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Southern Cross Media Group Ltd

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FY2018 Annual Report · Southern Cross Media Group Ltd
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86

AM, FM & 
Digital Radio 
Stations

7.6 Million National Reach

5 Million listeners 
nationally each week

46 FM & Digital Stations

3.8 Million listeners 
nationally each week

40 AM, FM & Digital 
Stations

1 Podcast 
Network

17

#1 Online 
Radio Group

#1 Radio Group 
on Social

17 Local Television 
News Services

5.3 million weekly 
TV viewers

$1 Billion

Capitalisation

2,500+

Staff

3

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportContents

Winning Aspiration

SCA Engages with Australia

Chairman’s Statement

CEO’s Report

The Leaders In Audio

The Hit Network

The Triple M Network

PodcastOne

Entertaining The Future

Television

6-7

8-9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16-17

18-19

20-21

22-23

Connecting Clients & Consumers

24-25

Culture, Leadership & Diversity

Making A Difference

The Board & Leadership Team

Financial Report

ASX Information

Corporate Directory

26-27

28-29

30-33

34-104

105

106

24.

14.

18.

20.

4

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
 
 
13.

8.

10.

16.

5

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportWinning 
Aspiration

Southern Cross Austereo is one of Australia’s largest and most 
diverse media entertainment businesses, with audio and visual 
content covering 95% of the country.

With prominent brands, exceptional 

content, an expansive social media 

presence, integrated digital assets 

“This aspiration drives all of its 
people, from high profile national 
and local celebrities through 
to SCA’s dedicated employees 
located throughout more than 
60 offices around Australia.”

and exciting 

live events, SCA 

inspires Australian 

communities to 

engage with them 

every day.

Through advanced 

metrics, insight-

driven strategy  

and an emphasis  

on innovation,  

SCA delivers exceptional outcomes  

for clients - connecting them  

with audiences in a unique  

and powerful way.

SCA has a Winning Aspiration to be 

the preferred entertainment company 

in its markets. This aspiration drives 

all of its people, from high profile 

national and local celebrities through 

to SCA’s dedicated employees located 

throughout more than 60 offices 

around Australia. 

6

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report7

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportSCA Engages 
with Australia:

Southern Cross Austereo engages with more than 7.6 million 
consumers across Australia each week through its expansive 
audio assets and 5.3 million through its television assets.

Under the Triple M and Hit networks, 

While each SCA station is unique, 

ventures, SCA also broadcasts Nine 

SCA hosts 86 radio stations. In early 

serving the needs and interests of 

Network programming in Tasmania 

2018, the company rebranded Sea FM 

its local market, all have access to 

and Ten programming in Darwin and 

Bundaberg to Triple M - bringing the 

the same exciting Hit and Triple 

Remote Central and Eastern Australia.

tally to 46 stations under the Hit brand 

M competitions and experiences - 

and 40 under the Triple M brand. 

promoting a sense of community 

This includes the Hit and Triple M 

around the networks and enhancing 

networks’ portfolios of four digital radio 

brand sentiment. 

In partnership with the Federal 

Government, a joint venture between 

SCA and Imparja Television operates 

the Viewer Access Satellite Television 

brands each. Digital radio is available 

in the five mainland metropolitan 

capital cities at present and will be 

extended to Hobart, Canberra and 

Darwin during 2019.

Measurement of regional radio 

(VAST) service - making free-to-air 

audiences continues to improve with 

television available to people living and 

SCA participating in 16 regional 

travelling in remote Australia and in 

market surveys in 2018. These surveys 

black-spot areas. 

show that regional radio audiences 

On top of this SCA broadcasts 92 free-

continue to be robust, with SCA’s 

to-air TV signals in regional Australia, 

stations often ranking first or second 

predominantly under the Nine 

(and sometimes both) in a high 

Network brand. 

proportion of its regional markets.

SCA broadcasts 15 local television 

news services across regional Victoria, 

southern New South Wales and 

regional Queensland. These services 

are produced by news journalists and 

SCA has the largest and most diverse 

talent line-up, with local talent in each 

market, and national shows featuring 

some of Australia’s biggest names. 

Each station places significant 

emphasis on everything local, ensuring 

communities have access to the 

information that matters most. SCA’s 

local breakfast radio teams provide 

listeners with the latest from their 

regions including more than 21,500 

hours each year of local news, sport 

and weather via 72 separate local 

news services.

“SCA has the largest and most 
diverse talent line-up, with 
local talent in each market, and 
national shows featuring some of 
Australia’s biggest names.”

production staff 

employed by Nine 

and hosted by SCA 

in each local market. 

Following a rebrand 

from Southern Cross 

Television to Seven 

Local in July 2018, 

SCA continues to 

produce local news 

Under the Nine Network brand, SCA 

broadcasts television in regional 

Queensland, regional Victoria, regional 

southern New South Wales, Broken 

Hill and Spencer Gulf. SCA broadcasts 

bulletins for its Tasmanian and Broken 

Hill/ Spencer Gulf broadcast areas and 

local news updates in the Darwin and 

Central broadcast areas. Each day, 

a committed team of journalists source 

stories that matter to the communities 

in these regions.

In 2018, SCA moved to a new national 

Seven programming in Tasmania, 

corporate structure aimed at unifying 

Darwin, Remote Central and Eastern 

its metropolitan and regional brands 

Australia, Broken Hill and Spencer 

and optimising performance and 

Gulf; and Ten programming in Broken 

growth into the future.

Hill and Spencer Gulf. Through joint 

8

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report9

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportChairman’s 
Statement

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to 
present Southern Cross Austereo’s Annual Report for 
the 2018 financial year.

The Company’s revenue of $653.0 

These results were below our internal 

million was 5.0% down on the prior 

targets. The factors that influenced 

year and EBITDA of $154.7 million 

this performance included a greater 

was 12.8% down on the prior year. 

than forecast decline of 3.4% in the 

Net profit after tax of $1.4 million 

three aggregated regional television 

was down 98.7% on the prior year. 

advertising markets and the weaker 

In addition to the impairment charge 

than expected performance of our 

described below, these comparisons 

metro radio business in the first three 

were affected by the Company’s 

quarters of the year. These factors were 

disposal during 2017 of its former 

mitigated to some extent by the strong 

northern NSW TV operations, a 

performance of our national sales 

deferred tax credit of $14.8 million 

teams in regional markets. Supported 

recognised in 2017 and reinstatement 

by ratings growth for Nine Network 

in 2018 of spectrum licensing fees. 

programming, our national television 

Reflecting the Company’s strong cash 

revenue share in the three aggregated 

generation, the Board maintained 

markets grew from 33.8% to 36.9%, 

dividends of 7.75 cents per share, in 

while our national regional radio 

line with the prior year.

revenue grew by a healthy 15.3%. The 

growth in national sales was driven by 

“Supported by ratings growth for 
Nine Network programming, our 
national television revenue share 
in the three aggregated markets 
grew from 33.8% to 36.9%, 
while our national regional radio 
revenue grew by a healthy 15.3%”

targeted initiatives 

taken to educate 

national advertisers 

about the economic 

and value-based 

advantages of 

investing in regional 

communities. 

Changes made to our metro radio 

shows at the start of 2018, including 

the launch of two new national Drive 

shows in Kennedy Molloy and Hughesy 

& Kate, as well as a broadening of 

Metro radio declined 

our Breakfast line-up on 2DayFM 

in the first half of 

have contributed to an improved 

the financial year 

performance in the survey results 

due predominantly 

recorded in 2018 for both the Hit and 

The Company recognised an 

to the underperformance of 2DayFM in 

Triple M networks. Coupled with the 

impairment charge of $104.7 million 

Sydney. We took several initiatives in 

increased audience delivered by our 

against the Company’s regional 

the second half of the year to address 

digital radio stations, this has enabled 

business unit, driven by independent 

this underperformance. We were also 

the Company to deliver a much 

forecasts of an ongoing decline in 

disappointed that Vevo made a global 

improved metro radio performance in 

regional television markets. These 

decision in February not to renew 

the second half, notably in the fourth 

forecasts support the Company’s 

contracts with international partners, 

quarter following the release of survey 

decision to reduce its exposure to 

including the Company. 

television by sale during 2017 of its 

former NNSW television business.

1 in March 2018. This is providing 

positive momentum into the new 

financial year. 

10

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportWith the Board’s support, management 

strategies to secure key talent, both 

his senior leadership team, for their 

has started a project to review the 

for the management roles of the future 

efforts during the year. I also thank my 

Company’s strategic workforce 

and the next generation of talent for 

fellow directors for their counsel and 

requirements. A significant change 

flagship radio shows and podcasts. 

contribution during the year. I look 

to integrate the metro and regional 

business units and re-align the 

Company along national functional 

lines was announced in June. This 

project will allow the business to 

have a consistent operating model 

across all our assets and will result 

in more effective communication and 

collaboration. Importantly, this project 

will ensure that the Company has the 

right resources to be the preferred 

entertainment company in our markets. 

After significant changes since 2015, 

the Board was stable throughout the 

year just ended. Leon Pasternak and I 

will be submitting for re-election at the 

AGM later this year. Leon has indicated 

forward to working with the Board and 

management team in the year ahead 

to achieve our aspiration to be the 

preferred entertainment company in 

our markets. 

that, if he is re-elected, this will be 

- Peter Bush 

his last term as a director. The Board 

Chairman

continues to value Leon’s knowledge 

and insights gained from his 13 years 

on the Board and will conduct an 

orderly process to identify a successor. 

This will include ongoing investment 

On behalf of the Board, I thank all of 

in our people, with a strong focus 

the Company’s 2500 employees and 

on culture and leadership and on 

contractors, led by Grant Blackley and 

11

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportCEO’s Report

Over the past three years, we have made substantial changes 

Canberra TV playout facility, is confirmation of new long-

to strategic, financial, operational and organisational 

term arrangements for playout of our 105 television signals. 

aspects of our business. These changes have been made 

We expect to announce our preferred option soon.

to embed and achieve our aspiration to be the preferred 

entertainment company in our markets, with a clear focus 

on optimising our extensive audio assets and expertise. To 

this end, we have built the leadership capabilities of our 

senior management teams; invested in our on-air radio 

and podcasting talent; extended our core Hit and Triple M 

brand families to our regional and digital radio stations; 

established PodcastOne as the leading commercial podcast 

network in Australia; negotiated long-term extensions of 

our AFL and NRL broadcast rights and successfully trialled 

broadcasting test cricket; seamlessly changed our principal 

regional television affiliation to the Nine Network; extended 

our affiliation with the Seven Network; and divested our 

Ten-affiliated northern New South Wales television licence 

along with a significant portfolio of transmission sites and 

other non-core property assets. Over the same period, we 

have reduced the Group’s net debt by $283.9 million (from 

$587.9 million to $304.0 million).

Effective 1 July 2018, we have implemented a new national 

operating model. Our core business functions of operations, 

content, sales, finance and corporate affairs, and technology, 

are now aligned nationwide. This will enable us to further 

improve and streamline processes, communication flows and 

decision making.

Significantly, under this new structure our Chief Technology 

Officer Stephen Haddad has joined the senior leadership 

team. This reflects the important role that technology will 

continue to play in executing our strategy. For example, 

over the past three years we have upgraded our traffic and 

booking systems (and integrated them with our financial 

reporting systems), installed new radio playout systems to 

enhance our ability to share content around our assets and 

to monetise that content, and rolled out video conferencing 

facilities to reduce travel requirements and improve the 

effectiveness of meetings and executive time management. 

In the new financial year we will go live with the Salesforce 

customer relationship management system – making it 

easier for our clients to deal with us and provide our teams 

with a single customer view across multiple assets. Another 

key project for our technology team, following the sale of our 

I wish to pay tribute to our former Head of Regional Media, 

Rick Lenarcic, who has left the business after 25 years. Rick 

played a key role in many of the initiatives that have given 

us a leading position in our regional markets (that we will 

continue to build on). He leaves with our best wishes.

With the aspiration of being an entertainment company that 

delivers market leading value-creating brands and to be 

the preferred entertainment company in our markets, our 

strategy has four pillars. We have work to do on all of these 

and I’m confident that the new national operating model will 

help to accelerate progress in the year ahead.

• 

Optimising our audio assets: The ongoing ratings 

underperformance of 2DayFM has adversely affected 

our aggregated metro ratings share and, as a result, 

our network revenue share and earnings. Continuing 

to rebuild our ratings position is a key goal for the new 

year. On the other hand, our new national Drive shows 

on Hit (Carrie & Tommy, followed by Hughesy & Kate) 

and Triple M (Kennedy Molloy) delivered strong ratings 

and financial outcomes around Australia. The success 

of Hughesy & Kate was particularly notable as they 

filled the gap left by Hamish & Andy. Other notable 

successes include the emergence of PodcastOne 

Australia as the leading commercial podcast network in 

Australia with over 54 million downloads since launch 

in August 2017 and growing commercial interest; 

establishment of our Hubble talent development 

unit; and roll-out of our Hit and Triple M digital radio 

brand families, enabling us to report and monetise an 

additional 300,000 or more listeners. 

• 

Improve the audio experience of our audience: Improved 

functionality in our apps led to 20% growth in Hit and 

Triple M memberships. Our audio products, including 

bespoke news updates, are available on new voice-

activated platforms (Google Home, Amazon Alexa and 

Sonos). Catering to the growing consumer demand for 

personalised on-demand audio products will be a point 

of focus for the year ahead.

12

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report• 

Efficiently monetise all available audience: Our national 

Supported by the volunteer spirit of our workforce, more 

advertising share in metro radio markets exceeded 

than 95% of that total was donated to charities. Our two-

our ratings share. There is an opportunity to build on 

year partnerships with OzHarvest, Black Dog Institute and 

this success by further educating advertisers about 

CanTeen came to a very successful end. We very much 

aggregation of our FM and digital audiences and by 

enjoyed helping those organisations to grow and develop 

continuing to enhance the sales focus of our research 

their charitable activities and, importantly, improve their 

team. The roll-out of Salesforce will streamline our 

operations through our strategic influence. We will shortly 

dealings with advertisers in major radio sales markets.

announce new charitable partners for the next two-year 

• 

Explore non-audio entertainment in growth markets: A 

cycle. 

management investment committee considered a range 

Southern Cross Austereo has a unique combination of 

of opportunities during the year, but few satisfied our 

assets: Australia’s largest radio network united under the 

criteria for investment. Over the past 18 months we 

Hit and Triple M brands, strong partnerships in regional 

have established a Digital Marketing Agency which 

Australia with Australia’s leading free-to-air television 

provides a range of services to small and medium-sized 

broadcasters, and a fast-growing premium podcasting 

businesses in regional Australia to help them improve 

network – all supported by highly engaged communities on 

and optimise their online marketing and presence. This 

our digital and social media channels. These assets provide 

has enhanced our client relations while also providing 

valuable scale and ease of dealing for our advertising 

a profitable revenue stream. Because of operational 

clients, in brand-safe environments for their products and 

challenges we recently ended our Quik Entertainment 

services. 

trial of premium audio visual news delivery in several 

of QIC’s shopping centres. Funded by provision of 

contra advertising, we have taken an investment in OVO 

Mobile – a start-up mobile operator that uses the Optus 

network. 

Most importantly, we have a team of talented people 

dedicated to delivering our strategy. I thank all of our people 

and the Board for their support during the year and confirm 

our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for our 

audiences, clients and shareholders.

I am proud that the Company’s annual Give Me Five for Kids 

campaign this year raised over $2.5 million for children’s 

hospitals and children’s wards in regional Australia. 

- Grant Blackley

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

13

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
The Leaders In Audio
The Hit Network

Hit aspires to be the leading entertainment 
companion for women in Australia.

With a vast social media presence of 

5.89 million Facebook fans, 649,200 

Twitter followers and 555,100 

Instagram followers, audiences are 

“Hit is focused on creating 
dynamic, authentic and unique 
content which generates a sense 
of community around shows and 
creates ongoing buzz.”

constantly connected 

with the Hit brand.

In 2017, the Hit 

network once again 

collaborated with 

Frontier Touring, 

selling out RNB 

Fridays Live events 

in Sydney, Brisbane, 

With a focus on hit music, old-school 

favourites and RNB Fridays, the Hit 

network entertains 5 million radio 

listeners every week across 46 stations, 

including four digital channels: Old 

Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne with 

over 90,000 attendees and more than 

6 million engaged across social media. 

RNB Vine Days then sold out inaugural 

winery shows right around Australia.

Skool Hits, Buddha Hits, Easy Hits and 

Hit is focused on creating dynamic, 

authentic and unique content which 

generates a sense of community around 

shows and creates ongoing buzz.

(most recently) Urban Hits. 

Targeted predominately at women, Hit 

is the leader among audiences under 

40 years of age and is home to popular 

personalities including Fifi Box, Kate 

Langbroek, Grant Denyer, Ed Kavalee, 

Abby Coleman, Dave Hughes, Brendan 

Fevola, Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, 

Constance Hall, Heidi Anderson and 

Ash London. 

14

PRESENCESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
15

PRESENCESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportThe Leaders In Audio
The Triple M Network

Triple M is about passion. Triple M is where Aussie men, 
exceptional talent and clients want to belong. 

Triple M is home to some of Australia’s 

biggest sporting heroes, comedians 

and music gurus including Eddie 

McGuire, Mick Molloy, Jane Kennedy, 

Matty Johns, Mark Geyer, Gus Worland, 

“The iconic brand entertains more 
than 3.9 million radio listeners 
each week...”

Wil Anderson, 

Robin Bailey, 

Lawrence Mooney, 

Ryan Girdler, Peter 

Sterling, The Chaser,  

Luke Darcy, James 

Brayshaw, Billy 

Triple M is Australia’s network for 

Brownless, Chris Judd, Gorden Tallis, 

rock, sport and comedy, entertaining a 

Greg Martin, Dennis Cometti, Mark 

predominately male audience in metro 

Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar, Andrew Jarman 

cities for close to 40 years. Triple M 

and Dale Lewis. 

includes a total of 40 stations around 

Australia, including four digital stations: 

Triple M Modern Rock, Triple M Classic 

Rock, Triple M Greatest Hits and 

Triple M Country.

With an emphasis on humour, local 

and national events, live performances, 

multi-dimensional sporting coverage 

and unique digital content (combined 

with increased consumption options), 

The iconic brand entertains more than 

Triple M gives audiences what they 

3.9 million radio listeners each week 

want, where they want it. 

and connects with 3.4 million fans 

via Facebook and 495,400 followers 

through Twitter. 

Triple M’s unique tone and identifiable 

market segment helps clients reach 

their target audience in an evocative 

and effective way.

16

LEADERS 
“Triple M’s unique tone and 
identifiable market segment helps 
clients reach their target audience 
in an evocative and effective way.”

17

LEADERSSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportThe Leaders In Audio
PodcastOne

Since commencing in July 2017, PodcastOne Australia 
has achieved more than 54 million downloads with 98% of 
downloads attributed to original domestic podcasts.

Using SCA’s other media assets to 

drive awareness and discovery of new 

podcasts across radio, TV, digital and 

social media, PodcastOne will continue 

to build on its leadership position 

“PodcastOne’s leading podcasters 
include Hamish & Andy, Mark 
Howard, Christian Hull, Rosie 
Waterland, Tiff Hall & Cass Dunn, 
Mark Bouris, Adam Shand, Janine 
Allis, Dr Nikki Goldstein, Mark 
Pesce and Gary Mehigan.”

as Australia’s only 

premium commercial 

podcast network.

A growing 

relationship with 

America’s leading 

commercial 

podcast network, 

PodcastOne US, 

has seen Australian 

podcasts adopted 

on the US network 

apps and website. 

With genres including comedy, true 

This collaboration has created new 

crime, sport, lifestyle, health and 

opportunities for Australian podcast 

business, PodcastOne’s leading 

creators who are now easily accessible 

podcasters include Hamish & Andy, 

to the world’s largest podcast market 

Mark Howard, Christian Hull, Rosie 

for both entertainment and commercial 

Waterland, Tiff Hall & Cass Dunn, Mark 

purposes. Likewise, PodcastOne 

Bouris, Adam Shand, Janine Allis, Dr 

Australia now hosts all 130 

Nikki Goldstein, Mark Pesce and Gary 

PodcastOne US podcasts for Australian 

Mehigan.

audiences across its platforms. 

PwC’s 2018 Future Outlook for Radio 

study forecast that the podcast market 

in Australia would grow from 3.5 

million listeners in 2017 to 8.9 million 

listeners in 2022. Moreover, PwC 

forecast that the revenue pool would 

grow from $5 million in 2017 to $100 

million in 2022. PodcastOne is well 

positioned to be at the forefront of that 

growth. 

18

FUTUREAUDIOSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportPodcasting is a deeply immersive and 

personal experience which attracts 

niche audiences. This presents a 

powerful opportunity for advertisers 

to integrate advertising messages 

in an authentic and meaningful 

“Podcasting is a deeply immersive 
and personal experience which 
attracts niche audiences. This 
presents a powerful opportunity 
for advertisers to integrate 
advertising messages in an 
authentic and meaningful way.”

way. Significantly, 

research by SCA 

conducted between 

November 2017 

and May 2018 

shows that 63% 

of podcasters took 

action as the result 

of the advertising or 

sponsorship heard 

with a podcast. 

The study also 

revealed that 93% 

of podcasts were listened to in their 

entirety (or close to their entirety). 

Whilst radio listening remains strong, 

the SCA study revealed that podcast 

listening is increasing throughout the 

day during key commute times and into 

the early evening. 53% of podcasters 

listen to podcasts in their car; while 

59% listen at home. 

Based on predicted market growth, 

SCA will invest further into PodcastOne 

with increased resources being 

allocated to sales infrastructure and 

content creation.

19

FUTURESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportEntertaining 
The Future

SCA is committed to innovation, and is actively 
exploring both audio and non-audio growth 
market opportunities.

The development of consumer 

wireless smart speaker devices 

presents an exciting opportunity for 

audio producers. SCA has embraced 

this opportunity, making live radio 

“The Hit and Triple M network apps 
grew by 55% over the past year, 
and now have over 250,000 users 
between them.”

streams, local news 

bulletins and catch-

up radio podcasts 

available across 

multiple smart 

speaker devices. 

SCA partnered with 

Sonos to directly 

SCA is providing its listeners with more 

integrate live and catch-up radio 

music and content than ever before 

content with Sonos devices. A first of 

across various devices. 

Hit network and Triple M network 

radio stations can now be streamed 

online via the individual Hit and 

its kind in Australia, the collaboration 

enables listeners to play Triple M and 

Hit network stations on Sonos devices 

throughout their homes. 

Triple M websites, the Hit and Triple M 

In addition, every week, SCA now 

network apps, or the industry preferred 

creates 180 minutes of local and 

RadioApp. The Hit and Triple M 

network apps grew by 55% over the 

national on-demand news updates 

for Google News and Alexa Flash 

past year, and now have over 250,000 

Briefings. These news updates are 

host-read in five metropolitan capital 

city markets and will be expanded to 

include several major regional markets 

in the year ahead. 

users between them. 

