 
(i)  Basic earnings per share 

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the 
amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of 
GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority 
is included within other receivables or payables in the 
statement of financial position.

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components 
of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities 
which are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation 
authority, are presented as operating cash flows.

(r)  Segment reporting
An operating segment is a component of an entity that 
engages in business activities from which it may earn 
revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are 
regularly reviewed by the entity’s chief operating decision 
maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated 
to the segment and assess its performance and for which 
discrete financial information is available. 

Operating segments have been identified based on the 
information provided to the chief operating decision maker. 
Operating segments that meet the quantitative criteria as 
prescribed by AASB 8 Operating Segments are reported 
separately. Refer to Note 19 for details of the Group’s operating 
segment, being investment in telecommunication services.

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing:

(s)  Critical accounting estimates and 

•  the profit or loss attributable to members of the Company; 

assumptions

and

•  by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 

outstanding during the financial year.

(ii)  Diluted earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the 
determination of basic earnings per share to consider:

•  the after income tax effect of interest and other financing 

costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares; and

•  the weighted average number of additional ordinary 

shares that would have been outstanding assuming the 
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

(q)  Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the 
amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not 
recoverable from the taxation authority. In this case it is 
recognised as part of the cost of the acquisition of the 
asset or as part of the expense. 

The preparation of financial statements often requires the 
use of judgements to select specific accounting methods and 
policies from several acceptable alternatives. Furthermore, 
significant estimates and assumptions concerning the future 
may be required in selecting and applying those methods 
and policies in the accounts. The Group bases its estimates 
and judgements on historical experience and various other 
assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the 
circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates 
and judgements under different assumptions or conditions.

(i)  Impairment of investments in controlled entities 

and joint venture

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, the 
investments in controlled entities and the joint venture 
are periodically tested for impairment whenever events 
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount 
of the Company’s investment in controlled entities, and the 
recoverable amount of the Group’s investment in its joint 
venture are determined as the higher of the fair value less 
cost of disposal or value in use methodology. The underlying 
calculation is based on the approved business plan for VHA. 
VHA uses a weighted average cost of capital (‘WACC’) 
methodology to compute its discount rate, with reference 
to external and internal data and risk assessment. VHA 
compares this WACC to external market data of a selection 
of peer companies and is satisfied that the WACC for VHA 
is in the range that a market participant would apply. These 
calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions.

26

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019A discounted cash flow calculation is undertaken on the 
approved business plan. A discounted cash flow calculation 
based on VHA five-year financial plan was prepared. A 
terminal value is calculated on the cash flows. The cash flows 
are then discounted using a suitable discount rate consistent 
with recent internal assessments of the Group’s weighted 
average cost of capital. The resulting net present value is 
compared to the balance of the Group’s equity accounted for 
investment in VHA Joint Venture. HTAL’s share of VHA value 
in use is in excess of the investment book value.

The Directors believe that the carrying values of the Group’s 
investment in VHA Joint Venture as at 31 December 2019 is 
appropriate and are not aware of any events or changes since 
the year end which may potentially impair the carrying values 
of the Group’s investment in VHA Joint Venture as at the 
statement of financial position date.

(u)  Parent entity financial information
The financial information for the parent entity disclosed 
in Note 24 has been prepared on the same basis as the 
consolidated financial statements, except investments in 
subsidiaries and VHA Joint Venture entities are accounted 
for at cost in the financial statements of HTAL.

(v)  New accounting standards and 

Interpretations

Accounting standards issued and mandatorily effective in 
the current year

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised effective/
applicable standards, amendments and interpretations issued 
by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (“AASB”) that 
are relevant to the Group’s operations and mandatory for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. These are:

(ii)  Recovery of deferred tax assets

•  AASB 16 Leases

•  AASB 2017–7 Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Long-term Interests in Associates and 
Joint Ventures 

•  AASB 2018–1 Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Annual Improvements 2015–2017 Cycle

• 

Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

The Group and VHA Joint Venture had to change its 
accounting policies as a result of adopting AASB 16. The 
Group elected to adopt the new rules retrospectively and 
recognised the cumulative effect of initially applying the 
new standard on 1 January 2019. This is disclosed in Note 2. 
The other amendments listed above did not have any impact 
on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not 
expected to significantly affect the current or future periods.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have 
been published that are not mandatory for 31 December 2019 
reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the 
Group. These standards are not expected to have a material 
impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods 
and on foreseeable future transactions.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary 
differences if management considers that it is probable that 
sufficient future taxable profits will be available to utilise those 
temporary differences. Significant management judgement is 
required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that 
can be recognised, based upon the likely timing and level of 
taxable profits generated in the foreseeable future together 
with future tax profit. Deferred tax assets have not been 
recognized as there is no convincing evidence that sufficient 
future taxable profit will be available against which unused 
tax losses or unused tax credits can be utilised.

(iii)  Unrecognised losses in relation to the joint venture

The Group’s investment in the VHA Joint Venture is carried to 
the extent that the entity has incurred legal or constructive 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. Share 
of the VHA Joint Venture’s losses beyond the investment will 
thereby not be recognised. If the joint venture subsequently 
reports profits, the entity resumes recognising its share of those 
profits only after its share of the profits equals the share of 
losses not recognised. Refer to Note 2(b) for further information 
in relation to the joint venture accounting adjustment.

(t)  Rounding of amounts to nearest 

thousand dollars

The Group is of a kind referred in Corporations (Rounding 
in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 issued 
by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, 
relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ 
report and financial statements. Amounts in the financial 
statements have been rounded off in accordance with that 
Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain 
cases, the nearest dollar or cent.

27

Note 2   Change in accounting policies 

(i)  Practical expedients applied

and estimates

(a)  AASB 16 Leases
This note explains the impact of the adoption of AASB 16 
Leases on the Group’s financial statements.

The Group and the VHA Joint Venture adopted AASB 16 
from 1 January 2019 but has not restated comparatives for 
the 2018 reporting period, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions in the standard. The reclassifications 
and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules 
are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 
1 January 2019. The Group did not make any adjustments 
on adoption of AASB 16 as the Group did not have any 
lease contracts.