For those who cannot listen live,

radio content is available via

catch-up podcasts - with many of

SCA’s shows regularly featuring in the 

top 10 trending podcasts. Over the 

past 12 months, SCA’s catch-up

audio increased by 69% taking it to 

24.5 million downloads. 

20

ENTERTAININGIn 2018, SCA launched Hubble – an 

industry-first talent development 

initiative aimed at discovering, 

documenting, developing and 

deploying talent across its networks. 

Triple M Modern Digital now hosts 

SCA’s talent development shows, 

providing listeners with a variety of 

entertaining show content between 

“In 2018, SCA launched 
Hubble – an industry first talent 
development initiative aimed 
at discovering, documenting, 
developing and deploying talent 
across its networks.”

12 noon and 2pm 

weekdays.

Seven months into 

the venture, Hubble 

is already yielding 

results - with several 

placements across 

SCA’s regional 

breakfast programs 

and one show (Luke 

& Lewis) regularly on Melbourne’s Fox 

FM in a late-night slot.

21

ENTERTAININGSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportTelevision

SCA has affiliation arrangements with the three 
metropolitan commercial networks, broadcasting their 
programming into all Australian States and mainland 
Territories other than Western Australia.

Through its partnership with Nine, SCA 

continues to invest in local news with 

journalists located at SCA’s regional 

premises throughout Queensland, New 

“SCA’s principal affiliation with 
the Nine Network continues 
to deliver, with Nine securing 
exclusive rights to all premium 
tennis played in Australia 
including the Australian Open.”

South Wales, Victoria 

and the Australian 

Capital Territory.

Renewing a long-

standing affiliation 

with the Seven 

Network in 2018, 

SCA’s Tasmania, 

Darwin, Spencer 

Gulf, Broken Hill 

and Central Australia 

SCA’s principal affiliation with the 

stations will broadcast programs such 

Nine Network continues to deliver, 

as My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, 

with Nine securing exclusive rights to 

Home & Away, Andrew Denton’s 

all premium tennis played in Australia 

‘Interview’ and, from October 2018, 

including the Australian Open. 

cricket.

Commencing from January 2019, this 

historic six-year deal complements 

an already impressive list of premium 

sport events including the NRL, State 

of Origin and Australian Netball. 

These premium sports are in addition 

to Nine’s slate of leading programs 

including Sixty Minutes, The Block, 

Ninja Warrior and Doctor Doctor.

Seven’s six-year agreement with Cricket 

Australia includes coverage of all home 

International tests including the 2021-

22 home Ashes series, key Big Bash 

League and Women’s Big Bash League 

matches, Women’s International 

matches, the Allan Border Medal and 

the Belinda Clark Award.

22

TELEVISIONSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual Report23

BRSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportConnecting Clients 
& Consumers

SCA’s aggregated audiences across radio, television, online and 
social platforms provide clients with large scale and diverse 
reach - simply identifiable by premium national brands.

Through SCA’s powerful on-demand 

platform PodcastOne, clients can 

hone in on market segments further… 

“With a strong research and 
analytics team, SCA has a 
comprehensive understanding of 
its audiences and uses this to 
help clients develop data-driven 
strategies to facilitate rewarding 
interactions.”

targeting their 

messaging in line 

with key interest 

areas such as 

health, sport, 

business and 

more.

With a strong 

research and 

analytics team, 

SCA has a 

comprehensive 

understanding 

In 2018, SCA simplified and 

of its audiences and uses this to help 

strengthened its commercial 

clients develop data-driven strategies 

offering by combining access to its 

to facilitate rewarding interactions. 

FM and digital portfolio, enabling 

SCA’s insights and diversity of brand 

clients to target like-minded but 

assets enable clients to construct and 

nuanced audiences. 

magnify their campaigns in the most 

powerful ways. 

24

CONNECTINGSouthern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
SCA’s Digital Marketing Agency 

provides a range of services to small 

and medium-sized businesses in 

regional Australia to help them 

improve and optimise their online 

“SCA’s insights and diversity of 
brand assets enable clients 
to construct and magnify their 
campaigns in the most powerful 
ways.”

marketing and 

presence as part 

of their overall 

marketing strategies. 

The importance 

of these insights 

and working 

relationships with 

clients is reflected in 

a notable increase in 

regional spend by national advertisers, 

indicating shifting perceptions and an 

increased awareness of the significant 

role that regional markets play in 

amplifying brands.

25

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportCulture, Leadership 
& Diversity 

SCA’s People

SCA’s culture, shaped by its talented 

In addition, a range of social events 

and creative people, underpins its 

and informal gatherings help

competitive advantage. Its values of 

cultivate Company culture and build 

Courage, Initiative, Creativity, Integrity 

staff morale. 

and Collaboration guide key decision 

making and day-to-day operations. 

SCA’s leadership team includes some 

of the most experienced and adept 

“SCA’s leadership team includes 
some of the most experienced and 
adept individuals in the media 
industry. This group develops and 
implements corporate strategy, 
while providing ongoing support to 
their teams.”

individuals in the 

media industry. 

This group develops 

and implements 

corporate strategy, 

while providing 

ongoing support 

to their corporate 

teams. A bi-

annual employee 

engagement and 

culture survey 

gives SCA valuable 

insights into staff 

SCA believes a collaborative work 

perspectives and informs change 

culture helps create a successful 

initiatives and success strategies.

business that attracts, develops 

and retains the best talent. Through 

ongoing professional development, 

internal promotions, robust

leadership structures and regular team 

building activities, SCA fosters an 

environment where people feel valued, 

supported and inspired to reach their 

full potential.

With over 2,500 employees located 

throughout Australia, SCA recognises 

that communication is paramount 

and keeps staff informed through 

regular emails, Q&A podcasts, video 

presentations and face-to-face 

briefings.

26

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
Diversity and Inclusion

SCA welcomes people of all ages, 

races, genders and sexual

orientations; and entrenches equal 

opportunity within its policies, 

practices, recruitment strategies and 

succession plans. 

SCA keeps diversity at the core of 

hiring and retention - understanding 

that it leads to greater creativity, 

better decision-making and a more 

dynamic business overall. A recent 

“The company offers scholarships 
to women in leadership to support 
and accelerate their career 
development, and has established 
a job rating system to identify 
and address differences in the 
earnings of male and female 
employees within the business.”

diversity and 

inclusion survey 

encouraged staff 

to share feedback 

for ongoing-

improvement. 

The Company offers 

scholarships to 

women in leadership 

to support and 

accelerate their 

career development; 

and has established 

a job rating system 

to identify and address differences 

in the earnings of male and female 

employees within the business.

27

CULTURESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportMaking A 
Difference

SCA is committed to making a difference in the 
communities in which it operates, and beyond.

GM5FK

Give Me 5 for Kids is SCA’s national 

fundraiser which has been supporting 

and raising funds for local children’s 

“Give Me 5 for Kids is SCA’s 
national fundraiser which has 
been supporting and raising 
funds for local children’s health 
charities across regional Australia 
for more than 20 years.”

health charities 

across regional 

Australia for more 

than 20 years. 

Beginning in the 

1990s as a simple 

coin drive from the 

New South Wales 

Central Coast region, 

this annual charity 

drive has since 

raised $22.3 million nationally, and 

benefited more than 40 paediatric 

wards of local hospitals and children’s 

health-related charities.

In June each year, SCA’s local radio 

and television networks get behind 

the cause by holding local fundraising 

events. Many local businesses, clubs 

and individuals stage their own 

fundraising activities under the Give 

Me 5 for Kids banner, adding to the 

funds raised and helping to build 

stronger communities.

SCA bears all the administrative costs 

of the annual appeal and, thanks to 

the volunteer spirit of its workforce, 

over 95% of funds raised are donated 

to charity.

SCA Embrace:

SCA Embrace is a two-year 

partnership between SCA and 

selected charitable organisations. 

The program facilitates the equitable 

allocation of the Company’s powerful 

resources to ensure its impact can be 

felt far and wide. 

Since the initiative’s inception in 

2016, SCA has provided more than 

$12 million dollars of value in air 

time plus event support, access 

to talent, interviews, social media 

assistance, concert tickets, data 

insights and more. 

For the past two years, SCA has 

worked with three different charities: 

OzHarvest, BlackDog Institute and 

CanTeen. The support provided has 

enabled these organisations to raise 

much needed funds and awareness 

- significantly improving the lives of 

those who need their support most.

28

“The annual 
Give Me 5 for 
Kids Appeal 
has enabled 
the District to 
enhance medical 
equipment and 
the therapeutic 
items across 
a broad range 
of paediatric 
services with over 
$2 million has 
been donated 
since Give Me 5 
commenced.”

- Jan Richens, 
Manager 
Fundraising and 
Donations, NSW 
Central Coast 
Local Health 
District

“SCA’s 
partnership has 
allowed Black 
Dog Institute 
to reach people 
nation-wide and 
share strong, 
evidence-based 
mental health 
messages. 
This extremely 
generous support 
has set us up 
for success 
in our pursuit 
of creating 
a mentally 
healthier world.”

- Scientia 
Professor Helen 
Christensen, 
Director and 
Chief Scientist, 
Black Dog 
Institute

DIFFERENCESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
 
Habitat for Humanity:

SCA partners with Habitat for 

Humanity to offer four employees 

“SCA partners with Habitat for 
Humanity to offer four employees 
the opportunity to participate in 
Rock the House.”

the opportunity to 

participate in Rock 

the House. 

Rock the House 

is a project where 

teams of people 

work together to 

construct housing for 

disadvantaged people in impoverished 

communities. After SCA’s successful 

involvement in Rock the House 

Yogyakarta, Indonesia last year, the 

project will this year be held in Siem 

Reap, Cambodia.

“Rock the 
House was a 
life changing 
experience. In 
small teams with 
people from all 
over Australia 
I felt like we 
helped make a 
significant and 
direct impact to 
the lives of our 
host families. It 
was incredible 
getting to know 
the family and 
their history.”

– Rhys Anderson, 
Commercial 
Content 
Producer.

“It has been 
truly wonderful 
to see the 
SCA Embrace 
partnership 
unfold and a 
greater number 
of young people 
turning to us for 
help as a direct 
result.

On behalf of 
everyone at 
CanTeen and the 
young people we 
support, I’d like 
to say a huge 
thank you to all 
the awesome 
staff at Southern 
Cross Austereo.”

- Peter Orchard, 
CEO of CanTeen.

29

DIFFERENCESouthern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
The Board & 
Leadership Team

PETER BUSH
Chairman

Peter Bush had a distinguished career in executive roles spanning the media, FMCG, advertising 

and consumer products sectors. He also brings considerable and highly respected public company 

directorship experience to Southern Cross Media Group.

Peter is currently Chairman of Inghams Group Limited. He has previously served on the boards of 

Mantra Group Ltd, Pacific Brands Ltd, Nine Entertainment Holdings, Insurance Australia Group, 

Miranda Wines, McDonald’s Australia Limited and Lion Nathan.

Appointed: 25 February 2015.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 29 October 2015.

Board Committees: Chairman, Nomination Committee.

LEON PASTERNAK
Deputy Chairman

Until February 2014, Leon held the positions of Vice Chairman and Managing Director with Merrill 

Lynch Markets (Australia) Pty Limited (a subsidiary of Bank of America) with responsibility for the 

financial institutions group and mergers and acquisitions.

Until July 2010, Leon Pasternak was a senior corporate partner at Freehills (now Herbert Smith 

Freehills) specialising in mergers and acquisitions, public finance and corporate reorganisations.

Appointed: 26 September 2005.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016.

MELANIE WILLIS
Director

Melanie has extensive experience in corporate finance, strategy and innovation and investments 

both in executive and non-executive roles in a number of sectors including accounting and 

finance, infrastructure, property investment management and retail services (including tourism 

and start-up ventures). 

She has held non-executive director roles on the boards of tourism and leisure operator Mantra 

Group, specialist lender Pepper Group and Ardent Leisure.

She was CEO of NRMA Investments (and head of strategy and innovation) and CEO of a financial 

services start-up and director of Deutsche Bank, having previously been in corporate finance at 

Bankers Trust and Westpac. Melanie is currently also a non-executive director of fund manager 

Challenger Limited.

Appointed: 26 May 2016.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016.

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee (Chair), People & Culture Committee.

30

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportROBERT MURRAY
Director

Robert Murray has had a distinguished career in sales, marketing and general management having 

served most recently as the CEO of Lion (formerly Lion Nathan), one of Australasia’s leading food 

and beverage companies, including during its acquisition by Kirin Holdings in 2009.

Before joining Lion Nathan in 2004, Rob worked for Procter & Gamble for 12 years; and then 

served for eight years with Nestlé, firstly as MD of the UK Food business, and from 2000 to 2004 

as CEO of Nestlé Oceania. Rob is a board member of the Bestest Foundation and is Chairman of 

Metcash Ltd.

Appointed: 1 September 2014.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 24 October 2017.

Board Committees: People & Culture Committee, Nomination Committee.

HELEN NASH
Director

Helen Nash has more than 20 years’ experience in brands and marketing, including seven years in 

FMCG at Procter & Gamble, followed by three years in publishing at IPC Media. Helen held a variety 

of senior executive roles at McDonald’s Australia Limited over a period of nearly 10 years, including 

the position of Chief Operating Officer overseeing restaurant operations, marketing, menu, insights 

and research and information technology.

Helen is also a non-executive director of Blackmores Ltd, Metcash Ltd and Inghams Group Limited. 

She was formerly a non-executive director of Pacific Brands Ltd.

Appointed: 23 April 2015.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 24 October 2017.

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee, People & Culture Committee (Chair), Nomination Committee.

GLEN BOREHAM AM
Director

Glen Boreham AM had a distinguished career at IBM culminating in the role of Chief Executive 

Officer and Managing Director, IBM Australia and New Zealand from 2006 to 2010. Glen was 

the inaugural Chair of Screen Australia from 2008 to 2014, and also chaired the Australian 

Government’s Convergence Review of the media industry.

He is a non-executive director of Cochlear Limited and Link Group Limited; and Chair of the 

Advisory Board at IXUP Limited. Glen was previously Chair of the Industry Advisory Board at the 

University of Technology Sydney, and Chair of Advance (representing the one million Australians 

living overseas).

Appointed: 1 September 2014.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016.

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee, People & Culture Committee.

31

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportThe Board & 
Leadership Team

GRANT BLACKLEY
CEO and Managing Director

Grant Blackley has enjoyed a distinguished career with more than 30 years’ experience in the media 

and entertainment sectors. Grant joined the Board in June 2015 as Chief Executive Officer and 

Managing Director and is responsible for leading the strategic and operational performance of the 

Company. Grant is a Director of Commercial Radio Australia and Free TV Australia. He has served in 

numerous senior leadership roles including at the TEN Network, as CEO from 2005 to 2010. Prior 

to becoming CEO, Grant held key roles in network sales, digital media and multi-channel program 

development as well as being responsible for Group strategy, acquisitions and executive leadership 

and development.

Appointed: 29 June 2015.

Most recently elected by shareholders: 29 October 2015.

NICK MCKECHNIE
Chief Financial Officer

Nick McKechnie is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience. Nick was the CFO of 

ConnectEast from 2009 to 2014 and Group Financial Controller from 2007 to 2009. Prior to this 

role Nick held a variety of senior finance roles at Virgin Media in the UK. He commenced his career 

with Arthur Andersen.

As CFO of SCA, Nick is responsible for the financial stewardship of the Company, including the 

allocation of capital and resources and the management of returns to shareholders. Financial 

objectives include optimising the cost of capital through use of an appropriate balance of equity 

and debt capital and through seeking to invest capital in projects that result in returns above 

the Company’s existing Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). Nick is responsible for managing 

relationships and communication with providers of equity and debt capital and for ensuring that a 

strong and effective governance framework exists.

Appointed: September 2014.

GUY DOBSON
Chief Creative Officer

Guy Dobson is responsible for overseeing and road-mapping the strategic and creative direction of 

all areas of Content – FM, Digital Radio and all Digital media.

Prior to this appointment, Guy was head of Metro Operations for three years and CEO of Austereo 

Pty Ltd for two years before that. Guy has also been Managing Director of Australia’s largest radio 

consultancy ESP. He has held several senior programming roles both in Australia and overseas.

Appointed: June 2015.

32

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportBRIAN GALLAGHER
Chief Sales Officer

Brian Gallagher is a media executive with strong commercial and broadcast experience across the 

metro and regional media markets gathered over 30 years. Brian has worked in radio, free-to-air TV, 

pay TV, content marketing and program production. Brian has worked with The Nine Network and 

the Ten Network. He was CEO of Ignite Media Brands prior to joining SCA as Chief Sales Officer.

Brian is responsible for the development and implementation of an overall sales strategy for the 

Company, including driving the entire sales operation across SCA’s full suite of media channels

and brands.

Appointed: July 2015.

JOHN KELLY
Chief Operating Officer

John Kelly is an experienced executive who has previously held senior executive roles in large 

Australian sporting and media organisations. John was COO at Football Federation Australia from 

2013 to 2015 where his role encompassed strategy and media rights. Prior to that role John spent 

over 16 years in various executive and director roles at Ten Network Holdings Limited, including 

more than eight years as Group CFO. John has a background as a Chartered Accountant and 

commenced his career at KPMG where he progressed to the role of manager.

As Chief Operating Officer, John is responsible for leading the Operations function of the business 

to ensure alignment and delivery of the corporate strategy. This includes overseeing SCA’s General 

Management Teams, People and Culture, Strategy and Podcasting as well as facilitating the 

Company’s external key broadcasting agreements and key partnerships.

Appointed: February 2016.

STEPHEN HADDAD
Chief Technology Officer

Stephen Haddad is an experienced CIO/CTO and Business Transformation Executive who has 

demonstrated his ability to drive strategic business growth over 20 years in Australia’s Media, 

Finance and Consulting organisations. Prior to this role, Stephen held CIO roles at Bauer Media and 

FujiFilm; and senior roles within banking and telecommunications.

Stephen is responsible for all technology domains across SCA, including Business Systems, 

Corporate Networks and Infrastructure, Digital Design and Development, Audio Engineering 

Technology and Operations and Television Broadcast Engineering and Operations. Stephen also has 

management responsibility for the Project Management Office and Procurement functions.

Appointed: June 2018.

TONY HUDSON
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Tony Hudson has over 20 years’ experience in senior legal and governance roles. Tony was General 

Counsel and Company Secretary at ConnectEast from 2005 until 2015. Before that, Tony was a 

partner of Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst Australia), working in the firm’s Melbourne office 

and from 1993 until 2000 in its Jakarta associated office. 

Tony Hudson manages the group’s national legal and corporate affairs teams, including 

responsibility for regulatory affairs and board governance.

Appointed: September 2015.

33

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportFinancial
Report

2018

34

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report35

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportCONTENTS

Corporate Governance Statement 

Directors’ Report  

Review and Results of Operations 
Distributions and Dividends 
Significant Changes in State of Affairs 
Events Occurring After Balance Date 
Likely Developments and Expected Results of Operations 
Indemnification and Insurance of Officers and Auditors 
Non-Audit Services 
Environmental Regulation 
Information on Directors 
Information on Company Secretary 
Meetings of Directors 

Remuneration Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Key Numbers 
Capital Management 
Group Structure 
Other   

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Additional Stock Exchange Information 

Corporate Directory 

37 

37

37
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
41
42
42

43

61

62

63

64

65

66

67
79
87
89

97

98

105

106

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors  
on 23 August 2018. The Directors have the power to amend and  
re-issue the financial statements. 

36

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Corporate Governance Statement
The statement outlining Southern Cross Media Group Limited’s  
corporate governance framework and practices in the form of a  
report against the Australian Stock Exchange Corporate Governance  
Principles and Recommendations, 3rd Edition, will be available on the  
Southern Cross Austereo website, www.southerncrossaustereo.com.au,  
under the investor relations tab in accordance with listing rule 4.10.3  
when the 2018 Annual Report is lodged. The 2018 Corporate  
Governance Statement is available in the 2018 Annual Report 
on the website.

Directors’ Report
The Directors of Southern Cross Media Group Limited (“the Company”)  
submit the following report for Southern Cross Austereo, being  
Southern Cross Media Group Limited and its subsidiaries (“the Group”)  
for the year ended 30 June 2018. In order to comply with the  
provisions of the Corporations Act 2001, the Directors report as follows:

Directors
The following persons were Directors of the Company during the 
whole of the year, unless otherwise stated, and up to the date 
of this report:
 – Peter Bush (Chairman)
 – Leon Pasternak (Deputy Chairman)
 – Grant Blackley
 – Glen Boreham
 – Rob Murray
 – Helen Nash
 – Melanie Willis

Principal Activities
The principal activities of the Group during the course of the financial 
year were the creation and broadcasting of content on free-to-air 
commercial radio (AM, FM and digital), TV and online media 
platforms across Australia. These media assets are monetised via 
revenue generated from the development and sale of advertising 
solutions for clients.

There were no changes in the nature of the Group during the year.

Review and Results of Operations

Operational Review
Group Results
The Group reported revenues of $653.0 million, down 5.0% on the 
prior year revenues of $687.2 million, and Earnings before Interest, 
Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) of $154.7 million, 
down 12.8% on prior year EBITDA of $177.4 million. Net Profit 
after Tax (“NPAT”) of $1.4 million is down 98.7% on prior year 
NPAT of $108.6 million. Current year results included impairment 
charges against intangible assets and investments of $104.7 million; 
excluding this significant item, NPAT of $75.3 million is down 30.7% 
on the prior year NPAT of $108.6 million. The 2018 results have been 
impacted by the loss of earnings from the Northern New South Wales 
(“NNSW”) Television business that was sold in May 2017 as well as 
the reinstatement of spectrum licensing fees. The NNSW television 
licence was sold so SCA could align with selling Nine Network 
content across the east coast. The 2017 NPAT of $108.6 million 
was inclusive of a $14.8 million deferred tax credit following the 
disposal of the Northern New South Wales television business.

Net debt has reduced by a further 5.3% to $304.0 million and net 
finance costs of $14.8 million are down 21.2% on the prior year.

Significant Items
In 2018, the Group recognised impairment charges against intangible 
assets and investments of $104.7 million, which related to an 
impairment in the carrying value of television licences in the 
Regional Free-To-Air Broadcasting (“Regional”) Cash Generating Unit 
(“CGU”). There was also a related derecognition of a deferred tax 
liability in respect of certain brands and licences for $30.8 million. 
Refer to notes 6, 8, 9 and 11 for further information. In respect of 
the Regional CGU, television markets continue to decline, with a 
three-year compound annual growth rate of (4.5)%. Independent 
estimates of television industry growth rates over the forecast period 
show further significant declines which has led to the $104.7 million 
impairment in intangible assets and investments.

Segment Profit and Loss

Regional
Metro
Corporate
Total Revenue

EBITDA
Regional
Metro
Corporate
Total EBITDA

Group NPAT
Group NPAT (excluding 
significant items)

2018
$’m
392.3
242.7
18.0
653.0

114.6
57.7
(17.6)
154.7

1.4

75.3

2017 
$’m
417.9
247.1
22.2
687.2

125.8
60.1
(8.5)
177.4

Variance
(6.1%)
(1.8%)
(18.9%)
(5.0%)

(8.9%)
(4.0%)
(107.1%)
(12.8%)

108.6

(98.7%)

108.6

(30.7%)

37

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportReview and Results of Operations (continued)

Regional
The Regional business consists of a number of regional radio and 
regional television licences. Each regional television licence receives 
programming from a metropolitan television network affiliate and 
2018 was the second year the Group received the majority of its 
programming from Channel Nine. Throughout 2018, the Group also 
extended its program supply agreement with Channel Seven for the 
Tasmania and Central Australian licence areas. The combination of 
two premium programming agreements gives SCA a strong audience 
share across its TV licence areas and the improved monetisation 
of this audience has driven Television revenues up 3.6% on a like 
for like basis.

Regional radio continues to be a strong performer for the Group with 
advertising revenues of $172.9 million, up 4.5% on 2017. Revenue 
from national agency clients was up 15.3%. This growth has been 
driven by the Group’s stated objective of increasing the profile of 
Regional Radio by conducting audience surveys in many regional 
markets and working with key agency clients to help them better 
understand the benefits of Regional Radio advertising. Local revenues 
have remained flat, partly as a result of national advertising taking 
an increasing share of the available inventory.

Metro
The Metro business consists of two complementary radio brands 
operating in the Australian capital cities along with the digital assets 
associated with these two brands. The brands target different 
audience demographics with the Triple M network skewed towards 
males in the 25 to 54 age bracket and the Hit Network targeted 
towards females in the 18 to 49 age bracket.

Overall, the metropolitan free-to-air radio advertising market has 
performed relatively well throughout 2018, increasing 3.8% on the 
2017 financial year. A challenging start to the year resulted in our 
overall share of this market declining 1.2 points, however it was 
pleasing to see share improvement in the second half of the year. 
An improving ratings position and the monetisation of our Digital 
radio stations resulted in an improved second half performance with 
revenues up 2.0% on the corresponding prior period.

Metro EBITDA is back 4.0% on the prior year, however the 2017 
result was positively impacted by the temporary abolition of licence 
fees. Excluding the impact of this, our 2018 EBITDA is back 1% 
and this result includes an increased investment in PodcastOne.

Corporate
The Corporate business comprises the Group-wide centralised 
functions of the Group, as well as the results of the Canberra FM 
radio business in which the Group has a 50% shareholding. The 
2017 results were impacted by around $5.0 million of non-recurring 
credits, including the favourable resolution of the copyright dispute.

Financial Position
The financial position of the Group continues to improve with net 
debt reducing 5.3% on 2017 to finish the year at $304.0 million. 
The Group’s key debt measures continue to improve with a leverage 
ratio of 1.79 times, down from 1.81 times in June 2017, and interest 
cover improving to 12.03 times, up from 10.0 times in June 2017.

Strategic Update
During the 2018 financial year the Group has executed on a number 
of elements that support the achievement of the Group’s  
medium-term strategic objectives of:

1.  Optimising key audio assets;

2.  Ensuring an improved audio experience for our audience;

3.  Monetising all available audience efficiently with clients; and 

4.  Exploring non-audio entertainment in growth markets.

We have continued to improve our radio content offering with the 
launch of new Drive shows across both the Hit and Triple M networks 
and an improved breakfast show on 2DayFM. This improved content 
line-up has led to a network-wide improvement in ratings with SCA 
metro radio audience a clear market leader at 5.1 million people.

The aggregation of our Digital radio stations into both the Hit and 
Triple M networks has grown our metro radio audience by 7.2% 
and enabled us to commercialise these stations with advertising for 
the first time since their inception. A combination of improvement 
in ratings and monetisation of our Digital radio stations has driven 
second half Metro radio revenues up 2%.

Advancements within digital audio are improving the experience for 
audiences with our suite of digital assets now offering personalised 
notifications, catch-up audio services and integration with key smart 
speaker platforms.

We have continued to focus on improving the monetisation of all 
inventory, particularly Regional Radio where we believe National 
advertising dollars have been under represented. This focus has 
been rewarded with National regional radio revenues up 15.3% 
and National TV revenues up 3.8%.

2018 Outlook
We expect to build on the growth seen in the second half of 2018 
into the new financial year based on the improved Metro ratings 
performance, monetisation of digital radio and increasing demand 
for Regional Radio. Further deployment of technology will drive 
increased efficiencies within back office functions allowing us to 
control non-revenue related costs.

38

DIRECTORS’ REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportMaterial Risks
Business and operational risks that could affect the achievement of the Group’s financial prospects include the following risks:

Risk
Decrease in the size of 
the free-to-air (“FTA”) 
television market at a 
faster rate than forecast

Mitigation Strategies
The Group has seen a decline in the television market of 3.4% year on year. Although FTA television continues 
to deliver mass audiences and hence has a key place in media buying strategies, television markets remain 
challenging due to consistent audience declines. Given continuing declines and independent estimates of television 
industry growth rates showing further significant declines over the forecast period have led to an impairment loss 
of $102.9 million in the year ended 30 June 2018. For further information, refer note 9.

The Group’s five-year affiliation agreement with Nine commenced on 1 July 2016 in Southern NSW, Regional 
Victoria and Queensland. Nine programming has traditionally delivered a significantly higher audience than Ten 
across these territories. Following a revenue uplift in the year of transition, revenue in these markets increased 
by a further 5.7% in 2018 despite the decline in the television market as a whole, with the Group’s market share 
reaching 36.9%.

Part of this success is attributable to the Group’s sales teams’ Regional Development Program to drive incremental 
marketing in regional markets where there is an underinvestment in media spend on a per capita basis.

The Group is a diversified business covering television, radio and online, which provides a degree of protection 
against individual market weaknesses. As a television affiliate the Group pays a percentage of revenue to the 
broadcast partners meaning television has a higher variable cost structure than our radio or online businesses, 
which reduces the profit impact of any potential decline in revenue.
Finding and retaining good on-air talent is a key to retaining and growing audience share, and the Group is 
committed to developing talent across its national network of radio stations.

The Group maintains a risk-based (opportunity) approach to unearthing and developing new talent and has 
implemented “Hubble”, a formal tool that assists to Discover, Document, Develop and Deploy talent at each stage 
of their career. The nature of the Group’s regional and metro radio assets provides an opportunity for developing 
talent to be moved from smaller to larger markets over time.

Contracts are used to lock talent in for certain periods of time. The development of successful off-air teams that 
help create high quality programming is also important in developing the loyalty of on-air talent to the Group.
The Group experienced a decline in metro audience share since last year, with full year market share of 27.8% 
compared to 29.1% in 2017.

The Group has increased its focus on improving audience and commercial share through strategies such as:
 – Investing in and retaining talent, as described above;
 – Changing its music programming to attract new audiences;
 – Securing sporting rights, including long term agreements with the AFL and NRL;
 – Ongoing investment in On-Air tactics;
 – Developing a commercial proposition for its digital radio stations by aggregating audiences within the Hit 

and Triple M brands; and

Finding and retaining 
good on-air talent

Decline in or loss of metro 
audience share leading 
to a loss of revenue

Failure to develop products 
that benefit from digital 
distribution and/or loses 
share to a competitor that 
successfully introduces 
new products

 – Development of integrated advertising solutions that provide clients with a strong return on investment.
With new alternative digital platforms and technologies emerging, there is a risk that the Group loses market share 
to alternative digital platforms and technologies, or fails to fully exploit the opportunity digital media represents 
for the business to lock in and grow new audience loyalty, or suffers financial loss due to a transfer of advertising 
spend to digital media.

The Group has employed a team of digital experts, which are now integrated into the Group’s day to day operations 
in order to leverage existing content and sales capabilities.

The Group invests in engaging digital audiences through the simulcast of its FM radio stations online and the 
creation of additional stations on DAB that extends its Hit and Triple M radio brands across broadcast and online 
platforms. SCA is the number one radio group in the country with a unique digital audience of 1,080,0001.

The Group’s digital strategy is to utilise its broadcast, social and website reach to continuously engage audiences 
around our digital audio offering, driving people to our branded apps on which they can listen either live or 
on-demand. SCA currently has an installed base of 1.6 million2 across its branded radio apps.

PodcastOne Australia is SCA’s podcast network which was launched in 2017 and which SCA aims to make 
the pre-eminent podcasting network in Australia. PodcastOne Australia produces unique original content that 
is available on demand to listeners and this content is monetised through advertising. From a standing start 
PodcastOne achieved 40 million downloads in its first year.

1  Nielsen Digital Panel (Monthly), Figure for June 18.
2  AppAnnie: All Time Downloads.

39

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportNon-Audit Services
The Company may decide to employ the auditor on assignments 
additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditor’s expertise 
and experience with the Group are important.

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor 
(PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia) for audit and non-audit services 
provided during the year are set out in note 21.

The Board has considered the position and, in accordance with 
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. 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 for the following reasons:
 – all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit & Risk 
Committee to ensure they do not impact the impartiality 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.

Environmental Regulation
The operations of the Group are not subject to any significant 
environmental regulations under Australian Commonwealth, State 
or Territory law. The Directors are not aware of any breaches of any 
environmental regulations.

Distributions and Dividends

Type
Final 2017 Ordinary
Interim 2018 Ordinary

Cents 
per share
4.00
3.75

Total Amount  
$’m
30.8
28.8

Date of Payment
10 October 2017
12 April 2018

Since the end of the financial year the Directors have  
declared the payment of a final 2018 ordinary dividend of  
$30.761 million (4.00 cents per fully paid share) out of Retained 
profits – 2013 reserve. This dividend will be paid on 9 October 2018 
by the Company.

Significant Changes in State of Affairs
In the opinion of the Directors, there were no significant changes 
in the state of affairs of the Group that occurred during the 
year under review.

Events Occurring After Balance Date
Events occurring after balance date are outlined in note 24 
“Events Occurring after Balance Date” to the Financial Statements.

Likely Developments and 
Expected Results of Operations
Further information on likely developments relating to the operations 
of the Group in future years and the expected results of those 
operations have not been included in this report because the 
Directors of the Company believe it would be likely to result in 
unreasonable prejudice to the commercial interests of the Group.

Indemnification and Insurance of Officers 
and Auditors
During the year the Company paid a premium of $335,205 to 
insure its officers. So long as the officers of the Company act in 
accordance with the Constitution and the law, the officers remain 
indemnified out of the assets of the Company and the Group against 
any losses incurred while acting on behalf of the Company and the 
Group. The auditors of the Group are in no way indemnified out of 
the assets of the Group.

40

DIRECTORS’ REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportInformation on Directors

Chairman

Peter Bush

Appointed 25 February 2015

Most recently elected by shareholders: 29 October 2015

Board Committees: Chairman, Nomination Committee

Peter Bush had a distinguished career in executive roles spanning the media, FMCG, advertising and consumer 
products sectors. He also brings considerable and highly respected public company directorship experience to 
Southern Cross Media Group. Peter is currently Chairman of Inghams Group Limited. He has previously served 
on the boards of Mantra Group Ltd, Pacific Brands Ltd, Nine Entertainment Holdings, Insurance Australia Group, 
Miranda Wines, McDonald’s Australia Limited and Lion.
Appointed 26 September 2005

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016

Board Committees: Deputy Chairman

Until July 2010, Leon Pasternak was a senior corporate partner at Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills) 
specialising in mergers and acquisitions, public finance and corporate reorganisations. Until February 2014, Leon 
held the positions of Vice Chairman and Managing Director with Merrill Lynch Markets (Australia) Pty Limited (a 
subsidiary of Bank of America) with responsibility for the financial institutions group and mergers and acquisitions.
Appointed 29 June 2015

Most recently elected by shareholders: 29 October 2015

Grant Blackley has enjoyed an extensive career with more than 30 years’ experience in the media and 
entertainment sectors. Grant joined the Board in June 2015 as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 
and is responsible for leading the strategic and operational performance of the Company. Grant is a Director of 
Commercial Radio Australia and Free TV Australia. He has served in numerous senior leadership roles including 
at the TEN Network, as CEO from 2005 to 2010. Prior to becoming CEO, Grant held key roles in network sales, 
digital media and multi-channel program development as well as being responsible for group strategy, acquisitions 
and executive leadership and development.
Appointed 1 September 2014

Deputy Chairman

Leon Pasternak

CEO and  
Managing Director

Grant Blackley

Director

Glen Boreham AM

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee, People & Culture Committee

Director

Robert Murray

Director

Helen Nash

Glen Boreham AM had a distinguished career at IBM culminating in the role of Chief Executive Officer and 
Managing Director, IBM Australia and New Zealand from 2006 to 2010. Glen was the inaugural Chair of Screen 
Australia from 2008 to 2014, and also chaired the Australian Government’s Convergence Review of the media 
industry. He is a non-executive director of Cochlear Limited, Link Group Limited and Chair of the Advisory Board 
at IXUP Limited. Glen was previously Chair of the Industry Advisory Board at the University of Technology Sydney, 
and Chair of Advance, representing the one million Australians living overseas.
Appointed 1 September 2014

Most recently elected by shareholders: 24 October 2017

Board Committees: People & Culture Committee, Nomination Committee

Robert Murray has had a significant and varied career in sales, marketing and general management having 
served most recently as the CEO of Lion (formerly Lion Nathan), one of Australasia’s leading food and beverage 
companies, including during its acquisition by Kirin Holdings in 2009. Before joining Lion in 2004, Rob worked 
for Procter & Gamble for 12 years, and then for eight years with Nestlé, firstly as MD of the UK Food business and 
from 2000 to 2004 as CEO of Nestlé Oceania. Rob is a board member of the Bestest Foundation and is Chairman 
of Metcash Ltd.
Appointed 23 April 2015

Most recently elected by shareholders: 24 October 2017

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee, People & Culture Committee (Chair), Nomination Committee

Helen Nash has more than 20 years’ experience in brands and marketing, including seven years in FMCG at 
Procter & Gamble, followed by three years in publishing at IPC Media. Helen held a variety of senior executive 
roles at McDonald’s Australia Limited over a period of nearly ten years, including the position of Chief Operating 
Officer, overseeing restaurant operations, marketing, menu, insights and research and information technology. 
Helen is also a non-executive director of Blackmores Ltd, Metcash Ltd and Inghams Group Ltd. She was formerly 
a non-executive director of Pacific Brands Ltd.

41

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportInformation on Directors (continued)

Director

Melanie Willis

Appointed 26 May 2016

Most recently elected by shareholders: 20 October 2016

Board Committees: Audit & Risk Committee (Chair), People & Culture Committee

Melanie has extensive experience in corporate finance, strategy and innovation and investments both in executive 
and non-executive roles in a number of sectors, including accounting and finance, infrastructure, property 
investment management and retail services (including tourism and start-up ventures). She has held non-executive 
director roles on the Boards of tourism and leisure operator Mantra Group, specialist lender Pepper Group and 
Ardent Leisure. She was CEO of NRMA Investments (and head of strategy and innovation) and CEO of a financial 
services start-up and director of Deutsche Bank, having previously been in corporate finance at Bankers Trust 
and Westpac. Melanie is currently also a non-executive director of fund manager Challenger Limited.

Information on Company Secretary

General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

Tony Hudson

Appointed 7 September 2015

Tony Hudson has over 20 years’ experience in senior legal and governance roles. Tony was General Counsel and 
Company Secretary at ConnectEast from 2005 until 2015. Before that, Tony was a partner of Blake Dawson 
Waldron (now Ashurst Australia), working in the firm’s Melbourne office and from 1993 until 2000 in its Jakarta 
associated office. Tony manages the Group’s national legal and corporate affairs teams, including responsibility for 
regulatory affairs and Board governance.

Meetings of Directors
The number of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees that were held during the year and the number of meetings attended by 
each Director are summarised in the table below.

The Nomination Committee did not meet formally during the year. Members of the Nomination Committee met informally to discuss Board 
succession issues during the year.

Director
Peter Bush
Leon Pasternak
Grant Blackley
Glen Boreham
Rob Murray
Helen Nash
Melanie Willis

Board

Audit & Risk

People & Culture

Meetings of Committees

Attended
7
7
8
8
8
8
8

Held
8
8
8
8
8
8
8

Attended
*
*
3*
3
*
3
3

Held
*
*
3
3
*
3
3

Attended
*
2
4*
2
4
4
4

Held
*
2
4
2
4
4
4

Held refers to the number of meetings held during the time the Director held office or was a member of the relevant committee during the year.

* Not a member of the relevant committee during the year.

42

DIRECTORS’ REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportREMUNERATION REPORT

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Letter from People & Culture Committee
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Company’s 
2018 Remuneration Report. The People & Culture Committee 
(PCC) assists the Board in its oversight of management activities in 
developing and implementing strategies to improve the Company’s 
culture and diversity, consistent with our values. An important part 
of the committee’s role is to ensure that the Company’s remuneration 
policies are aligned with the creation of value for shareholders, having 
regard to applicable governance, legal and regulatory requirements 
and industry standards.

Executive remuneration includes fixed and variable components, 
comprising short and long-term incentives. The Board has decided 
that the fixed component of the senior leadership team’s remuneration 
for the new financial year will be the same as in FY2018.

The Company’s short-term incentive (STI) plan applies a balanced 
scorecard to assessment of the performance of the senior leadership 
team and other participants in the STI plan. Performance is 
measured in three categories: profitability and financial performance 
(40%), high level operational improvements (40%) and cultural 
and behavioural influences (20%). This recognises the long-term 
benefits to the organisation of the Company’s leaders committing 
to develop and maintain a strong culture and operational discipline.

The first of these includes Group-wide and individual departmental 
performance measures, with the Group-wide measures operating as 
a gateway to any payment in this category. Financial targets relating 
to Group NPAT, EBITDA and sales were not achieved during the 
year. As a result, none of the senior leadership team received any 
payment for the profitability and financial performance component 
of the STI plan.

With some variations in individual performance, the Board was 
satisfied that goals relating to operational improvements and cultural 
and behavioural influences were substantially achieved. This resulted 
in the senior leadership team receiving between 50% and 60% of 
their total respective STI opportunities. Details of individual outcomes 
are provided in the Remuneration Report that follows this letter.

The Company’s long-term incentive (LTI) plan partially vested. 
This was based on the Company’s relative total shareholder return 
(TSR) over the three years ended on 30 June 2018 being ranked in 
the 71st percentile and the Company’s adjusted earnings per share 
(EPS) over that period growing by a compound annual rate of 3.10%. 
The Board exercises discretion about the extent to which particular 
significant or non-recurring items will be excluded, having regard to 
the reasons for any particular item. The Board was satisfied that the 
Company’s reported EPS should be adjusted for the purposes of the 
LTI plan to exclude the impact of the impairment recorded this year 
against the Company’s regional television assets. The rationale for the 
impairment relates principally to the ongoing decline in the regional 
free-to-air television market, while the Company increased its share 
of revenue in its regional television markets.

As shareholders will recall, following a review assisted by an 
independent expert consultant, Juno Partners, the Board removed 
relative TSR as a performance condition for grants made under the 
LTI plan after 30 June 2017. Grants made in FY2018 and the grants 
to be made in FY2019 have two equally weighted performance 
hurdles over a three-year performance period: EPS and return on 
invested capital (ROIC).

The vesting range of cumulative annual growth rates (CAGR) from 3% 
to 8% has been retained for the EPS performance condition in the 
LTI grants for FY2019. Having regard to the Company’s media and 
entertainment business, the Board considers that this vesting range 
remains appropriate.

The threshold for vesting of the ROIC performance condition in 
the LTI grants for FY2019 is 8.8%, which is the ROIC achieved 
by the Company in FY2018. Although this is lower than the 
threshold of 10.1% adopted for FY2018 LTI grants, it is based 
on the same principle that applied for those grants. This is that 
the vesting threshold for each grant should be the ROIC achieved 
in the immediately preceding year. This is consistent with the 
methodology for the EPS vesting condition and is fair to new entrants 
to the LTI plan each year who will be eligible to be rewarded for 
consistent growth in ROIC over the performance period of the LTI 
grant. The upper band of the vesting range for LTI grants in FY2019 
is 11.2% (FY2018: 12.5%). As for the grants made in FY2018, 
this is 2.4 percentage points above the vesting threshold for the 
ROIC performance condition.

The Board’s approval of this vesting range was supported by market 
analysis conducted by Juno Partners. That analysis indicates that 
maintaining ROIC performance over three years equates to median 
historic performance of companies in the consumer discretionary 
sector and reflects the current market capitalisation of the Company. 
Similarly, the upper vesting limit of 11.2% is an ambitious target that 
would be the equivalent of top quartile ROIC improvement, based on 
the consumer discretionary sector over the three years to FY2017.

Shareholders will recall that impairments and other significant 
items incurred during the life of an LTI grant will be added back 
to operating EBIT and Invested Capital in determining ROIC 
performance. This means that the impairment of $104.7 million 
recorded by the Company at 30 June 2018 will be reversed for the 
purposes of the ROIC calculation for the LTI grants made in FY2018 
(to be tested in FY2020).

Further details of how ROIC is calculated are provided in the 
description of the LTI Plan in the Remuneration Report.

43

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportDuring the year, the Company carried out a gender pay analysis, 
which applies more broadly to ensure that all employees are 
remunerated fairly for the work that they do. The Company used the 
Mercer International Position Evaluation (IPE) system to evaluate roles 
and to compare the remuneration of individuals in similarly rated 
roles in the business. The Mercer IPE system considers the following 
factors associated with each role: impact, influence and contribution; 
communication and decision making; innovation; knowledge; team 
management; and risk.

A total of 295 roles were identified, evaluated and rated by position 
class, ranging from position class 67 (CEO) to position class 41 
(apprentice). The remuneration of individuals in each of those roles 
was then compared. The analysis found that remuneration across the 
business is generally determined by reference to the requirements 
of each role and the skills and experience of individual employees. 
There appears to be no systemic gender bias in the Company’s 
remuneration practices.

Pay gaps between males and females in the same role were found 
to be generally 12% or less. The Company’s biggest pay gaps are in 
one role in which there is a 34% gap in favour of males and another 
in which there is an 18% gap in favour of females. In most cases 
where a pay gap exists in favour of one gender or the other, there 
are reasonable explanations based on location or market factors for 
particular roles.

Action has already been taken to address some of the identified 
pay gaps. Other gaps will be progressively addressed in future 
recruitments and in annual reviews of remuneration. When fully rolled 
out, the Mercer IPE system will be used to set remuneration bands 
for similarly rated roles to improve the consistency of remuneration 
practices throughout the business.

The Board has resolved not to adjust the remuneration of 
non-executive directors in FY2019, and will commission an 
independent benchmarking review during the new financial year. 
The Board most recently commissioned an external review in 2016.