On adoption of AASB 16, the VHA Joint Venture recognised 
lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been 
classified as ‘operating leases’ under the principles of AASB 117 
Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of 
the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The weighted 
average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the 
lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 ranged between 4.15% to 
8.10% depending on the remaining lease term on adoption.

For leases previously classified as finance leases the Group 
recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset and lease 
liability immediately before transition as the carrying amount 
of the right of use asset and the lease liability at the date 
of initial application. The measurement principles of AASB 
16 are only applied after that date. The VHA Joint Venture 
did not remeasure any lease liabilities or right-of-use assets 
associated with leases previously classified as finance leases 
on the date of initial application.

In applying AASB 16 for the first time, the Group and the VHA 
Joint Venture have used the following practical expedients 
permitted by the standard:

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected not to apply AASB 
16 to contracts that were not previously identified as 
containing a lease applying AASB 117 and Interpretation 4;

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected to apply AASB 16 

based on a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics 
as the VHA Joint Venture reasonably expects that the 
effects on the financial statements of applying AASB 16 to 
the portfolio would not differ materially from applying this 
standard to the individual leases within that portfolio;

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected to use a single 

discount rate to measure lease liabilities for each identified 
portfolio of leases having reasonably similar characteristics 
and lease term. Further, management has assessed that 
discount rates across each portfolio of leases are similar 
taking into consideration feedback from surveyed financial 
institutions on incremental borrowing rates available for 
the VHA Joint Venture as a lessee, and the nature of each 
lease portfolio. These discount rates range between 4.15% 
to 8.10% depending on the lease term;

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected to rely on its 

assessment of whether leases are onerous by applying the 
requirements of AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities 
and Contingent Assets immediately before transition 
rather than performing an impairment review on adoption. 
These onerous provisions will be adjusted against the 
right-of-use assets recognised on transition;

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected to exclude the initial 
direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use 
asset at the date of initial application;

•  The VHA Joint Venture has elected to use hindsight where 
applicable when determining lease term and inclusions of 
options to extend or terminate the lease; and

•  On a lease by lease basis, the VHA Joint Venture has 

determined whether to apply the practical expedient in 
relation to not measuring the lease liability for leases with 
a lease term that will end within 12 months of the date of 
initial application.

28

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019(ii)  Measurement of VHA’s lease liabilities 

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 December 2018

Discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate of at the date of initial application

(Less): short-term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense

(Less): lease offset as a result of site sharing agreement

Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019

Add: finance lease liabilities recognised as at 31 December 2018

Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019

Of which are:

Current lease liabilities

Non-current lease liabilities

2019
$’000

1,760,478

(469,460)

(8,335)

(214,646)

1,068,037

591,600

1,659,637

153,171

1,506,466

1,659,637

(iii)  Measurement of the VHA Joint Venture’s right of use assets

The associated right-of-use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any 
prepaid or accrued lease payments, and onerous provisions relating to that lease recognised in the balance sheet as at 
31 December 2018. On 1 January 2019, the recognised right-of-use assets relate to the following types of assets:

Network Assets

Properties

Total right-of-use assets

2019
$’000

526,528

1,013,593

1,540,121

(iv)  Adjustments recognised in the VHA Joint Venture’s balance sheet on 1 January 2019

The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet of the VHA Joint Venture on 1 January 2019:

•  Property, plant and equipment – decrease by $526,528,000

•  Right-of-use assets – increase by $1,540,121,000

•  Other assets (Prepayments) – decrease by $39,395,000

•  Trade and other receivables (Investment in sublease) – increase by $17,661,000

•  Borrowings – decrease by $591,600,000

•  Lease liabilities – increase by $1,659,637,000

•  Other liabilities – decrease by $76,177,000

There was no impact on retained earnings of the VHA Joint Venture on 1 January 2019.

(b)  VHA Joint Venture accounting adjustments
Depreciation of operating assets constitutes a substantial operating cost for the VHA Joint Venture. The cost of fixed assets 
is charged as a depreciation expense over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets using the straight-line method 
and this is reflected in the “Share of net losses of VHA Joint Venture accounted for using the equity method” in HTAL’s 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The Group decided to revise the useful life of some 
of its existing network assets from up to 20 years to between 3 and 18 years, which is consistent with the estimates adopted 
by the VHA Joint Venture. Along with the assessment of operating leases for AASB 16 resulting in the recognition of “right 
of use” assets, this change was made having considered developments in the environment, as a result of the Government 
issued security guidance advising network operators that the use of 5G equipment supplied by banned vendors from 
certain countries would not be permitted due to national security concerns; and the announced proposed merger between 
TPG Telecom Limited and VHA to become a full-service telecommunications company in Australia.

In implementing the revised useful lives, management has applied the change in the depreciation based on an assessment of 
individual asset lives prospectively from 1 January 2019 as required under Australian Accounting Standards. This will decrease/
(increase) the share of VHA’s profit/(loss) by $202.9 million over the remaining useful lives. The change has been disclosed as 
the VHA Joint Venture accounting adjustments in Note 7.

29

Note 3  Revenue

Other revenue

Interest

Other income

Note 4  Income tax

(a) Income tax expense

Deferred tax 

(b) Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable

Profit/(loss) from operations before income tax expense

Tax at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2018: 30%)

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income:

Share of losses of VHA Joint Venture

Deferred tax on temporary difference not recognised

Previously unrecognised tax losses now recouped to reduce current tax expense

Income tax expense 

(c) Unrecognised tax losses

Opening balance

Tax losses utilised during completion of income tax return

Tax losses recouped to reduce current tax expense

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax assets have been recognised

Potential tax benefit @ 30% (2018: 30%)

All unused tax losses were incurred by Australian entities.