Three of the Company’s non-executive directors now hold the 
minimum shareholding required by the Board’s policy. The remaining 
directors also hold significant shareholdings and will complete 
their required holding during the next financial year in accordance 
with the policy.

The PCC is confident that the Company’s remuneration framework 
aligns with the Company’s objective of delivering sustainable value for 
shareholders. We look forward to your feedback and to welcoming you 
to our 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Yours faithfully,

Helen Nash 
Chairman of the People & Culture Committee

44

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report1.  Overview of FY2018 remuneration
This section provides an overview of the remuneration received by executive KMP and non-executive directors in FY2018. The principles 
for remuneration of executive KMP are set out in section 2. Details of remuneration paid during the year are provided in sections 3 
(Remuneration), 4 (short-term incentives) and 5 (long-term incentives).

1.1. Executive KMP

Total remuneration

Short-term 
incentive opportunity

Long-term incentive 
eligible for vesting1

Name
Grant Blackley
Chief Executive Officer and 
Managing Director
Nick McKechnie
Chief Financial Officer

John Kelly
Chief Operating Officer

Brian Gallagher
Chief Sales Officer

Guy Dobson
Chief Creative Officer

Rick Lenarcic
Head of Regional Media

Creina Chapman
Head of Regulatory Affairs and 
Corporate Communications
Total executive KMP

Year
2018

2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018

2017
2018
2017

Amount
$
2,196,406

2,221,055
890,599
783,042
844,938
773,257
849,937
759,038
826,041
785,756
1,103,924
581,769
270,210

–
6,982,055
5,903,917

Performance-
related 
proportion
%
46.0

Awarded
%
52.0

Forfeited
%
48.0

Vested
%
–

Forfeited
%
–

48.4
36.6
31.6
33.3
28.6
35.6
29.3
17.9
18.1
22.9
25.2
19.2

–
34.0
34.4

87.1
51.0
92.4
50.0
87.4
49.0
73.7
53.0
58.3
55.0
63.6
60.0

–
52.0
82.0

12.9
49.0
7.6
50.0
12.6
51.0
26.3
47.0
41.7
45.0
36.4
40.0

–
48.0
18.0

–
35.93
100
–
–
–
–
35.93
–
35.92
–
–

–
35.93
48.0

–
64.07
–
–
–
–
–
64.07
100
64.07
100
100

–
64.07
52.0

1  The vested and forfeited proportion of LTI entitlements relate only to those LTI entitlements that were eligible for vesting during the year.
2  Rick Lenarcic ceased employment with the Company on 22 June 2018.
3  Creina Chapman commenced employment with the Company during 2015. She became a KMP upon joining the senior leadership team on 4 October 2017. 

She resigned with effect from 17 May 2018. She was not a KMP during FY2017.

1.2. Non-executive directors
The aggregate remuneration of the Company’s non-executive directors during the year was $1,118,438, compared to $1,167,750 in 2017. 
The principles for remuneration of non-executive directors are set out in section 2. Details of the remuneration of non-executive directors 
during the year are provided in section 3.

45

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report2.  Remuneration principles
2.1  Overview of executive remuneration
The Company aims to ensure remuneration is competitive and appropriate for the results delivered. Executive reward is aligned with the 
achievement of strategic objectives and the creation of value for shareholders, and is informed by market practice for delivery of reward.

Executive remuneration packages include a mix of fixed and variable remuneration. Variable remuneration includes short and long-term 
incentives. More senior roles in the organisation have a greater weighting towards variable remuneration.

The table below shows the target remuneration mix for executive KMP in 2018. The STI portion is shown at target levels and the LTI portion 
is based on the value granted in 2018.

Grant Blackley
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
John Kelly
Chief Operating Officer
Nick McKechnie
Chief Financial Officer
Brian Gallagher
Chief Sales Officer
Guy Dobson
Chief Creative Officer
Rick Lenarcic
Head of Regional Media
Creina Chapman
Head of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Communications

Fixed 
remuneration

40%

50%

50%

50%

76%

50%

60%

STI

30%

25%

25%

25%

12%

25%

20%

LTI

30%

25%

25%

25%

12%

25%

20%

2.2 Fixed remuneration for executive KMP
Fixed remuneration for executives is structured as a total employment package. Executives receive a combination of base pay, superannuation 
and prescribed non-financial benefits at the executive’s discretion. The Company contributes superannuation on behalf of executives in 
accordance with the superannuation guarantee legislation.

Fixed remuneration is reviewed annually to ensure the executive’s pay is competitive and appropriate for the results delivered. There are no 
guaranteed fixed remuneration increases included in any executive KMP contracts.

46

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report2.3 Variable remuneration for executive KMP
2.3.1  Short-term incentives
The table below outlines details of the Company’s short-term incentive plan.

What is the incentive?

How is each executive’s 
entitlement determined?
How is the 
incentive delivered?

What are the performance 
measures and hurdles?

The STI is an annual “at risk” bonus designed to reward executives for meeting or exceeding financial and non-
financial objectives.
Each executive is allocated a dollar value (which may be a fixed percentage of the executive’s total remuneration) 
representing the executive’s STI opportunity for the year.
STI awards for all executives other than the CEO are paid in cash according to the extent of achievement of the 
applicable performance measures. No portion of an STI award is subject to deferral.
The CEO’s STI award is payable partly in cash and partly in equity. The equity component is 25% of the after-tax 
value of the total STI award.
The Board sets the annual KPIs for the CEO near the beginning of each financial year. The KPIs are allocated to 
three categories having regard to the Company’s business strategy: profitability and financial performance (40%), 
high level operational improvements (40%) and cultural and behavioural influences (20%).

The CEO determines the KPIs for the other members of the senior leadership team in the same three categories 
and having regard to their areas of responsibility. KPIs for the Chief Creative Officer may allocate up to 40% to 
creative and content performance instead of profitability and financial performance.

The metrics that applied under the STI plan in 2018 are summarised below.

Profitability and financial performance/Creative and content performance (40%)
 – Group NPAT compared with budget: Focuses on financial results and collaboration for the overall benefit 

of the Group. This financial metric applies for the CEO, CFO and COO.

 – Segment EBITDA compared with budget: Focuses on the performance of segments for which they have 

direct responsibility. This metric applies for the Head of Regional Media.

 – Sales-related targets: Focuses on achieving sustainable financial performance from growing top line revenue. 

This metric applies for the Chief Sales Officer.

 – Ratings targets: Revenue and financial performance is heavily dependent on ratings on both radio and 

television. This metric applies for the Chief Creative Officer (for radio).

Profitability and financial performance targets also include targets to ensure non-revenue related costs 
are closely controlled and to achieve specific corporate strategy projects that improve the asset base.

The Board has discretion to adjust budget targets to take into account acquisitions or divestments or 
other significant items where appropriate for linking remuneration reward to corporate performance.

Achievements against financial metrics are based on the Company’s audited annual financial statements. 
The Board has discretion to make adjustments to take into account any significant non-cash items 
(for example impairment losses), acquisitions and divestments and one-off events/abnormal/non-recurring 
items, where appropriate for linking remuneration reward to corporate performance.

High level operational performance (40%)
 – Strategy: Focuses on strategic initiatives (such as network strategy, material contracts and diversification 

of revenue streams) that deliver growth, improved business performance and shareholder value.
 – Operational improvements: Focuses on effective management of business support functions and 

infrastructure to sustain and improve long-term earnings performance.

Cultural and behavioural influences (20%)
 – People: Focuses on maintaining a strong and positive corporate culture, effective leadership and 
development and retention of talent to sustain and improve long-term earnings performance.
 – External relationships: Focuses on development and maintenance of constructive relationships 

with key stakeholders to sustain and improve long-term earnings performance.

Is there a gateway?

At least 95% of an executive’s financial metrics relating to NPAT or EBITDA must be achieved before any STI 
is payable under the profitability and financial performance (40%) component of the STI plan.

Similarly, at least 97.5% of an executive’s financial metrics for sales or costs must be achieved before any STI 
is payable under the profitability and financial performance (40%) component of the STI plan. Where the budget 
for a financial year is less than the previous year’s actual result, the applicable financial metric will be the previous 
year’s actual result (excluding any divested assets or non-recurring items).

There is no gateway for metrics in the high level operational improvements (40%) or cultural and behavioural 
influences components of the STI plan.

Individual performance must be at a “meets expectations” level before any STI is payable.

47

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportWhat is the maximum 
amount payable?

The maximum award for non-financial measures under the STI plan is 100% of an executive’s STI opportunity for 
those measures.

The maximum award for financial measures under the STI plan is 100% of an executive’s STI opportunity for that 
measure. In addition, an executive can earn up to 200% of the financial component (40%) of the executive’s STI if 
the Group achieves up to 105% of the Group’s NPAT target. An executive’s maximum STI opportunity is therefore 
140% of target.

Having regard to assumptions underlying the Company’s annual budget, the Board considers that achieving 105% 
of the Group’s NPAT target would represent significant outperformance. Any STI award for such outperformance 
must be self-funding. This means that the outperformance must be achieved after providing for the incremental 
cost of any STI award.
NPAT/EBITDA
<95%
95% to 100%
100% to 105% NPAT
>105%
CEO: At the end of each financial year, with the assistance of the Committee, the Board assesses the actual 
performance of the Company and the CEO against the applicable KPIs and determines the STI amount 
payable to the CEO.

% of financial STI payable
0%
Straight-line between 50% and 100%
Progressive scale between 100% and 200%
200%

Sales
<97.5%
97.5% to 100%
n/a
n/a

Other executive KMP: At the end of the financial year the CEO assesses the actual performance of the Group 
and the executive KMPs against the applicable KPIs and determines the STI amount payable to each executive. 
The CEO provides these assessments to the Committee for review.
“Bad Leavers” (who resign or are terminated for cause) will forfeit their STI entitlement, unless otherwise 
determined by the Board or the CEO as appropriate.

The STI payments of executives who cease employment for other reasons are pro-rated for time and performance, 
unless otherwise determined by the Board.
In the event of a change of control before the STI payment date, the STI payment is pro-rated for time and 
performance, subject to the Board’s discretion.
The Board may reconsider the level of satisfaction of a performance measure and take steps to reduce the benefit 
of an STI award to the extent its vesting was affected by fraud, dishonesty, breach of obligation or other action 
likely to result in long-term detriment to the Company.
Discretionary elements: The Board (for KMP) and the CEO (for other executives) have discretion to grant additional 
bonuses for special projects or achievements that are not contemplated in the normal course of business or that 
have a particular strategic impact for the Company, such as acquisitions and divestments, refinancing, or major 
capital expenditure projects.

Minimum employment period: Participants must be employed for at least three months in the performance period to 
be entitled to receive an STI payment.

How is 
performance assessed?

Cessation of employment

Change of control

Clawback

Other features

2.3.2  Long-term incentives
The table below outlines details of the Company’s long-term incentive plan.

What is the incentive?

How is each executive’s 
entitlement determined?

The LTI plan provides executive KMP with grants of performance rights over ordinary shares, for nil consideration. 
Performance rights granted under the LTI plan are subject to a three-year performance period. From 2017, the LTI 
plan has also been made available to about 20 executives in the next tiers of management.
Each executive is allocated a dollar value (which may be a fixed percentage of the executive’s total remuneration) 
representing the executive’s maximum LTI opportunity for the year. This dollar value is converted into a number 
of performance rights in the LTI plan, based on the face value of performance rights at the applicable grant date. 
The face value of performance rights is calculated as:
 – the weighted average price of the Company’s shares for the five trading days commencing seven days after 

the Company’s results for the prior financial year (ended 30 June 2018) are announced to ASX; less
 – the amount of any final dividend per share declared as payable in respect of the prior financial year 

(ended 30 June 2018).

For LTI grants made before 1 July 2017, the dollar value is based on the fair value of performance rights at the 
applicable grant date. For those grants, the Company engaged Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) to determine 
the fair value of the performance rights. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards, AASB 2 
“Share-based Payment” and AASB 124 “Related Party Disclosures”, Deloitte used a Monte Carlo simulation 
model for the Relative TSR performance rights and a Black-Scholes-Merton model for the Absolute EPS 
performance rights.

48

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportHow is the 
incentive delivered?

What are the performance 
measures and hurdles?

To the extent that the applicable vesting conditions are satisfied at the end of the three-year performance period, 
LTI awards are delivered by allocation to participants of one fully paid ordinary share for each performance right 
that vests. The Board has discretion to settle vested awards in cash.
From 1 July 2017, each grant under the LTI plan has two equally weighted performance hurdles over a three-year 
period: Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Absolute Earnings per Share (EPS). ROIC has replaced Relative 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR), which, together with Absolute EPS, was the performance hurdle used in LTI 
grants made before 1 July 2017. This change was made following a review of the LTI plan by Juno Partners, 
an independent consultant. The Company’s ROIC Performance is more within management’s sphere of influence 
than is the Company’s Relative TSR Performance, is readily measurable at any time during the performance 
period of an LTI grant, and therefore provides a more effective incentive for management performance.

Return on Invested Capital Performance hurdle
ROIC measures management’s efficiency at allocating the capital under its control to generate profitable returns. 
To maintain and improve the Company’s ROIC, management is required to focus on the quality of earnings and the 
capital required to deliver improved earnings.

ROIC is calculated as follows:

Operating earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
Invested Capital (Net Debt plus Equity)

ROIC is defined by reference to factors substantially within management’s sphere of influence. Accordingly:
 – Operating EBIT is adjusted to exclude the impact of significant or non-recurring items (both income and costs) 

to provide a fair measure of underlying long-term performance.

 – Impairments and other significant items are added back to operating EBIT and Invested Capital. To ensure 
consistent measurement from year to year, any impairments and other significant items from 1 July 2017 
(when ROIC was introduced as a performance condition under the LTI plan) will be added back to the 
calculation of Invested Capital in each year. (Impairments and significant items before the introduction 
of ROIC as a measure on 1 July 2017 are not added back).

 – Non-cancellable operating leases are included in Invested Capital.
 – Returns are measured pre-tax.
 – Invested Capital is measured at the end of each month over the final year of an LTI grant and is averaged for 

the purposes of calculating ROIC.

 – Where applicable, items used to calculate ROIC will be rebased to accommodate changes in accounting 

standards and policies during the life of an LTI grant.

ROIC performance rights will vest if the Company’s ROIC performance in the final year of the performance period 
is at or above a threshold set by the Board at the time of making the relevant LTI grant. ROIC performance rights 
granted in FY2019 are eligible to vest according to the following schedule:

ROIC Performance in FY2021
Below 8.8%
8.8%
8.8% to 11.2%
At or above 11.2%

% of allocation that vests
Nil
50%
Straight-line vesting between 50% and 100%
100%

Absolute EPS Performance hurdle (50%)
Performance rights will vest if the Company’s adjusted EPS performance over the performance period is at 
or above a 3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Adjusted EPS excludes the impact of significant or 
non-recurring items (both income and costs) and so provides a fair measure of underlying long-term performance. 
The Board exercises a discretion about the extent to which particular significant or non-recurring items will be 
excluded, having regard to the reasons for any particular item.

Adjusted EPS is calculated by dividing the adjusted profit after tax attributable to shareholders for relevant 
reporting period (reported profit after tax, adjusted for the after-tax effect of significant or non-recurring items) 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue in the Company over the relevant reporting period.

Absolute EPS Performance
Below 3% CAGR
3% CAGR
3% to 8% CAGR
At or above 8% CAGR

% of allocation that vests
Nil
50%
Straight-line vesting between 50% and 100%
100%

49

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportRelative TSR Performance hurdle (for LTI grants made before 1 July 2017)
TSR provides a comparison of relative shareholder returns that is relevant to most of the Company’s investors.

The Relative TSR Performance hurdle takes into account share price appreciation plus reinvested dividends, 
expressed as a percentage of investment and adjusted for changes in the Company’s capital structure.

Performance rights will vest if the Company’s TSR over the performance period is at or above the 51st percentile 
against the constituents of the ASX Consumer Discretionary Index at each grant date, excluding News Corporation.

The comparator group represents a range of alternative companies that shareholders could invest in while 
maintaining portfolio sector balance. News Corporation has been excluded from each comparative group given the 
extent of its international business operations.

TSR Performance
Below 51st percentile
51st percentile
51st to 75th percentile
At or above 75th percentile
The ROIC Performance hurdle will be achieved only if the Company’s adjusted ROIC performance in the final 
year of the performance period is at or above a threshold set by the Board at the time of making the relevant LTI 
grant. The ROIC Performance hurdle for grants made in FY2019 will be achieved if the Company’s adjusted ROIC 
performance in FY2021 is at or above 8.8%.

% of allocation that vests
Nil
50%
Straight-line vesting between 50% and 100%
100%

The Absolute EPS Performance hurdle will be achieved only if the Company’s EPS performance over the 
performance period is at or above 3% CAGR.

The Relative TSR Performance hurdle will be achieved only if the Company’s relative TSR over the performance 
period is at or above the 51st percentile of the comparator group.
The maximum award under the LTI plan is 100% of an executive’s grant if all vesting conditions are fully satisfied 
over the performance period.
The Board will calculate the Company’s ROIC and EPS Performance at the end of the performance period for 
each LTI grant by reference to the Company’s accounting records and the Company’s audited financial reports. 
The Company may engage an independent consultant to review or carry out these calculations.

The Group engages Deloitte to report on the Company’s TSR ranking within the comparator group as defined 
in each of the LTI plans at each relevant vesting date.

Is there a gateway?

What is the maximum 
amount payable?
How is performance  
assessed?

Cessation of employment

There is no re-testing of performance hurdles under the LTI plan.
“Bad Leavers” (who resign or are terminated for cause) will forfeit any unvested performance rights, 
unless otherwise determined by the Board.

For executives who cease employment for other reasons, the Board has discretion to vest any unvested 
performance rights on a pro-rata basis taking into account time and the current level of performance against 
the performance hurdle, or to hold the LTI award to be tested against performance hurdles at the end of the 
original vesting period.
In the event of a change of control before vesting of an LTI award, the Board has discretion as to how to treat the 
unvested award, including to determine that the award will vest or lapse in whole or in part, or that it will continue 
subject to the same or different conditions.
The Board may reconsider the level of satisfaction of a performance hurdle and take steps to reduce the benefit 
of an LTI award to the extent its vesting was affected by fraud, dishonesty, breach of obligation or other action 
likely to result in long-term detriment to the Company.
Treatment of dividends: There are no dividends payable to participants on unvested performance rights. 
Once performance rights have vested to fully paid ordinary shares, the participant will be entitled to dividends 
on these shares.

Sourcing of shares: The Board has discretion to purchase shares on-market or to issue new shares in respect 
of vested performance rights.

Retention of shares: The rules of the LTI plan do not require participants to retain any shares allocated to 
them upon vesting of performance rights. However, the Company’s Senior Executive Shareholding Plan requires 
Executive KMP to retain 25% of the shares allocated to them upon vesting of performance rights while they 
remain employed by the Company.

Change of control

Clawback

Other features

50

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report2.4  Consequences of performance on shareholder value
In considering the Group’s performance and the benefits for shareholder value, the Board has regard to the following indicators in the current 
financial year and the preceding four financial years.

Revenue
EBITA
EBITDA %
Net profit before tax
Net profit after tax (“NPAT”)
NPAT %
Net profit after tax excluding significant items
NPAT % excluding significant items
EPS (cents)1
ROIC2

Opening share price
Closing share price
Dividend/Distribution

30 June 2018
$’000
653,007
154,662
23.7%
4,433
1,422
0.22%
75,271
11.5%
9.79
8.8%

30 June 2017
$’000
687,244
177,393
25.8%
127,738
108,563
15.8%
108,563
15.8%
12.20
10.1%

30 June 2016
$’000
639,555
167,722
26.2%
114,177
77,243
12.0%
77,243
12.0%
10.12
9.1%

30 June 2014
$’000
640,834
179,705
28.0%
(279,577)
(296,008)
(46.2%)
79,629
12.4%
11.29
n/a
30 June 2018 30 June 2017 30 June 2016 30 June 2015 30 June 2014
$1.43
$1.07
7.5c

30 June 2015
$’000
611,120
163,262
26.7%
(265,216)
(284,950)
(46.6%)
64,783
10.6%
8.93
n/a

$0.97
$1.25
6.25c

$1.07
$0.97
6.0c

$1.25
$1.25
7.25c

$1.25
$1.31
7.75c

1  EPS is shown after adjustments to exclude the impact of significant or non-recurring items (both income and costs) as approved by the Board for the purposes of the 

Company’s LTI plan.

2  ROIC is calculated in accordance with the principles outline in section 2.3.2. It has not been calculated for periods prior to the introduction of the scheme in 2016.

2.5 Executive service contracts
The Company has entered into service contracts setting out the terms of employment of each executive KMP. All service contracts are for an 
indefinite term, subject to termination by either party on six months’ notice (12 weeks’ notice in the case of Rick Lenarcic). Each executive 
service contract provides for the payment of base salary and participation in the Company’s STI and LTI plans, along with other prescribed 
non-monetary benefits.

2.6  Services from remuneration consultants
During 2017, the Board’s People & Culture Committee (PCC) engaged Juno Partners as an independent expert consultant to review the 
Company’s LTI plan. This review included recommendations about the performance conditions and vesting range for grants made under the 
LTI plan. During 2018, management engaged Juno Partners to prepare analysis to inform the PCC’s and Board’s deliberations in relation to 
setting the ROIC and EPS performance conditions and vesting range for grants to be made under the LTI plan in FY2019. Juno Partners was 
paid $26,792 for its services in 2018.

Deloitte was engaged during the year to assess the performance of the Company’s LTI plans as at each vesting date and, for this purpose, 
to determine the Group’s TSR ranking within the comparator group and EPS growth over the applicable performance periods. Deloitte was 
paid $9,450 for these services.

During 2016, the PCC engaged KPMG to provide an independent report benchmarking the remuneration of the Company’s executive KMP 
and its non-executive directors. The remuneration of the Company’s executive KMP and non-executive directors was adjusted following 
consideration of that benchmarking report. The PCC did not seek benchmarking advice during 2017 or 2018 but intends to do so in 2019.

51

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report2.7  Remuneration of non-executive directors
The Company enters into a letter of appointment with each non-executive director. The letter sets out the Board’s expectations for 
non-executive directors and the remuneration payable to non-executive directors.

The maximum annual aggregate fee pool for non-executive directors is $1,500,000. This was approved by shareholders at the 2011 
Annual General Meeting.

The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman receive a fixed aggregate fee. Other non-executive directors receive a base fee for acting as a 
director and additional fees for participation as Chair or as a member of the Board’s committees. Non-executive directors do not receive 
performance-based fees and are not entitled to retirement benefits as part of their fees.

The table below sets out the fees for non-executive directors that applied in 2017 and 2018 and those that will apply in 2019.

Base fees – Annual
Chairman1
Deputy Chairman1
Other Non-Executive Directors
Committee fees – Annual
Audit & Risk Committee – Chairman
Audit & Risk Committee – member
People & Culture Committee – Chairman1
People & Culture Committee – member
Nomination Committee – Chairman1
Nomination Committee – member

2017
$

2018
$

2019
$

265,000
171,000
132,500

273,000
176,000
136,500

273,000
176,000
136,500

22,500
15,000
16,000
10,500
16,000
10,500

23,000
15,500
16,500
11,000
16,500
11,000

23,000
15,500
16,500
11,000
16,500
11,000

1  The Chairman and Deputy Chairman do not receive any additional fees for committee work. Accordingly, the fees set out above for Chair of the Nomination Committee 
were not paid during 2017 or 2018 and will not be paid during 2019. The fees set out above for Chair of the People & Culture Committee were not paid during 2017, 
but have been paid since Helen Nash replaced Leon Pasternak as Chair of that Committee from 1 November 2017.

52

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report3.  Remuneration of executive KMP and directors during the year
3.1  Executive KMP
The table below sets out the nature and amount of each major element of the remuneration of each executive KMP in 2018 and 2017.

Long
Service
Leave1

Term-
ination
benefits

Perfor-
mance-
related 
proportion

Total

Share-
based 
payments
Perfor-
mance 
rights3
$

$
$
–
604,873 2,196,406
– 370,000 2,221,055

Short-term employee benefits

STI cash
Salary 
bonus2
and fees
$
Year
$
2018 1,143,627
405,000
2017 1,121,884 705,240

Non-
monetary
$

Total
$
4,428 1,553,055
4,315 1,831,439

Post-
employment
Super 
con-
tribution
$
20,049
19,616

523,107

2018
140,140
2017 512,384 163,548

2,799 666,046
3,494 679,426

539,440

140,600
2018
2017 528,384 159,942

4,428 684,468
4,315 692,641

523,106

2018
132,860
2017 512,384 130,390

4,428 660,394
4,315 647,089

2018
633,530
2017 633,530

53,333
58,333

4,428
691,291
4,315 696,178

389,624
2018
2017 389,384

115,500
79,200

517,087
11,963
25,043 493,627

2018
2017

200,531
–

51,900
–

2,798 255,229
–

–

20,049
19,616

20,049
19,616

20,049
19,616

20,049
19,616

20,049
19,616

14,981
–

$
18,429
–

18,344
–

–
–

–
–

19,770
11,629

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

186,160
890,599
84,000 783,042

844,938
140,421
61,000 773,257

169,494
849,937
92,333 759,038

94,931
826,041
58,333 785,756

–
1,026

429,100
–

137,688 1,103,924
581,769
67,500

–
–

–
–

–
–

270,210
–

%
46.0
48.4

36.6
31.6

33.3
28.6

35.6
29.3

17.9
18.1

22.9
25.2

19.2
–

Executive
Grant Blackley
Chief Executive 
Officer and 
Managing 
Director
Nick McKechnie
Chief Financial 
Officer
John Kelly
Chief Operating 
Officer
Brian Gallagher
Chief Sales 
Officer
Guy Dobson
Chief Creative 
Officer
Rick Lenarcic4
Head of Regional 
Media
Creina Chapman5
Head of 
Regulatory Affairs 
and Corporate 
Communications
Total executive 
KMP

2018 3,952,965 1,039,333
2017 3,697,950 1,296,653

35,272 5,027,570
45,797 5,040,400

135,275
117,696

56,543
12,655

429,100 1,333,567 6,982,055
– 733,166 5,903,917

34.0
34.4

1  Long service leave relates to amounts accrued during the year.
2  The STI bonus is for performance during the year using the criteria set out on page 47. The amount was finally determined by the Board on 22 August 2018 after 

considering recommendations of the People & Culture Committee.

3  The value of the performance rights granted during the year was determined as the face value of the performance rights at the grant date. The method of calculating 
the face value of performance rights is explained on page 48. The value disclosed is the portion of the face value of the rights recognised as an expense in each 
reporting period.

4  Rick Lenarcic ceased employment with effect from 22 June 2018.
5  Creina Chapman resigned with effect from 17 May 2018. Her former position of Head of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Communications has not been replaced. 

She was not an executive KMP in 2017.

53

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report3.2 Non-executive directors
The table below sets out the nature and amount of each major element of the remuneration of each non-executive director in 2018 and 2017.

Non-executive director1
Peter Bush
Chairman

Leon Pasternak
Deputy Chairman

Peter Harvie1
Non-executive director

Glen Boreham
Non-executive director

Rob Murray
Non-executive director

Helen Nash
Non-executive director

Melanie Willis
Non-executive director

TOTAL

Short-term employee benefits

Salary and fees
$
252,951
245,384
160,732
156,164
–
97,944
145,510
134,704
148,186
140,184
162,253
144,292
155,708
151,140
1,025,340
1,069,812

Non-monetary
$
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Year
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017

Total
$
252,951
245,384
160,732
156,164
–
97,944
145,510
134,704
148,186
140,184
162,253
144,292
155,708
151,140
1,025,340
1,069,812

Post-
employment
Super 
contribution
$
20,049
19,616
15,268
14,836
–
9,306
13,823
12,796
13,752
13,316
15,414
13,708
14,792
14,360
93,098
97,938

Total

$
273,000
265,000
176,000
171,000
–
107,250
159,333
147,500
161,938
153,500
177,667
158,000
170,500
165,500
1,118,438
1,167,750

1  Peter Harvie resigned on 28 March 2017. His remuneration is only disclosed for the time he was a non-executive director.

54

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report4.  Analysis of short-term incentives included in remuneration
4.1  STI performance outcomes
The table below summaries the KPIs applicable for each KMP for FY2018 and the performance achieved.

Profitability and 
financial performance
40%

KMP
Grant Blackley Group NPAT

Measure

Performance
Not Achieved

Group costs

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
NPAT target

Nick McKechnie Group NPAT

Not achieved

Group costs

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
NPAT target

John Kelly

Group NPAT

Not achieved

Non-revenue 
related costs

Brian Gallagher Group EBITDA

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
NPAT target
Not achieved

Group revenue

Not achieved

Sales dept  
costs

Guy Dobson

Group EBITDA

Metro radio  
costs

Rick Lenarcic

Group EBITDA

Regional sales 
budget

Non-revenue 
regional costs

Creina Chapman1 Group EBITDA

Media reform 
package

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
EBITDA target
Not achieved

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
EBITDA target
Not achieved

Not achieved 

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
EBITDA target
Not achieved

Achieved

0% awarded 
because of 
failure of 
EBITDA target.

High level operational improvements
40%

Cultural and behavioural influences
20%

Measure
Deliver corporate strategy, 
including PodcastOne, Quik 
Entertainment, technology 
investment and digital radio 
brand roll-out.

Effective capital deployment 
to realise investment 
benefits; refinance senior 
debt on optimal terms.

Performance Measure
32% achieved Lead action plans from 
culture audit; enhance 
reputation with investors, 
financiers and other 
influencers; develop 
succession plan including 
to monitor diversity.

31% achieved Lead action plans from 
culture audit; enhance 
reputation with investors, 
financiers and other 
influencers; develop 
succession plan including 
to monitor diversity.

Performance
20% achieved

20% achieved

Lead implementation 
of corporate strategy; 
develop PodcastOne and 
Quik Entertainment; lead 
projects to improve audience 
audio experience.

30% achieved Effectively communicate 
corporate strategy in the 
business; lead action plans 
from culture audit; develop 
succession plan including 
to monitor diversity.

20% achieved

Regional media growth 
strategy; Metro radio power 
ratio; digital radio strategy; 
monetise sporting rights.

32% achieved Effectively communicate 
corporate strategy in the 
business; lead action plans 
from culture audit; develop 
succession plan including 
to monitor diversity.

17% achieved

2DayFM breakfast 
performance; grow  
Triple M male 25-54 
audience; grow podcast and 
app usage; growth in digital 
radio audience.

33% achieved Effectively communicate 
corporate strategy in the 
business; lead action plans 
from culture audit; develop 
succession plan including 
to monitor diversity.

20% achieved

Regional radio and TV 
revenue growth; improve 
efficiency through technology 
investment; mentor and 
develop direct reports.

40% achieved Effectively communicate 
corporate strategy in the 
business; lead action plans 
from culture audit.

15% achieved

Representation on industry 
and regulatory bodies; 
promote PodcastOne; media 
communications; strategies 
for improved audience 
audio experience.

40% achieved Effectively communicate 
corporate strategy in the 
business; lead action plans 
from culture audit.

20% achieved

1  Although Creina Chapman resigned with effect from 17 May 2018 and was liable to forfeit any STI entitlement, the Board exercised its discretion to approve payment of her 
STI bonus. This reflected her contributions during the year and the cooperative circumstances under which she had given notice and agreed to an earlier departure date.

55

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report4.2 Vesting of STI awards
The table below sets out details of the short-term incentive bonus payments awarded as remuneration to executive KMP for the year.

KMP
$
Grant Blackley
Nick McKechnie
John Kelly
Brian Gallagher
Guy Dobson3
Rick Lenarcic
Creina Chapman5

Short-term incentive bonus
% achieved in year

Included in 
remuneration1
405,000
140,140
140,600
132,860
53,333
115,500
51,900

Profitability
and financial
performance4
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

High level
operational
improvements
32%
31%
30%
32%
33%
40%
40%

Cultural and
behavioural
influences
20%
20%
20%
17%
20%
15%
20%

% 
forfeited 
in year2
48%
49%
50%
51%
47%
45%
40%

1  Amounts included in remuneration for the year represent the amounts related to the year based on achievement of corporate and personal goals for each executive. 

These amounts were approved by the Board on 22 August 2018.

2  The amounts forfeited are due to corporate and personal goals not being achieved in the year.
3  The first performance measure was based on Creative and Content performance for Guy Dobson.
4  Because budget targets were not achieved, the Board did not award any of the stretch opportunity of up to 105% available for the profitability and financial performance 

component of the STI plan.

5  Despite Creina Chapman resigning before the end of the financial year, the Board exercised its discretion to approve payment of her STI bonus for 2018. 

This reflected her contributions during the year and the cooperative circumstances under which she had given notice and agreed to an earlier departure date.

5.  Share-based incentive payments
All references to rights in this section are to performance rights over fully paid ordinary shares in the Company issued under the Company’s 
LTI plan. Rights are convertible into fully paid ordinary shares in the Company on a one-for-one basis upon vesting in accordance with the 
Company’s LTI plan. There are no options on issue under the Company’s LTI plan.

5.1  Rights granted as remuneration during the year
The tables below set out details of the rights over shares granted as remuneration to each KMP under the Company’s LTI plan during the year. 
(Creina Chapman was not an executive KMP at the time of the grant of rights to her.)

KMP
Grant Blackley
Nick McKechnie
John Kelly
Brian Gallagher
Guy Dobson
Rick Lenarcic
Creina Chapman

Details for all rights granted in financial year

Grant Date
Face value at grant date
Vesting date

Number of rights granted
660,993
217,149
223,513
217,149
79,542
167,038
56,475

Relative TSR
15 September 2017
$1.2572
30 June 2020

Absolute EPS
15 September 2017
$1.2572
30 June 2020

All rights expire on the earlier of their vesting date or termination of the executive’s employment on a pro-rata basis. The rights vest at the 
end of the third financial year after their grant. This is 30 June 2020 for all rights granted in the year. In addition to a continuing employment 
condition, vesting is conditional on the Group achieving specified performance hurdles. Details of the performance hurdles are included in the 
discussion of the LTI plan on page 49.

56

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report5.2 Details of equity incentives affecting current and future remuneration
The table below sets out the vesting profiles of rights held by each KMP as at 30 June 2018 and details of rights that vested during the year. 
At the end of the year, there were no rights that had vested and which had not been exercised by conversion to fully paid ordinary shares.

John Kelly

Brian Gallagher

Nick McKechnie

Name
Grant Blackley

Grant Date
Vesting Date
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
FY16 Plan 01/07/2018
Total
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
FY16 Plan 01/07/2018
FY15 Plan 01/07/2017
Total
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
Total
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
FY16 Plan 01/07/2018
Total
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
FY16 Plan 01/07/2018
FY15 Plan 01/07/2017
FY14 Plan 01/07/2017
Total
FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
FY16 Plan 01/07/2018
FY15 Plan 01/07/2017
FY14 Plan 01/07/2017
Total
Creina Chapman3 FY18 Plan 01/07/2020
FY17 Plan 01/07/2019
Total

Rick Lenarcic

Guy Dobson

Value of 
Perf Rights 
at Grant 
No. of 
Date1 
Perf Rights 
$
Granted
831,000
660,993
810,000
764,151
491,803
300,000
1,916,947 1,941,000
273,000
177,000
150,000
150,000
750,000
281,000
183,000
464,000
273,000
177,000
100,000
550,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
33,330
433,330
210,000
135,000
100,000
100,000
23,333
568,333
71,000
69,000
140,000

217,149
166,981
245,902
192,704
822,736
223,513
172,642
396,155
217,149
166,981
163,934
548,064
79,542
94,340
163,934
128,469
32,359
498,644
167,038
127,358
163,934
128,469
22,651
609,450
56,475
65,094
121,569

No. of 
Perf Rights 
Vested and 
Exercised 
During 
the Year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
69,231
69,231
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
46,154
–
46,154
–
–
–
46,154
–
46,154
–
–
–

Vested and
Exercised
%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

No. of 
Perf Rights 
Forfeited 
During 
the Year4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
35.93% 123,473
35.93% 123,473
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
82,315
32,359
35.9% 114,674
108,056
39,894
–
82,315
22,651
35.93% 252,916
56,475
65,094
121,569

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
35.93%
–

–
–
–
35.93
–

–
–
–

No. of 
Perf Rights 
Remaining
at Year End
660,993
764,151
491,803

Value of 
Perf Rights 
yet to Vest 
Forfeited 
%2
$
831,000
–
810,000
–
–
300,000
– 1,916,947 1,941,000
217,149
273,000
–
166,981
177,000
–
150,000
245,902
–
64.07%
–
–
600,000
64.07% 630,032
281,000
223,513
183,000
172,642
464,000
396,155
273,000
217,149
177,000
166,981
100,000
163,934
550,000
548,064
100,000
79,542
100,000
94,340
100,000
163,934
–
–
–
–
300,000
64.1% 337,816
74,152
58,982
64.69%
92,712
87,464
31.32%
100,000
163,934
–
–
–
64.07%
100.0%
–
–
266,864
64.07% 310,380
–
–
100.0%
–
–
100.0%
–
–
100.0%

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
64.07%
100.0%

1  The value of rights granted is the face value of rights (for grants made on or after 1 July 2017) or the fair value of rights (for grants made before 1 July 2017) 

calculated at the grant date. The total value of rights granted in the table is allocated to remuneration over the vesting period.

2  The number and percentage of rights forfeited during the year is the reduction from the maximum number of rights available to vest due to the performance criteria 

not being satisfied.

3  Creina Chapman resigned with effect from 31 May 2018. All of her unvested rights were forfeited at that date.

57

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report5.3 Vesting of rights during the year (as at 1 July 2017)
Performance rights granted under Tranche 4 of the FY2014 plan were tested in August 2017, following approval of the Company’s financial 
report for the year ended 30 June 2017. The only performance condition for these rights was the Company’s relative TSR performance against 
companies in the comparator group over the performance period. The Company received a report from its independent consultant, Deloitte, 
showing that the Company’s TSR performance ranked in the 35th percentile over the performance period. This was below the 50th percentile 
vesting gateway and, as a result, none of these rights vested.

Performance rights granted under the FY2015 plan were also tested in August 2017, following approval of the Company’s financial report 
for the year ended 30 June 2017. There were two equally-weighted performance conditions for these rights: the Company’s relative TSR 
performance against companies in the comparator group over the performance period and the Company’s EPS performance over the 
performance period. A report provided by Deloitte confirmed that the Company’s relative TSR performance exceeded the 50th percentile 
vesting gateway, resulting in partial vesting. The EPS performance condition was not satisfied because the Company’s EPS grew at a CAGR 
of 2.6%, which was below the vesting gateway of 3%. These outcomes are shown below.

FY2015 LTI plan
Relative TSR performance
Absolute EPS performance
Total

TSR percentile 
ranking/EPS CAGR
56th percentile
2.6%

% vested 50% weighting
35.931%
0%
35.93%

60%
0%

1  Based on the fair value at the grant date of these performance rights, the fair value of the relative TSR rights was greater than the fair value of the absolute EPS 

performance rights.

5.4 Vesting of rights as at 1 July 2018
Performance rights granted under the FY2016 plan were tested in August 2018, following approval of the Company’s financial report for the 
year ended 30 June 2018. There were two equally-weighted performance conditions for these rights: the Company’s relative TSR performance 
against companies in the comparator group over the performance period and the Company’s EPS performance over the performance period. 
A report provided by Deloitte confirmed that the Company’s relative TSR performance exceeded the 50th percentile vesting gateway, resulting 
in partial vesting. The Company’s adjusted EPS grew at a CAGR of 3.10% (from 8.93 cents in FY2015 to 9.79 cents in FY2018) over the 
performance period, which was above the vesting gateway of 3%. These outcomes are shown below.

The grants that have vested will be included in the remuneration of participating executives in 2019.

FY2016 LTI plan
Relative TSR performance
Absolute EPS performance
Total

TSR percentile 
ranking/EPS CAGR
71st percentile
3.10%

% vested 50% weighting
46%
25.5%
71.5%

92%
51%

6.  Payments to executives before taking office
There were no payments made during the year to any person as part of the consideration for the person taking office.

7.  Transactions with KMP
7.1  Loans to KMP
There were no significant loans made to KMP or their related parties during the year.

7.2  Other transactions and balances with KMP
There were no other transactions with KMP or their related parties during the year.

58

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportReceived 
during the year 
on exercise of 
performance 
rights

Other changes 
during the 
year

Balance at 
end of year

8.  KMP shareholdings
The table below sets out the movements in shares held directly or indirectly by KMP during the year.

Non-executive directors
Peter Bush
Leon Pasternak
Glen Boreham
Rob Murray
Helen Nash
Melanie Willis

Executives
Grant Blackley
Nick McKechnie
John Kelly
Brian Gallagher
Guy Dobson
Rick Lenarcic1

1  Rick Lenarcic’s holdings shown as at the date of cessation of employment on 22 June 2018.

Balance at 
start of year

60,000
1,185,215
95,000
50,000
52,573
34,670
1,477,458

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
76,378
–
–
–
–
76,378

–
69,231
–

46,154
46,154
161,539

70,000
–
28,500
37,248
45,751
60,000
241,499

71,700
(35,000)
–
–
–
–
36,700

130,000
1,185,215
123,500
87,248
98,324
94,670
1,718,957

71,700
110,609
–
–
46,154
46,154
274,617

59

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportA copy of the Auditor’s Independence Declaration, as required under s307C of the Corporations Act 2001, is set out on page 61.

This report is signed in accordance with resolutions of the directors of Southern Cross Media Group Limited.

Peter Bush 
Chairman 
Southern Cross Media Group Limited 
Sydney, Australia 
23 August 2018 

Leon Pasternak 
Deputy Chairman
Southern Cross Media Group Limited
Sydney, Australia
23 August 2018

60

REMUNERATION REPORTFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 
As lead auditor for the audit of Southern Cross Media Group Limited for the year ended 30 June 2018, 
I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:  

(a)

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in
relation to the audit; and

(b)

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Southern Cross Media Group Limited and the entities it controlled 
during the period. 

Sam Lobley 
Partner 
PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Melbourne 
23 August 2018 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK  VIC  3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE  VIC  3001 
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

61

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportSTATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Revenue from continuing operations
Broadcast and production costs
Employee expenses
Selling costs
Occupancy costs
Promotions and marketing
Administration costs
Other Income
Share of net profit/(losses) of investments accounted for using the equity method
Profit before depreciation, amortisation, interest, impairment, fair value movements on 
financial derivatives and income tax expenses for the year from continuing operations
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Impairment of intangibles and investments
Interest expense and other borrowing costs
Interest revenue
Profit before income tax expense for the year from continuing operations
Income tax expense from continuing operations
Profit from continuing operations after income tax expense for the year
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss:
Changes to fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
Total comprehensive profit for the year attributable to shareholders

Earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company:
Basic earnings per share (cents)
Diluted earnings per share (cents)

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
653,007
(126,393)
(202,243)
(78,955)
(27,533)
(18,455)
(46,987)
1,069
1,152

2017 
$’000
687,244
(131,394)
(200,514)
(83,034)
(31,702)
(19,584)
(47,692)
3,559
510

154,662
(30,718)
(104,708)
(15,609)
806
4,433
(3,011)
1,422

177,393
(30,870)
–
(19,510)
725
127,738
(19,175)
108,563

826
2,248

472
109,035

0.19
0.19

14.12
14.07

Note
3

5
18

4
16

6

14
14

The above Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

62

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Receivables
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Payables
Deferred income
Provisions
Borrowings
Current tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Deferred income
Provisions
Borrowings
Deferred tax liability
Derivative financial instruments
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Contributed equity
Reserves
Other equity transaction
Accumulated losses
Equity attributable to equity holders
Non-controlling interest
Total equity

Note

11

11
18
7
8

11
11
11
16

17

11
11
16
6
17

15

15

Consolidated
2018
$’000

2017
$’000

56,052
136,714
192,766

48,978
158,010
206,988

1,617
7,740
130,607
1,144,744
1,284,708
1,477,474

2,964
5,167
136,178
1,248,955
1,393,264
1,600,252

66,640
8,553
18,138
19
2,476
–
95,826

88,609
7,966
357,601
331,492
1,419
787,087
882,913
594,561

81,042
9,477
19,730
86
3,942
1,651
115,928

91,945
10,134
368,762
361,438
948
833,227
949,155
651,097

1,379,736
5,601
(77,406)
(713,668)
594,263
298
594,561

1,379,736
3,851
(77,406)
(655,382)
650,799
298
651,097

The above Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

63

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportSTATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Contributed 
equity 
$’000
1,379,736
–
–
–

Share-based 
payment 
reserve 
$’000
5,671
–
–
–

Hedge 
reserve 
$’000
(1,820)
–
826
826

Other equity 
transactions 
$’000
(77,406)
–
–
–

(Accumulated 
losses)/
retained 
profits 
$’000
(655,382)
1,422
–
1,422

Non-
controlling
interest 
$’000
298
–
–
–

Total 
$’000
650,799
1,422
826
2,248

Total 
equity 
$’000
651,097
1,422
826
2,248

–

1,102

–

–

–

1,102

–

1,102

–
–
–
1,379,736

(178)
–
924
6,595

–
–
–
(994)

–
–
–
(77,406)

(109)
(59,599)
(59,708)
(713,668)

(287)
(59,599)
(58,784)
594,263

–
–
–
298

(287)
(59,599)
(58,784)
594,561

Contributed 
equity 
$’000
1,379,386
–
–
–

Share-based 
payment 
reserve 
$’000
4,754
–
–
–

Hedge 
reserve
$’000
(2,292)
–
472
472

Other equity
transactions
$’000
(77,406)
–
–
–

(Accumulated
losses)/
retained
profits
$’000
(708,192)
108,563
–
108,563

Non-
controlling
interest 
$’000
298
–
–
–

Total equity
$’000
596,548
108,563
472
109,035

Total 
$’000
596,250
108,563
472
109,035

–

917

–

–

–

917

350
–
350
1,379,736

–
–
917
5,671

–
–
–
(1,820)

–
–
–
(77,406)

–
(55,753)
(55,753)
(655,382)

350
(55,753)
(54,486)
650,799

–

–
–
–
298

917

350
(55,753)
(54,486)
651,097

2018
Total equity at 1 July 2017
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

Transactions with equity 
holders in their capacity 
as equity holders:
Employee share entitlements
Payments on maturity of 
Long Term Incentive Plan
Dividends paid

Total equity at 30 June 2018

2017
Total equity at 1 July 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

Transactions with equity 
holders in their capacity 
as equity holders:
Employee share entitlements
Shares issued, net of 
transaction costs
Dividends paid

Total equity at 30 June 2017

The above Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

64

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportSTATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts from customers
Payments to suppliers and employees
Interest received from external parties
Tax paid
Net cash inflows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment
Payments for purchase of intangibles
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of operations and assets
Payments for purchase of investments
Net cash flows used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to security holders
Net repayment of receivables financing facility
Payments for debt financing
Repayment of borrowings from external parties
Interest paid to external parties
Payments for finance leases
Net cash flows used in financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash assets at the beginning of the year
Cash assets at the end of the year

The above Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

Note

10

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

720,825
(574,967)
806
(34,777)
111,887

(24,828)
(116)
1,144
11,069
(1,729)
(14,460)

(59,599)
–
(1,828)
(10,000)
(18,717)
(209)
(90,353)
7,074
48,978
56,052

741,340
(589,401)
725
(36,423)
116,241

(30,086)
(7,196)
1,088
53,817
(1,000)
16,623

(55,753)
(36,801)
–
(65,000)
(20,937)
(171)
(178,662)
(45,798)
94,776
48,978

65

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportKey Numbers

Capital Management

Group Structure

Other

1.  Summary of Significant 
Accounting Policies

12. Capital Management 

18. Non-Current Assets – 

21. Share-Based Payments

Objectives

Investments Accounted for 
Using the Equity Method

2.  Segment Information

13. Dividends Paid 
and Proposed

19. Subsidiaries

22. Remuneration of Auditors

3.  Revenue

14. Earnings per Share

20. Parent Entity 

23. Related Party Disclosures

Financial Information

4.  Significant Items

15. Contributed Equity 
and Reserves

5.  Other Income

16. Borrowings

24. Leases and Other 
Commitments

25. Events Occurring 
after Balance Date

6.  Income Tax Expense

17. Financial Risk 
Management

26. Other Accounting Policies

7.  Non-Current Assets 
– Property, Plant 
and Equipment

8.  Non-Current Assets – 
Intangible Assets

9.  Impairment

10. Cash Flow Information

11. Receivables, Payables, 
Deferred Income 
and Provisions

66

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportKey Numbers

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation 
of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. 
In addition, significant and other accounting policies that 
summarise the measurement basis used and that are relevant 
to an understanding of the financial statements are provided 
throughout the notes to the financial statements. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless 
otherwise stated. The financial statements are for the consolidated 
entity consisting of Southern Cross Media Group Limited 
(“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (“the Group”).