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

5,697

10,585 

–

5,697

34

10,619

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

–

–

(154,870)

(46,461)

47,743

1,282

12

4,475

1,343

1,495

2,838 

12

(1,294)

(2,850)

–

– 

164,826

174,322 

–

–

(4,314)

(9,496)

160,512

48,154

164,826

49,448 

This benefit for tax losses will only be obtained if the specific entity carrying forward the tax losses derives future assessable 
income of a nature and of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit from the deductions for the losses to be realised, and the 
company complies with the conditions for deductibility imposed by tax legislation.

(d)  Recognised deferred tax assets      
There are no recognised deferred tax assets at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018.

Note 5  Current assets – Cash and cash equivalents

2019
$’000

108,057

2018
$’000

18,598

Cash at bank

30

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Note 6  Loans and receivables  

Total current 

Total non-current

Receivable from VHA Joint Venture (Note 17)

2019
$’000

76,193

2018
$’000

434

–

160,765

76,193

161,199

Receivable from VHA Joint Venture  
At 31 December 2019, the $76.2 million pertains to an unsecured working capital facility (2018: $161.2 million). The weighted 
average interest on the working capital facility was charged at 3.44 % p.a. (2018: 4.0%).

Further information relating to receivable from VHA Joint Venture is set out in Note 17.

(a)  Fair value
The carrying values of the current and non-current receivables are at cost and approximate to their fair value.

(b)  Foreign currency and interest rate risk
The carrying amounts of the Group’s current and non-current receivables and financial assets are denominated in the 
following currencies:

Australian dollars

2019
$’000

76,193

76,193

2018
$’000

161,199 

161,199 

For an analysis of the sensitivity of other financial assets to interest rate risk refer to Note 22.

(c)  Credit risk  
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivables mentioned above. 
The receivable is current with no indication of impairment. The Group does not hold any collateral as security. Refer to Note 22 
for more information on the risk management policy of the Group.

Note 7  Non-current assets – Investment accounted for using the equity method
HTAL and Vodafone Group Plc each own a 50 per cent interest in a joint venture named Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty 
Limited (“VHA”), which is involved in providing telecommunication services in Australia. HTAL’s interest in VHA is held by a 
controlled entity, Hutchison 3G Australia Holdings Pty Limited (“H3GAH”) and is accounted for in the consolidated financial 
reports using the equity method Note 1(c)(iii). 

The aggregate share of losses from VHA for the year ended 31 December 2019 is $159,144,000 (2018: $4,982,000). Information 
relating to the joint venture is set out below:

Reconciliation of interest in VHA Joint Venture

Investment brought forward

Adjustment on the adoption of AASB 15 (net of tax)

Loss for the year

Share of change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

Interest in VHA Joint Venture at 31 December

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

159,638

167,008 

–

(159,144)

(494)

(2,600)

(4,982)

212

–

159,638

31

Note 7  Non-current assets – Investment accounted for using the equity method continued
Summarised financial information of the joint venture, based on its Australian Accounting Standards financial statements and 
reconciliation with the carrying amount of the investment in consolidated financial statements, are set out below: 

Summarised Statement of Financial position of VHA

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net (Liabilities)

Proportion of the Group’s ownership

Share of the VHA Joint Venture’s net liabilities

Goodwill

Cumulative joint venture accounting adjustments

Cumulative unrecognised share of VHA Joint Venture loss

Carrying amount of the investment

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

1,421,176

1,350,623

7,324,591

6,828,915

(6,627,170)

(3,380,689)

(3,320,962)

(5,720,915)

(1,202,365)

(922,066)

50%

50%

(601,183)

(461,033)

165,321

165,321

202,900

455,350

232,962

–

–

159,638

The carrying value of HTAL’s investment in VHA is predicated on the ongoing financial support from both of VHA’s ultimate 
shareholders. At 31 December 2019, HTAL’s share of VHA’s net current asset deficiency is $2,603.0 million (2018: net current 
assets deficiency of $1,015.0 million). While HTAL is one of the shareholders of the VHA Joint Venture, HTAL does not have a 
present obligation (legal or constructive) to meet VHA’s financial obligations as and when they fall due. Both of VHA’s ultimate 
shareholders, CKHH and Vodafone Group Plc have each confirmed their current intention to provide sufficient financial support 
to enable VHA to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due for a minimum period of twelve months from the date 
of signing the VHA financial statements as at 31 December 2019 unless the merger is effective within the twelve month period. 
HTAL has discontinued the recognition of its share of losses exceeding HTAL’s interest in the VHA Joint Venture in accordance 
with Australian Accounting Standards. 

Summarised statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of VHA

Revenues

Expenses

Loss before income tax 

Income tax expense

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

Total comprehensive loss

50% share of VHA’s loss for the year 

VHA Joint Venture accounting adjustments (i)

Unrecognised share of VHA Joint Venture loss

Share of VHA Joint Venture’s loss

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

3,523,414

3,626,366

(3,802,725)

(3,750,809)

(279,311)

(124,443)

–

–

(279,311)

(124,443)

(988)

423

(280,299)

(124,020)

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

(139,656)

(62,222)

(252,450)

57,240

232,962

–

(159,144)

(4,982)

(i)  Joint venture accounting adjustments of the comparative period primarily related to differences in the economic useful lives of property, plant and 

equipment. The current period joint venture accounting adjustments reflect the revised useful life estimate during the period, as disclosed in Note 2(b). 
This change in estimate has resulted in a $309.7 million decrease in VHA Joint Venture accounting adjustment.

32

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019VHA Joint Venture’s financial statements include the following specific items:

Cash and cash equivalents

Current financial liabilities

Non-current financial liabilities

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Finance costs

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

733,569

642,713

(5,339,009)

(2,050,761)

(3,286,968)

(5,544,204)

(1,021,356)

(868,690)

7,344

3,808

(444,005)

(361,802)

Note 8  Controlled entities      
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following controlled entities in 
accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 1(c):

Name of controlled entity

Country of Incorporation

Class of Shares

Hutchison 3G Australia Holdings Pty Limited **

Australia

Ordinary

  EQUITY HOLDING*

2019
%

100

2018
%

100

*   The proportion of ownership interest is equal to the proportion of voting power held.
**  This entity has been granted relief from the necessity to prepare financial reports in accordance with instrument 2016/914 issued by the Australian 

Securities and Investments Commission. 