Basis of preparation
This general purpose financial report has been prepared in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the 
Corporations Act 2001 (where applicable). The Group is a for-profit 
entity for the purpose of preparing the financial statements.

Information in respect of the parent entity in this financial report 
relates to Southern Cross Media Group Limited.

i)  Compliance with IFRS
Compliance with Australian Accounting Standards ensures that 
the financial statements and notes of the Group comply with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued 
by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). 
Consequently this financial report has also been prepared in 
accordance with and complies with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

ii)  Historical cost convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial 
assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value 
through profit or loss. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars, 
unless otherwise noted.

iii)  Comparative figures
Where necessary, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform 
to changes in presentation in the current year.

a)  Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and 
liabilities of all subsidiaries of the Company as at 30 June 2018 and 
the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. Subsidiaries are 
all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an 
entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns 
from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control 
is transferred to the Group. The effects of all transactions between 
entities in the Group are eliminated in full.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the 
acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group except as follows:
 – At the time of Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Southern Cross Media 
Australia Holdings Pty Limited (“SCMAHL”) was deemed to be the 
accounting acquirer of both Southern Cross Media Group Limited 
(“SCMGL”) and Southern Cross Media Trust (“SCMT”), which was 
neither the legal parent nor legal acquirer; and

 – This reflects the requirements of AASB 3 that in situations where 
an existing entity (SCMAHL) arranges to be acquired by a smaller 
entity (SCMGL) for the purposes of a stock exchange listing, the 
existing entity SCMAHL should be deemed to be the acquirer, 
subject to consideration of other factors such as management 
of the entities involved in the transaction and relative fair values 
of the entities involved in the transaction. This is commonly 
referred to as a reverse acquisition.

At the time of IPO, in November 2005, the reverse acquisition 
guidance of AASB 3 was applied to the Group and the cost of the 
Business Combination was deemed to be paid by SCMAHL to acquire 
SCMGL and SCMT. The cost was determined by reference to the fair 
value of the net assets of SCMGL and SCMT immediately prior to 
the Business Combination. The investment made by the legal parent 
SCMGL in SCMAHL to legally acquire the existing radio assets is 
eliminated on consolidation. In applying the guidance of AASB 3, 
this elimination results in a debit of $77.4 million to other equity 
transactions. This does not affect the Group’s distributable profits.

Rounding of amounts
The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Legislative Instrument 
2016/191, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ 
Report and Financial Report. Amounts have been rounded off in 
accordance with the Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, 
unless otherwise indicated.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of the financial report in accordance with Australian 
Accounting Standards requires the use of certain critical accounting 
estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in 
the process of applying the accounting policies. Estimates and 
judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical 
experience and other factors, including expectations of future 
events that may have a financial impact on the entity and that are 
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management 
believes the estimates used in the preparation of the financial 
report are reasonable. Actual results in the future may differ from 
those reported. Judgements and estimates which are material to the 
financial report are found in the following notes:

Note 8  Non-Current Assets – Intangible Assets 

Note 9 

Impairment 

Notes to the financial statements
Notes relating to individual line items in the financial statements now 
include accounting policy information where it is considered relevant 
to an understanding of these items, as well as information about 
critical accounting estimates and judgements. Details of the impact 
of new accounting policies and all other accounting policy information 
are disclosed at the end of the financial report in note 26.

67

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report2.  Segment Information
AASB 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed 
by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance.

Management has determined operating segments based on the information reported to the Group CEO and the Company Board of Directors. 
Management has determined that the Group has two operating segments being the Regional free-to-air commercial radio and television 
broadcasting segment and the Metro free-to-air radio broadcasting segment.

Segment Revenue
EBITDA/Segment Result
EBITDA % of Revenue
Impairment of intangibles 
and investments
Depreciation and Amortisation
Statutory EBIT/Segment Result
Financing costs
Income tax expense
(Loss)/Profit for the year 
attributable to shareholders

Metro

Regional

Corporate

2018 
$’000
242,707
57,714
23.8%

–
(6,560)
51,154
–
–

2017 
$’000
247,163
60,070
24.3%

–
(6,515)
53,555
–
–

2018 
$’000
392,325
114,607
29.2%

(104,708)
(14,230)
(4,331)
–
–

2017 
$’000
417,890
125,857
30.1%

–
(14,213)
111,644
–
–

2018 
$’000
17,975
(17,659)
(98.2)%

–
(9,928)
(27,587)
–
–

2017 
$’000
22,191
(8,534)
(38.5%)

–
(10,142)
(18,676)
–
–

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
653,007
154,662
23.7%

2017 
$’000
687,244
177,393
25.8%

(104,708)
(30,718)
19,236
(14,803)
(3,011)

–
(30,870)
146,523
(18,785)
(19,175)

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,422

108,563

3.  Revenue
The profit before income tax from continuing operations included the following specific items of revenue:

Revenue from continuing operations
Sales revenue
Rental revenue
Total revenue from continuing operations

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

649,145
3,862
653,007

681,283
5,961
687,244

Recognition and Measurement
Revenues are recognised at fair value of the consideration received or receivable net of the amount of GST payable to the relevant 
taxation authority.

Sales revenue
Revenue represents revenue earned primarily from the sale of television, radio and digital advertising airtime and related activities, including 
sponsorship and promotions. Revenue is recorded when the service is provided, being primarily when the advertisement is aired. Commissions 
payable to media agencies are recognised as selling costs. Other regular sources of operating revenue are derived from commercial production 
for advertisers, including facility sharing revenue and program sharing revenue. Revenue from commercial production is recognised on invoice, 
at the time of completion of the commercial.

4.  Significant Items
The net profit after tax includes the following items whose disclosure is relevant in explaining the financial performance of the Group. 
Significant items are those items of such a nature or size that separate disclosure will assist users to understand the financial statements.

Impairment of intangibles and investments (refer notes 8, 9 and 11)
Derecognition of deferred tax liability on impairment (refer note 6)
Total significant items included in net loss after tax

2018 
$’000
(104,708)
30,859
(73,849)

2017 
$’000
–
–
–

68

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report5.  Other Income

Net gain from disposal of operations and assets
Total other income

Net assets disposed
Gross cash consideration
Gross deferred consideration
Net gain from disposal of operations and assets before tax

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
1,069
1,069

2017 
$’000
3,559
3,559

2018
$’000
(939)
2,008
–
1,069

2017 
$’000
(59,568)
53,007
10,120
3,559

In 2017 the Group completed the sale of its Northern NSW television operation to the WIN Television Network and the sale of 45 transmission 
sites to Axicom Pty Ltd.

Income Tax Expense

6. 
The income tax expense for the financial year differs from the amount calculated on the net result from continuing operations. The differences 
are reconciled as follows:

Income tax expense
Current tax
Current tax on profits for the year
Adjustments for current tax of prior periods
Total current tax expense
Deferred income tax
Decrease in net deferred tax assets
Adjustments for deferred tax of prior periods
Total deferred tax expense
Reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable
Profit before income tax expense
Tax at the Australian tax rate of 30%
Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income
Disposal of indefinite lived intangibles
Impairment of investments
Share of net profits of associates
Non-deductible entertainment expenses
Other (deductible expenses)/(non-assessable income)/non-deductible expenses
Adjustments recognised in the current year in relation to prior years
Income tax expense

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

31,282
2,029
33,311

(28,030)
(2,270)
(30,300)

36,207
(4,590)
31,617

(12,171)
(271)
(12,442)

4,433
1,330

127,738
38,321

–
553
(454)
1,259
564
(241)
3,011

(14,723)
–
(247)
1,213
(528)
(4,861)
19,175

69

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report6. 

Income Tax Expense (continued)

Deferred Taxes
The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:
Licences and brands
Employee benefits
Provisions
Interest rate swaps
Other
Net balance disclosed as deferred tax liability

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

(341,272)
5,974
1,794
426
1,586
(331,492)

(372,131)
5,925
2,660
780
1,328
(361,438)

For the year ended 30 June 2018, the Company had $0.4 million of income tax expense (2017: $0.2 million expense) recognised directly in 
equity in relation to cash flow hedges, with a corresponding deferred tax liability (2017: liability) being recognised. There are $58.800 million 
available unused tax losses on the capital account for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised (2017: $70.917 million). There are no 
other unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised.

Recognition and Measurement
Income Tax
Income tax amounts recognised in the Group’s financial statements relate to tax paying entities within the Group and have been recognised 
in accordance with Group policy.

The income tax expense (or revenue) for the year is the tax payable on the current year’s taxable income based on the applicable tax rate 
for each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences between the tax bases 
of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements, and adjusted by changes to unused tax losses.

Deferred Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the tax rates expected to apply when the assets are recovered 
or liabilities are settled, based on those tax rates which are enacted or substantively enacted for each jurisdiction. The relevant tax rates are 
applied to the cumulative amounts of deductible and taxable temporary differences to measure the deferred tax asset or liability.

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

In determining the extent of temporary differences of assets, the carrying amount of assets is assumed to be recovered through use.

Tax Consolidated Group
The Company is the head entity of the tax consolidated group. For further information, refer note 20. 

70

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report7.  Non-Current Assets – Property, Plant and Equipment

Consolidated
2018
Cost
Accumulated depreciation expense
Net carrying amount

Movement
Net carrying amount at beginning of year
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation expense
Transfers
Net carrying amount at end of year

Consolidated
2017
Cost
Accumulated depreciation expense
Net carrying amount

Movement
Net carrying amount at beginning of year
Additions
Disposals
Disposal of operations and assets
Depreciation expense
Transfers
Net carrying amount at end of year

Land and 
Buildings
$’000
33,208
(10,628)
22,580

Leasehold 
Improvements
$’000
41,390
(24,225)
17,165

Plant and 
Equipment
$’000
357,897
(277,802)
80,095

Assets under 
construction
$’000
10,767
–
10,767

23,847
723
(827)
(1,163)
–
22,580

16,956
2,643
(1)
(2,433)
–
17,165

86,755
10,637
(316)
(25,061)
8,080
80,095

8,620
10,227
–
–
(8,080)
10,767

Land and 
Buildings
$’000
33,652
(9,805)
23,847

Leasehold 
Improvements
$’000
38,887
(21,931)
16,956

Plant and 
Equipment
$’000
350,645
(263,890)
86,755

Assets under 
construction
$’000
8,620
–
8,620

27,522
283
(1,098)
(1,789)
(1,071)
–
23,847

13,668
6,333
(11)
(239)
(2,319)
(476)
16,956

95,411
15,066
21
(4,556)
(26,102)
6,915
86,755

8,648
6,411
–
–
–
(6,439)
8,620

Total
$’000
443,262
(312,655)
130,607

136,178
24,230
(1,144)
(28,657)
–
130,607

Total
$’000
431,804
(295,626)
136,178

145,249
28,093
(1,088)
(6,584)
(29,492)
–
136,178

Recognition and Measurement
Property, Plant and Equipment at Cost
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and cumulative impairment charges. Cost includes those 
costs directly attributable to bringing the assets into the location and working condition necessary for the asset to be capable of operating 
in the manner intended by management. The estimated cost of dismantling and removing infrastructure items and restoring the site on 
which the assets are located is only included in the cost of the asset to the extent that the Group has an obligation to restore the site and 
the cost of restoration is not recoverable from third parties. Additions, renewals and improvements are capitalised, while maintenance and 
repairs are expensed.

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s 
carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Depreciation
Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the cost of the asset over its 
estimated useful life.

Estimates of remaining useful life are made on a regular basis for all assets, with annual reassessments for major items. The expected useful 
life of property, plant and equipment is as follows:

Buildings
Leasehold improvements
Network equipment

25 – 50 years
3 – 16 years
2 – 10 years

Communication equipment
Other plant and equipment
Leased plant and equipment

3 – 5 years
2 – 20 years
2 – 20 years

71

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report8.  Non-Current Assets – Intangible Assets

Consolidated
2018
Cost
Accumulated impairment expense
Accumulated amortisation expense
Net carrying amount

Movement
Net carrying amount at beginning of year
Additions
Amortisation expense
Impairment expense
Net carrying amount at end of year

Consolidated
2017
Cost
Accumulated impairment expense
Accumulated amortisation expense
Net carrying amount

Movement
Net carrying amount at beginning of year
Additions
Amortisation expense
Disposal of operations and assets
Net carrying amount at end of year

Goodwill
$’000
352,129
(352,129)
–
–

Broadcasting 
Licences
$’000
1,483,224
(403,448)
–
1,079,776

Brands and 
Tradenames
$’000
89,816
(24,848)
–
64,968

Customer 
Contracts
$’000
2,240
–
(2,240)
–

Total
$’000
1,927,409
(780,425)
(2,240)
1,144,744

–
–
–
–
–

1,182,641
–
–
(102,865)
1,079,776

64,852
116
–
–
64,968

1,462
–
(1,462)
–
–

1,248,955
116
(1,462)
(102,865)
1,144,744

Goodwill
$’000
352,129
(352,129)
–
–

Broadcasting 
Licences
$’000
1,483,224
(300,583)
–
1,182,641

Brands and 
Tradenames
$’000
89,700
(24,848)
–
64,852

Customer 
Contracts
$’000
2,240
–
(778)
1,462

Total
$’000
1,927,293
(677,560)
(778)
1,248,955

–
–
–
–
–

1,224,773
6,940
–
(49,072)
1,182,641

64,736
116
–
–
64,852

–
2,240
(778)
–
1,462

1,289,509
9,296
(778)
(49,072)
1,248,955

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives
The Group tests at least annually whether goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives have suffered any impairment, and when 
there is an indication of impairment. The tests incorporate assumptions regarding future events which may or may not occur, resulting in the 
need for future revisions of estimates. There are also judgements involved in determination of cash generating units.

Key Judgement
Useful Life
A summary of the useful lives of intangible assets is as follows:

Commercial Television/Radio Broadcasting Licences 
Brands and Tradenames 

Indefinite
Indefinite

Licences
Television and radio licences are initially recognised at cost. Analogue licences are renewable for a minimal cost every five years under 
provisions within the Broadcasting Services Act. Digital licences attach to the analogue licences and renew automatically. The Directors 
understand that the revocation of a commercial television or radio licence has never occurred in Australia and have no reason to believe 
the licences have a finite life. The Directors have given regard to the impairment of the television licences in the Regional CGU. However, 
in the Directors’ view, this does not impact the useful life of the licences. As a result, the free-to-air commercial television and radio 
broadcasting licences have been assessed to have indefinite useful lives.

Brands
Brands are initially recognised at cost. The brands have been assessed to have indefinite useful lives. The Group’s brands operate in 
established markets with limited restrictions and are expected to continue to complement the Group’s media initiatives. On this basis, 
the Directors have determined that brands have indefinite lives as there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the assets are 
expected to generate net cash inflows.

72

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportImpairment
Impairment tests for licences, tradenames, brands and goodwill

9. 
a) 
The value of licences, tradenames, brands and goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash generating units (“CGUs”), identified as Regional, 
being Regional free-to-air commercial radio and television broadcasting, and Metro being Metro free-to-air commercial radio broadcasting.

The recoverable amount of Regional and Metro at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 was determined based on a value in use discounted 
cash flow (“DCF”) model.

Allocation of goodwill and other intangible assets

Consolidated
2018
Goodwill allocated to CGU
Indefinite lived intangible assets allocated to CGU
Total goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets

Key Judgement
Value in use assumptions (see part (b))
Revenue growth – Forecast Period
Cost growth – Forecast Period
Long-term growth rate – terminal value
Radio
Television
Discount rate (pre-tax)

Consolidated
2017
Goodwill allocated to CGU
Indefinite lived intangible assets allocated to CGU
Finite lived intangible assets allocated to CGU
Total goodwill, finite and indefinite lived intangible assets

Key Judgement
Value in use assumptions (see part (b))
Revenue growth – Forecast Period
Cost growth – Forecast Period
Long-term growth rate – terminal value
Radio
Television
Discount rate (pre-tax)

Regional CGU
$’000
–
525,706
525,706

Metro CGU
$’000
–
619,038
619,038

Total
$’000
–
1,144,744
1,144,744

Regional CGU 
%

Metro CGU 
%

(1.6)
(0.7)

2.0
(5.9)
13.5

4.6
2.2

2.0
N/A
12.3

Regional CGU
$’000
–
628,571
–
628,571

Metro CGU
$’000
–
618,922
1,462
620,384

Total
$’000
–
1,247,493
1,462
1,248,955

%

(0.3)
0.2

2.3
(1.0)
 12.7

%

2.9
2.1

2.3
N/A
12.2

b)  Key assumptions used for value in use calculations
The value in use calculations use cash flow projections based on the 2019 Board approved financial budgets extended over the subsequent 
four-year period (“Forecast Period”) and apply a terminal value calculation using estimated growth rates approved by the Board for the 
business relevant to each CGU. In determining appropriate growth rates to apply to the Forecast Period and to the terminal calculation, the 
Group considered forecast reports from independent media experts as well as internal company data and assumptions. In respect to each CGU 
the market growth rates did not exceed the independent forecast reports. The discount rate used reflects specific risks relating to the relevant 
segments and the economies in which they operate.

73

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportImpairment (continued)
Impact of a reasonably possible change in key assumptions

9. 
c) 
Regional CGU
Impairment
At 30 June 2018, an impairment loss of $102.9 million was recorded against television licences in the Regional CGU. The estimated 
recoverable amount of the Regional CGU, based on value in use, equals its carrying amount. The impairment reflects a continuing decline in 
the free-to-air television markets: with a decline of 3.4% this financial year; independent estimates of television industry growth rates showing 
further significant declines over the forecast period; and in line with the independent estimates, a reduction in the television terminal growth 
rate to (5.9)% from (1.0)% last year.

Sensitivity
Any variation in the key assumptions used to determine the value-in-use would result in a change of the recoverable amount of the Regional CGU. 
Negative variances may cause impairment in future periods. The following changes in key assumptions would have the following approximate 
impact on recoverable amount and carrying value for the Regional CGU:

Sensitivity
Revenue

Expenses

Post-tax discount rate

Terminal growth rate

Change in 
variable in 
perpetuity
%
+1%
–1%
+1%
–1%
+0.5%
–0.5%
+0.5%
–0.5%

Impact of 
change on 
Regional CGU 
carrying value
$ million
54.0
(52.6)
(35.0)
34.1
(28.7)
31.9
22.9
(20.6)

Metro CGU
Sensitivity
A variation in certain key assumptions used to determine the value in use would result in a change in the recoverable amount of the Metro CGU. 
The following reasonably possible changes in key assumptions would result in a recoverable amount lower than the carrying value to the 
extent shown below:

Sensitivity
Reduction in Metro market share estimates in the final forecast year from 32.0% to 30.0%
Reduction in market growth in forecast period from 2.0% to 1.0%
Reduction in terminal growth rate from 2.0% to 1.0%

Impact of 
change on 
Metro CGU 
carrying value
$ million
(65.5)
(34.6)
(19.9)

Change in 
variable
%
(2.0)%
(1.0)%
(1.0)%

74

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report10. Cash Flow Information
a)  Reconciliation of Profit after Income Tax to Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities

Profit after income tax
Impairment of intangibles and investments
Depreciation and amortisation
Net gain from disposal of operations and assets
Share of associate profit
Interest expense and other borrowing costs included in financing activities
Share-based payments
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
Decrease in deferred taxes (net of tax movement in hedge reserve)
Decrease in payables (excluding interest expense classified as financing activities)
Decrease in deferred income
Decrease in provision for income tax
Decrease in provisions
Net cash inflows from operating activities

b)  Net debt reconciliation

Cash and liquid investments
Borrowings – repayable within one year
Borrowings – repayable after one year
Net debt

Cash and liquid investments
Gross debt – fixed interest rates
Net debt

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
1,422
104,708
30,718
(1,069)
(1,152)
15,609
924

2017 
$’000
108,563
–
30,870
(3,559)
(510)
19,510
2,000

10,799
(30,300)
(10,397)
(4,260)
(1,466)
(3,649)
111,887

(7,717)
(12,442)
(6,064)
(6,446)
(4,951)
(3,013)
116,241

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
56,052
(19)
(360,000)
(303,967)

2017 
$’000
48,978
(86)
(370,030)
(321,138)

56,052
(360,019)
(303,967)

48,978
(370,116)
(321,138)

75

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report11.  Receivables, Payables, Deferred Income and Provisions
a)  Receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Provision for doubtful debts
Prepayments
Other1

1  Included in Other in 2017 is $10.120 million of deferred consideration due in connection with the disposal of operations and assets.

Non-current
Refundable deposits
Related parties
Other

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

126,341
(807)
8,545
2,635
136,714

131,744
(703)
12,795
14,174
158,010

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

147
515
955
1,617

138
1,543
1,283
2,964

The carrying amounts of the non-current receivables approximate their fair value.

Ageing analysis of assets
The tables below summarise the ageing analysis of assets past due but not impaired and impaired assets as at 30 June.

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2018
Trade receivables
Provision for doubtful debts

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2017
Trade receivables
Provision for doubtful debts

Current – 
not past due 
$’000
112,598
–

Past due – 
up to 60 days 
$’000
8,531
–

Past due – 
60 – 90 days 
$’000
2,105
–

Current – 
not past due 
$’000
113,877
–

Past due – 
up to 60 days 
$’000
11,854
–

Past due – 
60 – 90 days 
$’000
3,098
–

Past due – 
>90 days 
$’000
3,107
(807)

Past due – 
>90 days 
$’000
2,915
(703)

Total 
$’000
126,341
(807)

Total 
$’000
131,744
(703)

The Group has recognised expenses in respect of bad and doubtful trade receivables during the year ended 30 June 2018 of $717,602 
(2017: expense of $1,130,603). This provision is based on known bad debts and past experience for receipt of trade receivables. A provision 
for doubtful debts is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to 
the original terms of the receivable. The amount of the provision is recognised in profit or loss. Where a debt is known to be uncollectible, 
it is considered a bad debt and written off.

Recognition and Measurement
Trade Receivables
Trade receivables are recognised at fair value, being the original invoice amount and subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision 
for doubtful debts. Generally credit terms are for 30 days from date of invoice or 45 days for an accredited agency.

76

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Reportb)  Payables

Current
Trade creditors
GST payable
Accruals and other payables

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

12,732
3,565
50,343
66,640

11,523
4,132
65,387
81,042

Recognition and Measurement
Trade Creditors, Accruals and Other Payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. 
The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 60 days of recognition.

c)  Deferred Income

Current
Deferred income

Non-current
Deferred income

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

8,553
8,553

2017 
$’000

9,477
9,477

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

88,609
88,609

91,945
91,945

Recognition and Measurement
Deferred Income
In 2016, the Group entered into a long-term contract with Australian Traffic Network (ATN) for it to provide traffic reports for broadcast 
on Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) radio stations. SCA received payment of $100 million from ATN in return for its stations broadcasting 
advertising tags provided by ATN attached to news and traffic reports. The contract has a term of 20 years, with an option for ATN to extend 
it by a further 10 years. The $100 million payment has been recorded on the balance sheet under “Deferred Income” and will be released to 
the Income Statement over a 30-year period, unless the contract ends after 20 years at which point the remaining balance will be recognised 
as revenue in year 20. This treatment will match the receipt of future broadcasting services, airtime and traffic management services that the 
Group is required to provide over the life of the contract.

In addition to the payment received from ATN, deferred income represents government grants received. Grants from the government 
relating to costs are deferred and recognised in profit or loss over the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are 
intended to compensate.

Government grants relating to the purchase of property, plant and equipment are deferred and recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line 
basis over the expected useful lives of the related assets.

77

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report11.  Receivables, Payables, Deferred Income and Provisions (continued)
d)  Provisions

Current
Employee benefits
Onerous contracts
Lease provisions

Non-current
Employee benefits
Onerous contracts
Lease provisions

Movements in current and non-current provisions, other than provisions for employee benefits, are set out below:

Balance at the beginning of the financial year
Additional provisions made in the period, including increases to existing provisions
Amounts used during the period
Unused amounts reversed during the period
Balance at the end of the financial year

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

17,800
–
338
18,138

17,766
1,195
769
19,730

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

2,295
–
5,671
7,966

2,142
1,381
6,611
10,134

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
9,956
778
(2,053)
(2,672)
6,009

2017 
$’000
11,864
602
(1,695)
(815)
9,956

78

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportRecognition and Measurement
Provisions
A provision is recognised when there is a legal, equitable or 
constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable 
that a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required to settle 
the obligation, the timing or amount of which is uncertain.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that 
an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering 
the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if 
the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in 
the same class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s 
best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present 
obligation at the balance sheet date. The discount rate used to 
determine the present value reflects current market estimates of 
the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The 
increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as 
interest expense.

Wages and salaries, leave and other entitlements
Liabilities for unpaid salaries, salary related costs and provisions for 
annual leave are recorded in the Statement of Financial Position at 
the salary rates which are expected to be paid when the liability is 
settled. Provisions for long service leave and other long-term benefits 
are recognised at the present value of expected future payments to be 
made. In determining this amount, consideration is given to expected 
future salary levels and employee service histories. Expected future 
payments are discounted to their net present value using high quality 
corporate bond rates with terms that match as closely as possible to 
the expected future cash flows.

Onerous Contracts
A provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected 
benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract are lower than the 
unavoidable costs of meeting the obligation under the contract. The 
provision is measured at the lower of the cost of fulfilling the contract 
and any compensation or penalties arising from the failure to fulfil it.

Lease Provisions
The lease provision covers lease arrangements to enable the lease 
expenses to be recognised on a straight-line basis over the life of the 
lease. The provision also comprises of makegood provisions included 
in lease agreements for which the Group has a legal or constructive 
obligation. The present value of the estimated costs of dismantling 
and removing the asset and restoring the site is recognised as a 
provision. At each reporting date, the liability is remeasured in line 
with changes in discount rates, estimated cash flows and the timing 
of those cash flows.

Capital Management

12. Capital Management Objectives
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue 
to provide appropriate returns for shareholders and benefits for other 
stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce 
the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may 
adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, maintain a 
fully underwritten dividend reinvestment plan, return capital to 
shareholders, issue new shares, buy back existing shares or sell 
assets to reduce debt. The Group has taken measures to reduce net 
debt and has achieved its stated objective of reaching a leverage ratio 
of below 2.5 times. The following outlines the capital management 
policies that are currently in place for the Group:

Dividend Policy
Dividend Payout Ratio
The Group amended its dividend payout ratio during the year. 
The Group intends to distribute between 65-85% of underlying 
financial year Net Profit After Tax.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”)
The Group operates a DRP whereby shareholders can elect to receive 
their dividends by way of receiving shares in the Company instead of 
cash. The Company can elect to either issue new shares, or to buy 
shares on-market. The DRP has been suspended since the 2016 
interim dividend following the successful reduction in the Group’s 
leverage ratio.

Further details on the Group’s dividends are outlined in note 13.

Debt Facilities
Syndicated Debt Facility
During the year, the Group successfully renegotiated its Syndicated 
Facility Agreement (“SFA”). At 30 June 2018 the Group had a 
$500 million (2017: $470 million) revolving 3 year SFA expiring 
on 8 January 2021. This facility is used as core debt for the Group, 
and may be paid down and redrawn in accordance with the SFA.

Covenants
For the duration of the SFA the Banking Group, being Southern Cross 
Austereo Pty Limited and its subsidiaries, has a maximum leverage 
ratio covenant of 3.5 times and a minimum interest cover ratio of 
3.0 times. As at 30 June 2018, the leverage ratio was 1.79 times 
and the interest cover ratio was 12.03 times.

Further details on the Group’s debt facilities are outlined in note 16.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles
The capital expenditure for 2018 was $24.230 million 
(2017: $28.613 million).

Further details on the Group’s fixed assets are outlined in note 7.

79

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report13. Dividends Paid and Proposed

The dividends were paid as follows:
Interim dividend paid for the half year ended 31 December 2017/2016 – fully franked at the tax rate of 30%
Final dividend paid for the year ended 30 June 2017/2016 – fully franked at the tax rate of 30%

Dividends paid in cash or satisfied by the issue of shares under the dividend reinvestment plan were as follows:
Paid in cash

Interim dividend paid for the half year ended 31 December
Final dividend paid for the year ended 30 June

Consolidated

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

28,838
30,761
59,599

59,599
59,599

28,838
26,915
55,753

55,753
55,753

Cents 
per share

Cents 
per share

3.75
4.00
7.75

3.75
3.50
7.25

The Group has $144.9 million of franking credits at 30 June 2018 (2017: $135.3 million).

Provision is made for the amount of any dividend declared, being appropriately authorised and no longer at the discretion of the Company, 
on or before the end of the financial year but not distributed at the end of the reporting period.

Since the end of the financial year the Directors have declared the payment of a final 2018 ordinary dividend of $30.761 million (4.00 cents 
per fully paid share) out of Retained profits – 2013 reserve. This dividend will be paid on 9 October 2018 by the Company.

14. Earnings per Share

Continuing Operations
Profit attributable to shareholders from continuing operations ($’000)
Profit attributable to shareholders from continuing operations excluding significant items ($’000)
Weighted average number of shares used as the denominator in calculating basic earnings per share 
(shares, ’000)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used as the denominator 
in calculating diluted earnings per share (shares, ’000)
Basic earnings per share (cents per share)
Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)
Excluding significant items (refer note 4)
Basic earnings per share excluding significant items (cents per share)
Diluted earnings per share excluding significant items (cents per share)
Dividends paid/proposed for the year as a % of NPAT1

Consolidated
2018

2017

1,422
75,271

108,563
108,563

769,014

769,005

772,763
0.19
0.19

9.79
9.74
79.2%

771,676
14.12
14.07

14.12
14.07
54.9%

1  In 2017 profit attributable to shareholders from continuing operations included a $14.7 million non-cash credit within deferred tax following the disposal of indefinite 

lived intangibles. Excluding this item the dividends paid/proposed for the year as a % of NPAT is 63.5%.

Recognition and Measurement
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the Company, excluding any costs 
of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax 
effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to 
have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential shares.

80

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report15. Contributed Equity and Reserves

Ordinary shares
Contributed equity

On issue at the beginning of the financial year
Shares issued for equity component in talent contracts
On issue at the end of the financial year

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
1,379,736
1,379,736

2017 
$’000
1,379,736
1,379,736

Consolidated
2018 
Number of 
securities 
’000
769,014
–
769,014

2017 
Number of 
securities 
’000
768,727
287
769,014

Consolidated

2018 
$’000
1,379,736
–
1,379,736

2017 
$’000
1,379,386
350
1,379,736

Ordinary shares in Southern Cross Media Group Limited
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in distributions and the 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, each shareholder present in person and each other person present as a proxy has one vote and upon a poll, each share 
is entitled to one vote.

Ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

Employee share entitlements
The Group operates an LTI plan for its senior executives. Information relating to the employee share entitlements, including details of shares 
issued under the scheme, is set out in the Remuneration Report.

Nature and purpose of reserves
a)  Share-based payments reserve
The share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value of future potential shares to be issued to employees for no consideration 
in respect of performance rights offered under the Long Term Incentive Plan. During the year 918,166 performance rights have vested 
(2017: 219,872) and 2,242,074 (2017: 2,245,096) performance rights have been granted. In the current year $1,102,410 (2017: $917,018) 
has been recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as the fair value of potential shares to be issued.

b)  Hedge reserve
The hedge reserve is used to record gains or losses on a hedging instrument in a cash flow hedge that are recognised in Other Comprehensive 
Income. Amounts are reclassified to the Statement of Comprehensive Income when the associated hedged transaction affects profit or loss.

c)  Reverse Acquisition Reserve
As described in note 1(a), there is a reverse acquisition reserve of $77.406 million (2017: $77.406 million) in connection with the 
IPO of the Group.

81

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report16. Borrowings
a)  Total interest bearing liabilities

Current secured borrowings
Lease liabilities
Total secured current interest bearing liabilities

Non-current secured borrowings
Bank facilities
Borrowing costs
Lease liabilities
Total secured non-current interest bearing liabilities
Total current and non-current borrowings

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

19
19

86
86

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

360,000
(2,399)
–
357,601
357,620

370,000
(1,268)
30
368,762
368,848

For all non-current borrowings, the carrying amount approximates fair value in the balance sheet. Of the $2.399 million of borrowing costs, 
$0.923 million (2017: $0.828 million) will unwind during the year ending 30 June 2019.

b) 

Interest expense

Interest expense and other borrowing costs
External banks
Amortisation of borrowing costs
Total interest expense and other borrowing costs

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

14,912
697
15,609

18,537
973
19,510

82

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Reportc)  Bank facilities and assets pledged as security
The $500 million debt facilities (2017: $470 million) of the Banking Group are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets 
and undertakings of the Banking Group and its wholly owned subsidiaries and also by a mortgage over shares in Southern Cross Austereo 
Pty Limited. The facility matures on 8 January 2021 and has an average variable interest rate of 3.51% (2017: 3.53%). The facility is 
denominated in Australian dollars.

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants which are required to be met by subsidiaries in the Group. One of these covenants is 
an undertaking that the subsidiary is in compliance with the requirements of the facility before any amount may be distributed to the benefit 
of the ultimate parent entity, Southern Cross Media Group Limited. Covenant testing dates fall at 30 June and 31 December each year until 
the facility maturity date.

The carrying amounts of assets pledged as security by Southern Cross Austereo Pty Limited for current and non-current borrowings are:

Current assets
Floating charge
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Total current assets pledged as security

Non-current assets
Floating charge
Receivables
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total non-current assets pledged as security
Total assets pledged as security

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

56,046
136,027
192,073

48,972
157,441
206,413

1,617
4,932
130,607
1,144,744
1,281,900
1,473,973

2,824
4,088
136,178
1,248,955
1,392,045
1,598,458

Recognition and Measurement
Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Transaction costs that have been paid or accrued for prior 
to the drawdown of debt are classified as prepayments. Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Any difference between 
the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount is recognised in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the 
effective interest method. 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 balance sheet date.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are expensed over the life of the facility to which they relate.

83

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report17.  Financial Risk Management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (the Group’s main exposure to market risk is interest rate risk), 
liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk. There is a relatively low level of credit risk on receivables that is managed by careful business 
practices (refer note 11). 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. The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as interest 
rate swaps to hedge certain risk exposures.

The Risk Management Policy is carried out by management under policies approved by the Board. Senior management of the Group identify, 
quantify and qualify financial risks as part of developing and implementing the risk management process. The Risk Management Policy is a 
written document approved by the Board that outlines the financial risk management process to be adopted by management. Specific financial 
risks that have been identified by the Group are interest rate risk and liquidity risk.

a) 
Interest rate risk
Nature of interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the Group’s exposure to the risk that interest rates move in a way that adversely affects the ability of the Group to pay its 
interest rate commitments. The Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings which are taken out at variable interest rates and 
therefore expose the Group to a cash flow risk.

Interest rate risk management
The Group does not have a formal policy to fix rates on its borrowings but manages its cash flow interest rate risk by using variable to 
fixed interest rate swaps. Such interest rate swaps have the economic effect of converting borrowings from variable rates to fixed rates. 
Generally, the Group raises long-term borrowings at variable rates and swaps them into fixed rates that are lower than those available if the 
Group borrowed at fixed rates directly. Under the interest rate swaps, the Group agrees with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals 
(quarterly), the difference between fixed contract rates and variable rate interest amounts calculated by reference to the agreed notional 
principal amounts.

Exposure and sensitivity to interest rate risk
External borrowings of the Group currently bear an average variable interest rate of 3.51% (2017: 3.53%). In 2015 the Group entered into 
$320 million of interest rate swap contracts under which it was obliged to receive interest at variable rates and to pay interest at fixed rates 
at an average fixed rate of 2.5% (2017: 2.5%). These interest rate swap contracts expired in January 2018. In 2017 the Group entered into 
$200 million of interest rate swap contracts under which it is obliged to receive interest at variable rates and pay interest at fixed rates starting 
in January 2018 at an average fixed rate of 2.4%. These interest rate swap contracts will expire in January 2021. Later in 2017 the Group 
entered into a further $100 million of interest rate swap contracts under which it is obliged to receive interest at variable rates and pay interest 
at fixed rates starting in January 2018 at an average fixed rate of 2.25%. These interest rate swap contracts will expire in January 2022. 
Details on how the Group accounts for the interest rate swap contracts as cashflow hedges is disclosed in note 26.

Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swap contracts – current liability
Interest rate swap contracts – non-current liability
Total derivative financial instruments

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
–
1,419
1,419

2017 
$’000
1,651
948
2,599

Interest rate swap contracts
The contracts require settlement of net interest receivable or payable and are timed to coincide with the approximate dates on which interest 
is payable on the underlying debt.

These interest rate swaps are cash flow hedges as they satisfy the requirements for hedge accounting. Any change in fair value of the interest 
rate swaps is taken to the hedge reserve in equity.

In assessing interest rate risk, management has assumed a +/- 25 basis points movement (2017: +/- 25 basis points) in the relevant interest 
rates at 30 June 2018 for financial assets and liabilities denominated in Australian Dollars (“AUD”). The following table illustrates the impact 
on profit or loss with no impact directly on equity for the Group.

84

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportConsolidated
AUD exposures
2018
Cash at bank
Interest rate swaps
Borrowings
2017
Cash at bank
Interest rate swaps
Borrowings

Carrying 
Value
$’000

56,052
(1,419)
(360,000)

48,978
(2,599)
(370,000)

Impact on post-tax profits 
Increase/(decrease)
+/– 25 basis points

Impact on reserves  
Increase/(decrease)
+/– 25 basis points

$’000
+25
98
525
(630)
+25
86
461
(648)

$’000
–25
(98)
(525)
630
–25
(86)
(461)
648

$’000
+25
–
2,059
–
+25
–
2,036
–

$’000
–25
–
(2,074)
–
–25
–
(2,051)
–

b)  Liquidity risk
Nature of liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk of an entity encountering difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities.

Liquidity risk management
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash, the availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed 
credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions. The Group and Company have a prudent liquidity management policy which 
manages liquidity risk by monitoring the stability of funding, surplus cash or near cash assets, anticipated cash in and outflows and exposure to 
connected parties.

Exposure and sensitivity
Financing arrangements
Unrestricted access was available at balance date to the following lines of credit:

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2018
Line of credit value
Used at balance date
Unused at balance date

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2017
Line of credit value
Used at balance date
Unused at balance date

Bank 
facilities
$’000
500,000
(360,000)
140,000

Bank 
facilities
$’000
470,000
(370,000)
100,000

Working 
capital 
facility
$’000
5,000
(4,524)
476

Non-recourse 
receivables 
financing 
facility
$’000
–
–
–

Working 
capital 
facility
$’000
5,000
(4,168)
832

Non-recourse 
receivables 
financing 
facility
$’000
–
–
–

Total 
facilities
$’000
505,000
(364,524)
140,476

Total 
facilities
$’000
475,000
(374,168)
100,832

The $500 million debt facility for the Group matures on 8 January 2021. The Group’s bank facilities are denominated in Australian dollars 
as at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017.

85

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report17.  Financial Risk Management (continued)
b)  Liquidity risk (continued)
Undiscounted future cash flows
The tables below summarise the maturity profile of the financial liabilities as at 30 June based on contractual undiscounted repayment 
obligations. Repayments which are subject to notice are treated as if notice were given immediately.

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2018
Lease liabilities
Borrowings – Principal
Interest cashflows1
Derivative financial instruments2
Payables3
Total

Consolidated
As at 30 June 2017
Lease liabilities
Borrowings – Principal
Interest cashflows1
Derivative financial instruments2
Payables3
Total

Less than 
1 year 
$’000
19
–
14,299
–
59,878
74,196

Less than 
1 year 
$’000
90
–
15,079
1,651
69,908
86,728

1-2 years 
$’000
–
–
14,338
–
–
14,338

1-2 years 
$’000
21
370,000
8,373
–
–
378,394

2-3 years 
$’000
–
360,000
7,593
1,409
–
369,002

2-3 years 
$’000
3
–
1,360
–
–
1,363

3-5 years 
$’000
–
–
79
10
–
89

3-5 years 
$’000
3
–
1,360
948
–
2,311

Greater than 
5 years 
$’000
–
–
–
–
–
–

Greater than 
5 years 
$’000
4
–
–
–
–
4

1  Calculated using a weighted average variable interest rate. Interest cashflows includes interest on principal borrowings, swap interest and the commitment fee on the 

Syndicated Facility Agreement.

2  The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes 
assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of interest rate swaps are calculated as the present value of 
the estimated future cash flows and are included in Level 2 under derivative financial instruments. The total fair value of derivatives used for hedging is $1.419 million 
(2017: $2.599 million).

3  The payables balance excludes interest payable as the cashflows are included in “Interest cashflows” above and excludes GST payable as this is not a financial liability.

86

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportGroup Structure

18. Non-Current Assets – Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method

Carrying amount at the beginning of the financial year
Share of profit/(losses) after income tax
Acquisition of associates and joint ventures
Decrease in associates and joint ventures
Carrying amount at the end of the financial year

Consolidated
2018 
$’000
5,167
1,152
1,729
(308)
7,740

2017 
$’000
3,657
510
1,000
–
5,167

19. Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries:

Name of entity
SCM No 1 Limited (SCM1)
Southern Cross Media Australia Holdings Pty Limited (SCMAHL)
Southern Cross Media Group Investments Pty Ltd (SCMGI)
Southern Cross Austereo Pty Limited (SCAPL) and controlled entities

Country of 
incorporation
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia

Class of 
shares/units
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Effective 
ownership 
interest 
2018
100%
100%
100%
100%

Effective 
ownership 
interest 
2017
100%
100%
100%
100%

The proportion of ownership interest is equal to the proportion of voting power held unless otherwise indicated.

Recognition and Measurement
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are those entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, generally accompanying a 
shareholding of more than one-half of voting rights. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the 
Group. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether 
the Group controls another entity.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. Where control of an entity is obtained 
during a financial year, its results are included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income from the date on which control commences. 
Where control of an entity ceases during a financial year, its results are included for that part of the year during which control existed.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated.

Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income and Statements of Financial Position respectively.