Note 9  Current liabilities – Payables

Trade creditors

Payables to VHA Joint Venture (Note 17)

2019
$’000

258

300

558

2018
$’000

219 

153

372

Further information relating to payables to VHA Joint Venture is set out in Note 17.

Liquidity risk
A summarised analysis of the Group’s sensitivity of payables to liquidity rate risk can be found in Note 22.

Note 10  Current liabilities – Other financial liabilities

Loan from an entity within the CKHH Group (Note 17)

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

248,790

248,790

(a)  Loan from an entity within the CKHH Group      
Further information relating to the loan from an entity within the CKHH Group is set out in Note 17. The loan from an entity 
within the CKHH Group is an interest free financing facility and is repayable on demand.

33

Note 10  Current liabilities – Other financial liabilities continued
(b)  Financing arrangements
Unrestricted access was available at the statement of financial position date to the following lines of credit.

(c) Other financial liabilities

Total facilities from an entity within the CKHH Group

Used at the statement of financial position date

Unused at the statement of financial position date

Note 11  Contributed equity

Share capital

Ordinary shares (fully paid)

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

1,600,000

1,600,000 

(248,790)

(248,790)

1,351,210

1,351,210

2019
Shares

2018
Shares

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

13,572,508,577 13,572,508,577

4,204,488

4,204,488

(a)  Share capital
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and proceeds on winding up of the company in proportion to the 
number of and amounts paid on the shares held.

On a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a meeting in person or by proxy, is entitled to one vote, and 
upon a poll each share is entitled to one vote.

(b)  Movement in ordinary shares
There has been no movement in the number of shares issued during the years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018.

(c)  Options
There are no options outstanding as at the statement of financial position date.

(d)  Capital risk management
The Group’s primary objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to 
provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders, by pricing loans receivables commensurately with the 
level of risk.

The Group defines capital as total equity attributable to shareholders of the Group, comprising issued share capital and 
reserves, as shown in the consolidated statement of financial position. The Group actively and regularly reviews and manages 
its capital structure to ensure capital and shareholder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of the 
Group and capital efficiency, projected operating cash flows and projected capital expenditures. 

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total capital. 
Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents. Total capital is calculated as ‘Total equity’ as shown 
in the statement of financial position plus net debt.

The gearing ratios at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 were as follows:

Gearing ratio

2019

186%

2018

72%

34

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Note 12  Reserves and accumulated losses
(a) Reserves

Capital reserve

Share of hedging reserve – cash flow hedges

Share-based payments reserve

Movements:

Capital reserve

There has been no movement in the capital reserve during the year.

Share of hedging reserve – cash flow hedges

Balance at 1 January

Hedging movement

Balance at 31 December

Share-based payments reserve 

There has been no movement in the share-based payments reserve during the year. 

(b) Accumulated losses

Accumulated losses at 1 January

Adjustment on the adoption of AASB 15 (net of tax)

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company

Accumulated losses at 31 December

(c)  Nature and purpose of reserves
Capital reserve

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

54,887

54,887 

(399)

15,880

70,368

95

15,880 

70,862

95

(494)

(399)

(117)

212

95

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

(4,185,071)

(4,186,946)

–

(2,600)

(154,870)

4,475

(4,339,941)

(4,185,071)

The capital reserve relates to the surplus arising on initial consolidation of a 19.9% stake in Hutchison 3G Australia Holdings 
Pty Limited.

Hedging reserve – cash flow hedges

The hedging reserve is used to record gains and losses on a hedging instrument in VHA Joint Venture cash flow hedge that 
are recognised directly in equity, as described in Note 1(k)(ii).

Amounts are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income when the associated hedged 
transaction affects profit or loss.

Share-based payments reserve

The share-based payments reserve is used to:

(i)  recognise the grant date fair value of options issued to employees but not exercised; and

(ii)   recognise the fair value of the 850 MHz spectrum licence assigned from Telecom New Zealand (“TCNZ”). The fair value 
was determined by reference to the fair value of the option granted to TCNZ in exchange for the spectrum licence.

35

Note 13  Director and key management personnel compensation
(a)  Director and key management personnel compensation

Short term employee benefits

2019
$

2018
$

109,500

109,500

(b)  Loans to key management personnel and other transactions with key management personnel
There were no loans made to Directors of the Company, including their personally-related entities, during the years ended 
31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018. There were no other transactions with the Directors of the Company for the years 
ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018.

Note 14  Remuneration of auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Assurance services

  Audit services

 Audit and review of financial reports and other audit work under 
the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

Total remuneration for assurance services

Non-Assurance services

Tax services

Total auditors remuneration

2019
$

2018
$

161,670

161,670

105,350

105,350

12,000

–

173,670

105,350

It is the Group’s policy to employ the auditors on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditor’s 
expertise and experience with the Group are important. These assignments are principally tax, compliance and advice. It is the 
Group’s policy to seek competitive tenders for all major consulting projects. 

Note 15  Contingencies  
There were no contingencies for HTAL or its controlled entities at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018. The Directors are 
not aware of any other material contingent liabilities existing at the reporting date. 

Contingencies for the VHA Joint Venture are disclosed below:

Guarantees

Secured guarantees

Unsecured guarantees

Total contingencies

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

37,197

14,648

51,845

46,195

18,935

65,130

VHA’s contingent liabilities consist of $14.6 million (2018: $18.9 million) unsecured guarantees and $37.2 million (2018: $46.2 million) 
secured guarantees. To support the issuance of the guarantees, VHA has placed $18.6 million deposit with the issuing bank.

36

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019 
Note 16  Commitments
There were no commitments contracted by HTAL or its controlled entities not recognised as liabilities or payables at 
31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018. 

Commitments for the VHA Joint Venture are disclosed below:

VHA’s commitments

Operating leases

Right-of-use assets (2018: Finance lease)

Other commitments

Capital commitments

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

–

1,760,478

22,143

180,248

378,426

18,478

127,666

492,451

VHA’s operating leases pertain to various networks sites, offices, retail shops and warehouses under non-cancellable operating 
leases expiring within one to forty years. The leases have varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal rights. On renewal, 
the terms of the leases are renegotiated. 

VHA’s other commitments generally pertain to payment of information technology, network support services and sponsorships 
under contracts in existence at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities. 

VHA’s capital commitments pertain to the acquisition of plant and equipment contracted for at the reporting date but not 
recognised as liabilities or payables.

Note 17  Related party transactions
(a)  Parent entities
The holding company and parent entity is Hutchison Telecommunications (Amsterdam) B.V. which, at 31 December 2019, owns 
approximately 88% of the issued ordinary shares of the Company. The ultimate parent entity is CK Hutchison Holdings Limited 
(incorporated in Cayman Islands).

(b)  Directors
The names of persons who were Directors of the Company at any time during the financial year are as follows:  
FOK Kin Ning, Canning; Barry ROBERTS-THOMSON; Susan Mo Fong CHOW; Justin Herbert GARDENER; LAI Kai Ming, Dominic; 
John Michael SCANLON; Frank John SIXT; Ronald Joseph SPITHILL and WOO Chiu Man, Cliff.

(c)  Key management personnel compensation
Disclosures relating to key management personnel compensation are set out in Note 13.

(d)  Transactions with related parties
During the year, the following transactions occurred with related parties:

Loans to related parties

  Advanced to VHA Joint Venture

Repayments from VHA Joint Venture

Loans from related parties

  Advanced from an entity within the CKHH Group 

Repayments to an entity within the CKHH Group

Interest revenue 

  VHA Joint Venture

Operating expenses

  VHA Joint Venture

2019
$

2018
$

– (40,000,000)

84,764,621

115,235,379

– 40,000,000

–

(115,235,379)

5,399,924

10,368,503

(485,000)

(485,000)

37

 
 
Note 17  Related party transactions continued
(e)  Outstanding balances
The following balances are outstanding at the statement of financial position date in relation to transactions with related parties:

Current financial assets

  VHA Joint Venture (Note 6)

Non-current financial assets

  VHA Joint Venture (Note 6)

Payables

  VHA Joint Venture (Note 9)

Current liabilities – Other financial liabilities

Entity within the CKHH Group (Note 10)

2019
$

2018
$

76,193,205

434,429 

–

160,764,621

(299,635)

(152,952) 

(248,789,571) (248,789,571) 

No provisions for doubtful debts have been raised in relation to any outstanding balances, and no expense has been 
recognised in respect of bad or doubtful debts due from related parties.

(f)  Terms and conditions
All transactions were made on normal commercial terms and conditions and at market rates, except interest on some loans 
between the parties that are interest free. All these loans have been disclosed.

Note 18  Deed of cross guarantee
The Company and Hutchison 3G Australia Holdings Pty Ltd (“H3GAH”) are parties to a deed of cross guarantee, under 
which each company guarantees the debt of the others. There have been no changes to the deed of cross guarantee as at 
31 December 2019 in comparison to 31 December 2018.

(a)  Closed Group consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and a 

summary of movements in the Closed Group consolidated retained earnings

HTAL and H3GAH represented a ‘Closed Group’ for the purposes of the Class Order. As there are no other parties to the deed 
of cross guarantee that are controlled by HTAL, H3GAH also represents the ‘Extended Closed Group’. H3GAH is a holding 
company with no material operations and owns 50% of VHA. 

Set out below is the Closed Group consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and a summary of 
movements in the Closed Group consolidated accumulated losses for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018.

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

5,697

(1,423)

4,274

–

4,274

10,619

(1,162)

9,457

–

9,457

(4,067,299)

(4,076,756)

4,274

9,457

(4,063,025)

(4,067,299)

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Revenue

Other operating expenses

Income before income tax

Income tax expense

Income for the year

Share of movements in consolidated accumulated losses

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the financial year

Income for the year

Accumulated losses at the end of the financial year

38

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019 
(b)  Statement of financial position
Set out below is a statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 of the Closed Group 
consisting of H3GAH and HTAL.

ASSETS

Current Assets

  Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivable

  Other receivables

Total Current Assets

Non-current Assets

Loans and receivable

  Other financial assets

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Payables

  Other financial liabilities

Total Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

108,057

76,193

13

18,598

434

6

184,263

19,038

–

277,315

277,315

461,578

160,765

277,315

438,080

457,118

558

372

248,790

248,790

249,348

249,348

249,162

249,162

212,230

207,956

4,204,488

4,204,488

70,767

70,767

(4,063,025)

(4,067,299)

212,230

207,956

39

 
 
 
Note 19  Segment reporting      
The Group has identified its operating segment based on the internal reports that are reviewed and used by the Group in 
assessing performance and in determining the allocation of resources.

In 2019, the Group continued to invest in an operator within the telecommunications industry.

The chief operating decision maker of the Group receives information to manage its operations and investment based on one 
operating segment, an investor in an operator of telecommunication services. As such, the Group believes it is appropriate that 
there is one operating segment, investment in telecommunication services.

Key financial information used by the chief operating decision maker of the Group when evaluating the investment in 
telecommunication services operating segment includes: 

HTAL’s share of the following items of VHA*

Total Revenue

Net loss*

*  after VHA Joint Venture accounting adjustments.

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

1,761,707

1,813,183

(159,144)

(4,982)

Further information reviewed by the chief operating decision maker with regards to the performance of the Group’s investment 
in VHA is disclosed in Note 7.

Note 20   Reconciliation of profit/(loss) after income tax to net cash inflows from operating activities

Profit/(loss) after income tax

2019
$’000

(154,870)

Share of losses of VHA Joint Venture partnership accounted for using equity method (see Note 7)

159,144

Change in operating assets and liabilities

Increase in other financial assets

  Decrease in payables

Net cash inflows from operating activities

Net debt reconciliation

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings 

Net debt

Net debt as at 1 January 2019

Cash flows

2018
$’000

4,475

4,982

127

130

9,714

234

187

4,695

108,057

18,598

(248,790)

(248,790)

(140,733)

(230,192)

Borrowings
due
within 1 year
$’000

Borrowings
due
after 1 year
$’000

Total
$’000

–

–

(248,790)

(230,192)

–

89,459

Cash
$’000

18,598

  89,459

Other loans (non-cash) from shareholder

–

(248,790)

248,790

–

Net debt as at 31 December 2019

108,057

(248,790)

–

(140,733)

40

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019 
Note 21  Earnings per share

(a) Basic earnings per share

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company

(b) Diluted earnings per share

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company

(c) Earnings used in calculating earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

CONSOLIDATED

2019
Cents

2018
Cents

(1.14)

0.03

(1.14)

0.03

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company used in calculating basic earnings per share

(154,870)

4,475

Diluted earnings per share

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the Company used in calculating diluted earnings per share

(154,870)

4,475

CONSOLIDATED

2019 
Number

2018 
Number

(d) Weighted average number of shares used as the denominator

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating basic 
earnings per share

13,572,508,577 13,572,508,577

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used as the 
denominator in calculating diluted earnings per share

13,572,508,577 13,572,508,577

There were no (2018: nil) options outstanding at 31 December 2019 that are anti-dilutive and accordingly there was no impact 
on the earnings per share calculation for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Note 22  Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The 
Group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential 
adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group. It is the Group’s policy not to enter into derivative transactions for 
speculative purposes. It is also the Group’s policy not to invest liquidity in financial products, including hedge funds or similar 
vehicles, with significant underlying leverage or derivative exposures.

Risk management is carried out by the management of HTAL under policies approved by the Board of Directors. Management 
identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group’s operating units. The Board provides 
written principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, 
use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity.

(a)  Market risk
For the presentation of market risks (including interest rate risk, exchange rate risk and market price risk), AASB 7 Financial 
Instruments: Disclosures requires disclosure of a sensitivity analysis for each type of market risk that show the effects of a 
hypothetical change in the relevant market risk variable to which the Group is exposed at the reporting date on profit or loss 
and total equity.

The effect that is disclosed in the following sections assumes that (a) a hypothetical change of the relevant risk variable 
had occurred at the reporting date and had been applied to the relevant risk variable in existence on that date; and (b) the 
sensitivity analysis for each type of market risk does not reflect inter-dependencies between risk variables.

The preparation and presentation of the sensitivity analysis on market risk is solely for compliance with AASB 7 disclosure 
requirements in respect of financial instruments. The sensitivity analysis measures changes in the fair value and/or cash 
flows of the Group’s financial instruments from hypothetical instantaneous changes in one risk variable (e.g. interest rate), 
the amount so generated from the sensitivity analysis are what-if forward-looking estimates. The sensitivity analyses are 
for illustration purposes only and it should be noted that in practice market rates rarely change in isolation. Actual results in 
the future may differ materially from the sensitivity analyses due to developments in the global markets which may cause 
fluctuations in market rates (e.g. interest rate) to vary and therefore it is important to note that the hypothetical amounts so 
generated do not represent a projection of likely future events and profits or losses.

41

 
 
Note 22  Financial risk management continued
(a)  Market risk continued
(i)  Interest rate risk

The Group’s main interest rate risk arises from cash balances and other financial assets. Management has assessed there is 
minimal material interest rate risk on both the other loans receivables from VHA and the loan from an entity within the CKHH 
Group. This is because a 1% change on the Australian market rate on the loans and receivables will result in an immaterial 
$1.8 million change in interest revenue based on 31 December 2019 balances. There is no interest rate risk in relation to the loan 
from an entity within the CKHH Group as it is an interest free financing facility.

(ii)  Foreign currency exchange risk

Management has assessed there is minimal foreign currency exchange risk as the Group does not carry any material balances 
in foreign currency. 

(iii)  Summarised sensitivity analysis

The following table summarises the sensitivity of the Group’s financial assets to interest rate risk.

31/12/2019

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivable

Total increase (decrease)

31/12/2018

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivable

Total increase (decrease)

INTEREST RATE RISK

-1%

+1%

Post-tax loss
 $’000

Other equity
$’000

Post-tax loss
$’000

Other equity
$’000

(1,081)

(762)

(1,843)

–

–

–

1,081

762

1,843

–

–

–

INTEREST RATE RISK

-1%

+1%

Post-tax loss
 $’000

Other equity
$’000

Post-tax loss
$’000

Other equity
$’000

(186)

(1,612)

(1,798)

–

–

–

186

1,612

1,798

–

–

–

Carrying
 amount 
$’000

108,057

76,193

184,250

Carrying
 amount 
$’000

18,598

161,199

179,797

(a)  Credit risk
Credit risk is managed on an entity basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, deposits with banks and financial 
institutions, as well as credit exposures to related parties. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties 
with a minimum rating of ‘A’ are accepted.

Credit risk further arises from loans and receivables from the VHA Joint Venture. The recoverability of the loan and receivable 
is supported by a letter of support from CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and Vodafone Group Plc.

(i)  Impairment of financial assets

All of the entity’s debt investment is measured at amortised cost and is considered to have low credit risk, and the loss allowance 
recognised during the period was therefore limited to 12 months’ expected losses. Debt investment is considered to be low credit 
risk as the debt investment is held solely by VHA which has never defaulted on any payments of principal and/or interest.

42

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019(b)  Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding 
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the support from related parties.

The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles 
of financial assets and liabilities. The Group maintains flexibility in funding by keeping committed credit lines available with a 
variety of counterparties. Surplus funds are generally only invested in instruments that are tradeable in highly liquid markets.

The table below analyses the Group’s financial assets and liabilities’ relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period 
at the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash 
flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances, as the impact of discounting is not significant. Other financial 
liabilities include an amount of $248.8 million relating to an interest free loan from a subsidiary in the CKHH group. CKHH has 
confirmed its current intention to provide sufficient financial support to enable the Parent entity to meet is financial obligations 
as and when they fall due. This undertaking is provided for a minimum of 12 months from signing these financial statements.

31/12/2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables

Payables

Other financial liabilities

Total ($’000)

31/12/2018

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables

Payables

Other financial liabilities

Total ($’000)

Weighted
average
interest rate

1.1%

3.4%

–

–

Less than
1 year
$’000

108,057

76,193

(558)

(248,790)

(65,098)

Between
1 and 2 years
$’000

Between
2 and 5 years
$’000

Over
5 years
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Weighted
average
interest rate

Less than
1 year
$’000

Between
1 and 2 years
$’000

Between
2 and 5 years
$’000

Over
5 years
$’000

1.1%

4.0%

–

–

18,598

434

(372)

(248,790)

–

160,765

–

–

(230,130)

160,765

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
$’000

108,057

76,193

(558)

(248,790)

(65,098)

Total
$’000

18,598

161,199

(372)

(248,790)

(69,365)

Note 23  Events occurring after the reporting date
Proposed merger between joint venture investment VHA and TPG Telecom Limited (“TPG Telecom”)
On 13 February 2020 the Federal Court ruled that the proposed merger between VHA and TPG Telecom would not 
substantially lessen competition and should be allowed to proceed. VHA, along with TPG Telecom, will work to complete 
the merger in mid-2020, subject to the remaining regulatory and shareholder approvals and any appeal by the Australia 
Competition and Consumer Commission. This announcement does not significantly impact the financial performance for 
the year ended and financial position of VHA and HTAL as at 31 December 2019.

The working capital facility with VHA and the credit agreement with an entity within the CKHH Group have been extended 
to February 2021 under similar terms and conditions in February 2020. HTAL also made a repayment of $84.8 million on the 
aforementioned credit agreement in February 2020.

There has been no other matter or circumstance that has arisen after the reporting date that has significantly affected or 
may significantly affect:

(i)   the operations of the Group in future financial years, or

(ii)   the results of those operations in future financial years, or

(iii)  the state of affairs of the Group in future financial years.

43

Note 24   Parent entity disclosures
(a) Summary financial information

Financial position

ASSETS

Current Assets

Non-current Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

Financial performance

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive Profit for the year

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

184,263

277,315

461,578

179,802

277,315

457,117

249,348

249,348

249,161

249,161

212,230

207,956

4,204,488

4,204,488

15,880

15,880

(4,008,138)

(4,012,412)

212,230

207,956

4,274

4,274

9,457

9,457

(b)  Commitments and Contingencies
There were no commitments contracted for by HTAL but not recognised as liabilities or payable at 31 December 2019 and 
31 December 2018.

The Directors of the Parent Entity are not aware of any other material contingent liabilities existing at the reporting date.

As at 31 December 2019, the Parent Entity has a deficiency of net current assets of $65.1 million (2018: deficiency of net current 
assets of $69.4 million). Included in the Parent Entity’s current liabilities is an amount of $248.8 million (2018: $248.8 million) 
which relates to an interest free financing facility provided from a subsidiary of the ultimate parent entity, CKHH, which is 
repayable on demand. The Parent Entity has unused financing facilities of $1,351.2 million at 31 December 2019. CKHH has 
confirmed its current intention to provide sufficient financial support to enable the Parent Entity to meet its financial obligations 
as and when they fall due. This undertaking is provided for a minimum period of twelve months from the date of signing these 
financial statements. Consequently, the Directors have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

(c)  HTAL’s investment in H3GAH

Investment in H3GAH

Investment at cost

Prior year Impairment recognised to date

Value of investment

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

3,664,655

3,664,655

3,387,340

3,387,340

277,315

277,315

44

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 31 December 2019Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Directors’ Declaration

In the Directors’ opinion:

(a)  the financial statements and notes set out on pages 18 to 44 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), 

including:

(i)  complying with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting 

requirements; and

(ii)  giving a true and fair view of the Consolidated Entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2019 and of its 

performance for the financial year ended on that date; and

(b)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited will be able to pay its 

debts as and when they become due and payable; and

(c)  at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Extended Closed Group 
identified in Note 18 will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, or may become, subject by virtue 
of the deed of cross guarantee described in Note 18.

Note 1(a) confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued 
by International Accounting Standards Board.

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Vodafone 
Hutchison Australia Pty Limited required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Director 
26 February 2020

Director 
26 February 2020 

45

Independent  
Auditor’s Report

46

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 201947

Independent  
Auditor’s Report
continued

pwc 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Estimate of useful life of network assets of VHA 
(Refer to note 2 (b)) 

Depreciation of network assets constitutes a substantial 
operating cost for the VHA joint venture. The assets are 
depreciated over their estimated useful lives ( using the 
straight-line method) and this is reflected in the "share 
of net losses of a joint venture accounted for using the 
equity method" in the Group's consolidated statement of 
profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 

Effective 1 January 2019, the Group re-assessed it's 
estimates of the useful life of its existing network assets 
from up to 20 years to between 3 and 18 years, which is 
consistent with the estimates adopted by VHA in line 
with industry developments. 

The HTAL Directors' estimate of the useful lives of 
network assets was a key audit matter as it required the 
Directors to make a collective assessment on the likely 
future use of the network assets and the potential impact 
of anticipated future technological changes on existing 
assets. The estimation is impacted by company-specific 
factors along with broader industry considerations. 

We performed the following audit procedures, amongst 
others: 

• We assessed the new estimates of useful lives of
between 3 to 18 years for the impacted network
assets at VHA including:

o

o

o

discussions with the VHA technology
strategy department,

obtaining an understanding of the impacts
of regulatory developments on network
assets as described in note 2(b) of the
financial statements.

considering the nature of the
telecommunications industry where there
are varying practices with regards to useful
lives adopted by operators. We compared
the estimate of useful lives against other
telecommunication operators in Australia
and overseas and noted that the Group's
estimate was within the range we observed
as commonly adopted in the industry.

• We tested the accuracy of the calculation for the

useful life adjustment by understanding
management's calculation methodology and testing
whether the logic was in accordance with Australian
Accounting Standards. We also recalculated the
depreciation for a sample of individual fixed assets.

• We enquired with management and the Directors of
HTAL about their assessment of the impact of
anticipated technology, industry or regulatory
developments on the assets and their useful lives.

• We evaluated the adequacy of disclosures made by
the Group in notes 2(b) of the financial report in
view of the requirements of Australian Accounting
Standards.

48

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 201949

Independent  
Auditor’s Report
continued

50

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019pwc 

Report on the remuneration report 

Our opinion on the remuneration report 

5 

Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

the Corporations Act 2001. 

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 12 to 1
ended 31 December 2019. 

of the directors' report for the year 

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited for the 
year ended 31 December 2019 complies with section 300A of the 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration 
report in accordance with section 300A of 
an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian 
Auditing Standards. 

Our responsibility is to express 

Rosalie Wilkie 
Partner 

Sydney 
26 February 2020 

51

Shareholder Information

The shareholder information set out below was applicable as at 26 February 2020. 

Substantial shareholders
Substantial shareholders in the Company (as disclosed to the ASX) are:

Shareholder

CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries#

Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited as trustee for The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust##

Vodafone Group Plc and subsidiaries*

Spark New Zealand Trading Limited and Spark New Zealand Limited 

Notes:

Shareholding

12,009,393,175

12,009,393,175

12,009,393,175

1,357,250,858

% Issued 
Capital

88.48 

88.48

88.48

10.00

#  Substantial shareholding includes relevant interest arising from an equitable mortgage of shares from Leanrose Pty Limited of approximately 0.62% of 

the issued capital of the Company.

##  Substantial shareholding arises solely because Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited as trustee for The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust is the registered 
holder of 26.02% of the shares in CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and therefore has a relevant interest in the same shares in the Company in which 
CK Hutchison Holdings Limited has a relevant interest. Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited as trustee for The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust or otherwise 
does not hold any shares in the Company. 

*  Substantial shareholding arises solely as a result of the relevant interests which Vodafone Group Plc and its subsidiaries have in shares in the Company 
in which CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries have a relevant interest. Vodafone Group Plc’s relevant interests arise under a Shareholders 
Agreement between Vodafone Group Plc, Hutchison Whampoa Limited (currently a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) and other parties in 
relation to Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited. The acquisitions of such relevant interests were approved by shareholders on 2 April 2009. None 
of Vodafone Group Plc or any of its subsidiaries holds any shares in the Company.

Distribution of equity securities 

Range

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 – and over

Total 

There were 3,076 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares.

Number of
Shareholders

% Issued
Capital

1,367

2,334

862

1,051

248

5,862

0.01

0.05

0.05

0.25

99.64

100.00

52

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019Twenty largest shareholders
The names of the 20 largest holders of quoted ordinary shares as at 26 February 2020 are as follows:

Shareholder

Hutchison Telecommunications (Amsterdam) B.V. 

Spark New Zealand Trading Limited 

Leanrose Pty Ltd 

Shareholding

11,925,479,378

1,357,250,858

83,913,797

Mr Dimitrios Piliouras & Mrs Konstantina Piliouras 

14,300,000

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

Mr Kenneth Kin Kau Heung & Mr Rene Conrad Heung 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited 

Mr Dimitrios Piliouras 

Arjee Pty Ltd 

Mr George Thomson 

Mr George Thomson 

Mr Hung Fong Chong

Mr Yi Wei Sun 

Mrs Yim Fong Leung

Mrs Yu Jie Zhi 

12,351,497

4,830,000

4,624,853

4,170,483

4,100,000

4,033,575

3,470,503

3,077,622

2,816,000

2,700,000

2,255,000

2,000,000

Mr Justin Herbert Gardener & Mrs Anne Louise Gardener 

1,957,358

Mr Bin Liu 

Mr Yet Kwong Chiang & Mrs Ho Yuk Lin Chiang 

Mr Ting Hua Kho

Voting rights
The voting rights attaching to each class of equity securities are:

1,880,000

1,870,965

1,700,000

% Issued 
Capital

87.87

10.00

0.62

0.11

0.09

0.04

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

Ordinary shares
On a show of hands, every member present, in person or by proxy, attorney or representative, has one vote.

On a poll every member has one vote for each share. 

On-market buy-back
There is currently no on-market buy-back.

Rank

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

53

Corporate Directory

Directors
Fok Kin Ning, Canning

Barry Roberts-Thomson

Susan Mo Fong Chow, also known as Woo Mo Fong, Susan 
(alias Chow Woo Mo Fong, Susan)

Justin Herbert Gardener

Lai Kai Ming, Dominic (also alternate to Fok Kin Ning, 
Canning and Frank John Sixt)

John Michael Scanlon

Frank John Sixt (also alternate to Lai Kai Ming, Dominic)

Ronald Joseph Spithill

Woo Chiu Man, Cliff

Company Secretaries
Edith Shih

Naomi Dolmatoff

Investor Relations
Tel: +61 2 9015 5088

Email: investors@hutchison.com.au

www.hutchison.com.au

Registered Office
Level 1, 177 Pacific Highway

North Sydney NSW 2060

Tel: +61 2 9015 5088

www.hutchison.com.au 

Share Registry
Link Market Services

Level 12, 680 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Tel: 1800 629 116 or +61 1800 629 116 (International)

www.linkmarketservices.com.au 

Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers

One International Towers Sydney

Watermans Quay

Barangaroo NSW 2000

Securities Exchange Listing 
HTAL shares are listed on the Australian Securities 
Exchange (ASX)

ASX Code: HTA

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting of HTAL will be held at:

177 Pacific Highway

North Sydney NSW 2060

Date: 7 May 2020

Time: 10.00 am

54

Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited Annual Report 2019www.hutchison.com.au

www.hutchison.com.au

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