87

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report20. Parent Entity Financial Information
a)  Summary financial information
The following aggregate amounts are disclosed in respect of the parent entity, Southern Cross Media Group Limited:

Statement of Financial Position
Current assets
Non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Issued capital
Reserves
Retained profits – 2013 reserve
Accumulated losses – 2014 reserve
Retained profits – 2015 H1 interim reserve
Accumulated losses – 2015 H2 reserve
Retained profits – 2016 reserve
Retained profits – 2017 reserve
Retained profits – 2018 reserve
Total equity
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income

Southern Cross 
Media Group Limited

2018 
$’000
693
972,784
973,477
5,539
5,539
967,938
1,282,148
6,595
45,040
(96,805)
22,761
(323,833)
27,555
2,534
1,943
967,938
61,651
61,651

2017 
$’000
575
966,576
967,151
2,080
2,080
965,071
1,282,148
5,671
45,040
(96,805)
22,761
(323,833)
27,555
2,534
–
965,071
58,987
58,987

The comparatives in respect of the Retained profits – 2013 reserve and Retained profits – 2016 reserve have been adjusted by $(22,608) million 
and $22,608 million respectively to better reflect the underlying nature of historical transactions. The adjustment has no impact on reported 
profit or net assets.

b)  Guarantees entered into by the parent entity
The parent entity has not provided any financial guarantees in respect of bank overdrafts and loans of subsidiaries as at 30 June 2018 
(2017: nil). The parent entity has not given any unsecured guarantees at 30 June 2018 (2017: nil).

c)  Contingent liabilities of the parent entity
The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2018 (30 June 2017: nil).

d)  Contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant or equipment
As at 30 June 2018, the parent entity had no contractual commitments (30 June 2017: nil).

Recognition and Measurement
Parent entity financial information
The financial information for the parent entity has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements, except as set out 
on the following page.

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint venture entities

i) 
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of the Company, less any impairment charges.

ii)  Tax consolidation legislation
The Company and its wholly owned Australian controlled entities have implemented the tax consolidation legislation as of 23 November 2005.

The Company is the head entity of the tax consolidated group. Members of the group have entered into a tax sharing agreement in order to 
allocate income tax expense to the wholly owned subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis. The tax sharing arrangement provides for the allocation 
of income tax liabilities between the entities should the head entity default on its tax payment obligations. The possibility of such a default 
is considered remote at the date of this report.

Members of the tax consolidated group have entered into a tax funding agreement. The Group has applied the group allocation approach in 
determining the appropriate amount of current taxes to allocate to members of the tax consolidated group. The tax funding agreement provides 
for each member of the tax consolidated group to pay a tax equivalent amount to or from the parent in accordance with their notional current 
tax liability or current tax asset. Such amounts are reflected in amounts receivable from or payable to the parent company in their accounts 
and are settled as soon as practicable after lodgement of the consolidated return and payment of the tax liability.

88

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportOther

21.  Share-Based Payments
The Company operates a long-term incentive plan for Executive KMP and certain senior executives. The share-based payment expense for the 
year ended 30 June 2018 was $1,102,410 (2017: $917,018).

The following table reconciles the performance rights outstanding at the beginning and end of the year:

Number of performance rights
Balance at beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited during the year
Balance at end of the year
Vested and exercisable at end of the year

2018
3,749,123
2,242,074
–
(671,461)
5,319,736
918,166

2017
2,075,763
2,245,096
–
(571,736)
3,749,123
219,872

Recognition and Measurement
Share-based compensation benefits are provided to employees via certain Employee Agreements. Information relating to these Agreements is 
set out in the Remuneration Report. The fair value of entitlements granted are recognised as an employee benefit expense with a corresponding 
increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and recognised as an expense over the period during which the employees become 
unconditionally entitled to the shares.

The fair value of the performance rights issued during 2018 was determined using a Black-Scholes-Merton model for the ROIC and the EPS 
performance rights, with the following inputs:

Grant date
Grant date share price
Fair value at grant date
Exercise price
Dividend yield
Risk free interest rate
Expected volatility

ROIC
19 September 2017
$1.27
$1.07
Nil
6.08%
2.21%
39.61%

Absolute EPS
19 September 2017
$1.27
$1.07
Nil
6.08%
2.21%
39.61%

The fair value at grant date of the securities granted is adjusted to reflect market vesting conditions, but excludes the impact of any non-market 
vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the 
number of shares that are expected to be issued. At each balance sheet date, the entity revises its estimate of the number of shares that 
are expected to be issued. The employee benefit expense recognised each period takes into account the most recent estimate. The impact 
of the revision to original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss with a corresponding adjustment to equity. Where the terms of the 
share-based payment entitlement are modified in the favour of the employee, the changes are reflected when determining the impact on 
profit or loss.

89

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report22.  Remuneration of Auditors

(a) Audit and other assurance services
PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm:
Statutory audit and review of financial reports
Other assurance services
Regulatory returns
Total remuneration for audit and other assurance services
(b) Taxation services
PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm:
Tax services
Total remuneration for taxation services
(c) Other services
PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian firm:
Debt advisory
Legal services
Total remuneration for other services
Total

Consolidated

2018 
$

2017 
$

555,900
215,000
15,965
786,865

594,500
50,000
27,000
671,500

–
–

–
–

165,000
32,000
197,000
983,865

12,000
–
12,000
683,500

The Group may decide to employ the auditor on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditor’s expertise and 
experience with the Company and/or the Group are important.

The Board has considered the position and, 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. 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 for the following reasons:
 – all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee to ensure they do not impact the impartiality 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.

90

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report23. Related Party Disclosures
Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Details of transactions between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below.

a)  KMP
During the year, no KMP of the Company or the Group has received or become entitled to receive any benefit because of a contract made 
by the Group with a KMP or with a firm of which a KMP is a member, or with an entity in which the KMP has a substantial interest except 
on terms set out in the governing documents of the Group or as disclosed in this financial report.

The aggregate compensation of KMP of the Group is set out below:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Other long-term benefits
Termination payments
Share-based payments

Consolidated
2018
$
6,052,910
228,373
56,543
429,100
1,333,567
8,100,493

2017
$
6,110,212
215,634
12,655
–
733,166
7,071,667

Note: Changes to KMP during the year can be found in the Remuneration Report.

The number of ordinary shares in the Company held during the financial year by KMP of the Company and Group, including their personally 
related parties, are set out in the Remuneration Report in the Directors’ Report. There were no loans made to or other transactions with KMP 
during the year (2017: nil).

b)  Subsidiaries and Associates
Ownership interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 19. Details of interests in associates and distributions received from associates are 
disclosed in note 18. Details of loans due from associates are disclosed in note 11.

91

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report24. Leases and Other Commitments

Capital commitments
Commitments for the acquisition of plant and equipment contracted for at the reporting date 
but not recognised as liabilities are payable as follows:
Within one year

Operating leases
Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable 
as follows:
Within one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Finance lease payment commitments
Finance lease commitments are payable as follows:
Within one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Less: Future lease finance charges

Lease liabilities provided for in the financial statements:
Current
Non-current
Total lease liability

Consolidated
2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

4,302
4,302

1,085
1,085

21,708
45,923
21,748
89,379

20,192
53,701
20,603
94,496

19
–
–
19
–
19

19
–
19

90
27
4
121
(5)
116

86
30
116

Leases
Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group, as lessee, has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified 
as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the lease’s inception at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present 
value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, are included in other long-term payables.

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. 
Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis 
over the period of the lease.

The Group sub-leases buildings under an operating lease and rent revenue is recorded as income in the profit or loss on a straight-line basis.

Rental expense relating to operating leases included in occupancy costs is $25.1 million (2017: $26.9 million).

25. Events Occurring after Balance Date
Other than matters outlined elsewhere in this report, no matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year that 
have significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the operations, results of operations or state of affairs of the Group in subsequent 
accounting periods.

92

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report26. Other Accounting Policies
Defined contribution scheme
The Group operates a defined contribution scheme. The defined 
contribution scheme comprises fixed contributions made by the 
Group with the Group’s legal or constructive obligation being limited 
to these contributions. Contributions to the defined contribution 
scheme are recognised as an expense as they become payable. 
Prepaid contributions are recognised in the Statement of Financial 
Position as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction 
in the future payments is available. The defined contribution plan 
expense for the year was $14.9 million (2017: $14.4 million) and 
is included in employee expenses.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage 
its financial risks. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at 
the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value. The method of recognising the resulting 
gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a 
hedging instrument and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. 
The Group may have derivative financial instruments which are 
economic hedges, but do not satisfy the requirements of hedge 
accounting. Gains or losses from changes in fair value of these 
economic hedges are taken through profit or loss.

If the derivative financial instrument meets the hedge accounting 
requirements, the Group designates the derivatives as either 
(1) hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or 
a firm commitment (fair value hedge); or (2) hedges of highly 
probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedge). The Group 
documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship 
between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its 
risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various 
hedge transactions. The Group also documents its assessments, 
both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether 
the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been 
and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in 
fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

The fair values of over-the-counter derivatives are determined using 
valuation techniques adopted by the Directors with assumptions that 
are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date. 
The fair values of interest rate swaps are calculated as the present 
values of the estimated future cash flows.

Hedge accounting
The Group designated interest rates swaps held as at 1 July 2011 as 
cash flow hedges and has applied hedge accounting from this date.

The Group documents the relationship between hedging instruments 
and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and 
strategy for undertaking the hedge transactions. The Group also 
documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an 
ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging 
transactions have been and will continue to be highly effective in 
offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.

The fair values of derivative financial instruments used for hedging 
purposes are presented within the balance sheet. Movements in 
the hedging reserve are shown within the Statement of Changes 
in Equity. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as 
a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the 
hedged item 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.

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 
other comprehensive income and accumulated in reserves in equity. 
The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the 
periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss (for instance when 
the forecast sale that is hedged takes place). The gain or loss relating 
to the effective portion of interest rate swaps hedging variable rate 
borrowings is recognised in profit or loss within “Interest expense and 
other borrowing costs”. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold 
or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge 
accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time 
remains in equity and is recognised when the forecast transaction is 
ultimately recognised in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction 
is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was 
reported in equity is immediately reclassified to profit or loss.

Fair value estimation
The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be 
estimated for recognition and measurement or for disclosure purposes.

The Group has adopted AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures 
which requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level of the 
following fair value measurement hierarchy:

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical 
assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 
that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) 
or indirectly (derived from prices); and

Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on 
observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active 
market (for example, unlisted convertible notes) is determined using 
valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes 
assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each 
balance date. Other techniques, such as estimated discounted cash 
flows, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial 
instruments. The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as 
the present value of the estimated future cash flows.

The nominal value less estimated credit adjustments of trade 
receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair 
values. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes 
is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the 
current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar 
financial instruments.

Impact of new accounting policies
The year end financial statements have been prepared on a basis 
of accounting policies consistent with those applied in the 30 
June 2017 Annual Report. The Group adopted certain accounting 
standards, amendments and interpretations during the financial 
year which did not result in changes in accounting policies nor an 
adjustment to the amounts recognised in the financial statements. 
They also do not significantly affect the disclosures in the Notes to 
the financial statements.

93

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report26. Other Accounting Policies (continued)
Impact of standards issued but not yet applied
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 30 June 2018 reporting periods and have 
not been early adopted by the Group. The Group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards and interpretations is set out below:

Mandatory application date/ 
Date of adoption by Group

Mandatory for financial 
years commencing on or 
after 1 January 2018.

The Group will adopt 
AASB 9 from 1 July 2018.

Mandatory for financial 
years commencing on or 
after 1 January 2018.

The Group will adopt  
AASB 15 from 1 July 2018.

Title of 
standard

AASB 9  
Financial 
Instruments

Nature of change

Impact

AASB 9 includes guidance on the classification 
and measurement of financial instruments, 
including a new expected credit loss model 
for calculation of impairment of financial 
assets, including trade receivables, and 
new general hedge accounting requirements.

AASB 9 replaces AASB 139 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

AASB 15 
Revenue from 
contracts with 
customers

The core principal of AASB 15 is that an 
entity recognises revenue related to the 
transfer of promised goods or services 
when control of those goods or services 
passes to the customer.

The amount of revenue should reflect the 
consideration to which the entity expects 
to be entitled in exchange for those goods 
and services.

AASB 15 replaces AASB 118 which covers 
contracts for goods and services and AASB 
111 which covers construction contracts.

The standard permits either a full retrospective 
or a modified retrospective approach for 
adoption. Under the modified retrospective 
approach entities will recognise transitional 
adjustments in retained earnings on the 
date of initial application (e.g. 1 July 2018), 
without restating the comparative period. 
Under this approach entities will only need to 
apply the new rules to contracts that are not 
completed as of the date of initial application.

Management has reviewed the new standard and 
considers there will be no material impact on the 
Group’s financials, other than some presentation 
changes and expanded disclosures required.

The accounting for the Group’s debt under the 
Syndicated Facility Agreement will remain unchanged. 

The new hedging rules align hedge accounting more 
closely with the Group’s risk management practices. 
The Group applies hedge accounting to the Group’s 
interest rate swaps and this will remain unchanged.

The result of the change to the expected credit 
loss model will be the earlier recognition of credit 
losses, however this will not have a material impact 
on the Group’s financial report as credit losses are 
not significant.
Management has reviewed a representative sample 
of contracts to identify potential changes in the 
timing of revenue recognition, measurement of the 
amount of revenue and note disclosures.

It has been identified that there will not be a 
material change to the majority of the Group’s 
revenue, however the exception to this is revenue 
recognised from the ATN contract (refer note 11(c)).

Management has reviewed the available methods 
of adoption and is expected to apply the full 
retrospective approach.

ATN Contract
Management has identified that a significant 
financing component exists within the ATN 
contract. The Group will be required to separate 
the underlying revenue from the implied financing 
component and associated interest expense.

The effect on the Group’s Income Statement 
in FY2019 and FY2018 comparative will be:

Interest
Expense

Net Profit 
before 
Tax

Revenue

3.3
7.1
3.8

3.3
7.1
3.8

–
(5.6)
(5.6)

–
(5.7)
(5.7)

3.3
1.5
(1.8)

3.3
1.4
(1.9)

FY19
Current ($m)
AASB 15 ($m)
Impact ($m)
FY18
Current ($m)
AASB 15 ($m)
Impact ($m)

Additionally under the full retrospective approach the 
contract is accounted for as if AASB 15 was in place 
at the date the ATN contract became effective. This 
will give rise to a reduction in opening retained earnings 
of approximately $4.7 million with a corresponding 
increase in the deferred income balance.

94

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportNature of change

Title of 
standard

AASB 15 
Revenue from 
contracts with 
customers 
(continued)

Mandatory application date/ 
Date of adoption by Group

Impact
Production Revenue
Under AASB 15, production revenue from the 
creation of advertising would be treated as a 
separate performance obligation to the advertising 
airtime provided. Revenue would need to be 
brought to account in the Income Statement when 
the production performance obligation has been 
completed and not when the advertising is aired. 
Whilst some production revenue for the Group may 
be required to be recognised earlier, the impact to 
the financial report is not material.

Bonus Spots
Advertising revenue is made up of both paid spots 
at the contracted rate and bonus spots at zero 
value. Bonus spots are spread evenly in proportion 
to paid spots. Under AASB 15, the bonus spots 
are to have a value attributed to them and the 
relevant revenue accounted for when the bonus 
spot has been aired. Similarly, paid spots are to 
have a lower value attributed to them. Given paid 
and unpaid spots are evenly spread throughout the 
length of an advertising campaign, the mixture of 
both paid and bonus spots being aired results in 
a blended rate which should be recognised under 
AASB 15. Any financial impact over a reporting 
period end is not expected to be material however 
the Group is still finalising its analysis.

Agency Commission
Under AASB 15, when a third party is involved 
in providing goods or services to a customer the 
entity must determine if it is a principal or agent 
with AASB 15 having more definitive guidance than 
AASB 118. Where it has been determined the entity 
is a principal, the revenue and costs are recorded 
on a gross basis and where it has been determined 
the entity is an agent, the revenue is recorded net 
of agency commission. Where SCA commences 
a contract between an agency and end customer, 
the Group has determined that it is the principal 
and that the advertiser is its customer rather than 
the agency and will therefore continue to record 
revenue and agency commission on a gross basis.

95

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report26. Other Accounting Policies (continued)
Impact of standards issued but not yet applied (continued)
Title of 
standard
AASB 16 
Leases

Nature of change
The AASB has issued a new standard for 
lease accounting. AASB 16 will replace 
AASB  17.

The standard removes the distinction 
between operating and finance leases.

Lessee accounting
 – Lessees are required to recognise 

assets and liabilities for all leases with 
a term of more than 12 months, unless 
the underlying asset is of low value.
 – A lessee measures right-of-use assets 
similarly to other non-financial assets 
and lease liabilities similarly to other 
financial liabilities.

 – Assets and liabilities arising from a 

lease are initially measured on a present 
value basis. The measurement includes 
non-cancellable lease payments (including 
inflation-linked payments), and also 
includes payments to be made in optional 
periods if the lessee is reasonably certain 
to exercise an option to extend the lease.

 – AASB 16 includes disclosure 
requirements for lessees.

Lessor accounting will not change significantly.

Mandatory application date/ 
Date of adoption by Group
Mandatory for financial 
years commencing on or 
after 1 January 2019.

The Group expects to adopt 
AASB 16 from 1 July 2019.

Impact
The Group has classified its leases into four 
main portfolios – Transmission Sites, Premises, 
Equipment and Other.

It is not practicable to calculate the implicit rate 
in the leases; therefore, each portfolio will be 
evaluated to determine the applicable incremental 
borrowing rate to calculate the present value 
of outstanding commitments. The incremental 
borrowing rate will take into account the duration 
of the lease, the economic environment and other 
relevant factors.

As at the reporting date, the Group had non-
cancellable leases of $89.4 million (refer note 24).

The Group has not finalised its quantification 
of the effect of the new standard, however the 
following impacts are expected:
 – A decrease in operating costs due to the 
reduction in operating lease expenditure.
 – An initial reduction in net profit for each 

lease due to the increase in depreciation on 
the right-of-use lease asset and an increase 
in interest expense on the lease liabilities. 
This is expected to reverse over time as the 
portfolio of leases matures.

 – A gross-up of the balance sheet to account 
for the new right-of-use lease assets and 
related lease liabilities.

 – Operating cash flow will increase under 
AASB 16 as the element of cash paid 
attributable to the repayment of principal 
will be included in financing cash flow. 
The net increase/decrease in cash and 
cash equivalents will remain the same.

Leases with a term of less than 12 month or which 
have a low value will continue to be accounted for in 
the Income Statement as lease expenses are incurred.

The standard must be implemented using either 
a full retrospective approach or a modified 
retrospective approach. Under the modified 
retrospective approach entities will recognise 
transitional adjustments in retained earnings on 
the date of initial application (e.g. 1 July 2019), 
without restating the comparative period. The 
Group currently expects to use the modified 
retrospective approach for adoption.

96

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportDIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

The Directors of the Company declare that:

1.  in the Directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become 

due and payable;

2.  in the Directors’ opinion, the financial statements and notes as set out on pages 62 to 96 are in accordance with the Corporations 

Act 2001, including compliance with accounting standards and giving a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the 
Company and the consolidated entity; and

3.  the Directors have been given the declarations required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

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

Accounting Standards Board.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors made pursuant to section 295(5) of the Corporations Act.

On behalf of the Directors

Peter Bush 
Chairman 
Sydney, Australia 
23 August 2018 

Leon Pasternak
Deputy Chairman
Sydney, Australia
23 August 2018

97

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS 
OF SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of Southern Cross Media Group Limited 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Our opinion 

In our opinion: 

The accompanying financial report of Southern Cross Media Group Limited (the Company) and its 
controlled entities (together the Group or Southern Cross Austereo) is in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(a)

giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2018 and of its
financial performance for the year then ended

(b)

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

What we have audited 
The Group financial report comprises: 













the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2018

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended

the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended

the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant
accounting policies

the directors’ declaration.

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
report section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant 
to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with the Code. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
2 Riverside Quay, Southbank  VIC  3006, GPO Box 1331, Melbourne  VIC  3001 
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

98

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
Our audit approach 

An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from 
material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an 
opinion on the financial report as a whole, taking into account the geographic and management 
structure of the Group, its accounting processes and controls and the industry in which it operates. 

Materiality 



For the purpose of our audit we used overall Group materiality of $5.45 million, which represents
approximately 5% of the Group’s profit adjusted for impairment.

 We applied this threshold, together with qualitative considerations, to determine the scope of our audit and
the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements on the
financial report as a whole.

 We chose Group profit before tax because, in our view, it is the metric against which the performance of the

Group is most commonly measured and is a generally accepted benchmark. We adjusted for impairment as it
is an unusual or infrequently occurring item impacting the statement of comprehensive income.

 We utilised a 5% threshold based on our professional judgement, noting it is within the range of commonly

acceptable profit related thresholds.

Audit Scope 





Our audit focused on where the Group made subjective judgements for example, significant accounting
estimates involving assumptions and inherently uncertain future events.

The Group operates in Australia and the audit is conducted by one engagement team.

99

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS 
OF SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of 
the financial report for the current period. The key audit matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters. Further, any commentary on the outcomes of a particular audit procedure is made in that context. 
We communicated the key audit matters to the Audit and Risk Committee. 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Impairment assessment for licences, 
tradenames and brands 
(refer to note 9) 

The Group has significant indefinite lived intangible 
assets totalling $1.15 billion as at 30 June 2018, which 
under Australian Accounting Standards are required to 
be tested at least annually for impairment.  

The Directors’ impairment assessment shows an 
impairment of $102.9m in the Regional CGU. No 
impairment has been identified in the Metro CGU. 

This continues to be a key audit matter because of the 
size of the indefinite lived intangible assets and on the 
basis the impairment assessment involves estimates of 
future earnings and cash flows for both Regional and 
Metro cash generating units (CGUs).  

Judgements made in determining whether an 
impairment is required include assumptions about 
internal and external factors such as industry growth 
rates, future market share estimates and the forecast 
financial performance of the Group. In particular, the 
media industry in Australia experienced considerable 
regulatory reform during the year which is likely to 
drive changes in the competitive environment in which 
Southern Cross Austereo operates.  

In designing our audit approach for the key audit matter 
we considered: 









whether the Directors’ determination of CGUs
was consistent with our understanding of the
nature of the Group’s operations

recent independent Radio and Television ratings
and market share data and the relative impact on
financial performance of the Group

the market capitalisation of the Group in
comparison to the carrying value of the assets
and the impact on the impairment assessment

regulatory, economic and market developments
during the year that could impact the discount
rate and the long term growth rate calculations.

To evaluate the cash flow forecasts prepared for the 
Directors’ impairment assessment we performed the 
following procedures, amongst others: 





obtained the value-in-use discounted cash flow
model (the model) used for impairment testing
and agreed the Regional CGU impairment to the
amount calculated by the model. We also
performed mathematical accuracy checks,
evaluated the terminal value methodology and
assessed the appropriateness of the discount rate
incorporated in the model

compared the FY2019 forecasted cash flows used
in the model with the FY2019 budget formally

100

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

approved by the Board and evaluated the 
Directors’ ability to forecast future cash flows by 
considering the historical accuracy of budgeted 
cash flows and actual performance for July 2018 





considered whether the model’s allocation of
corporate costs between CGUs was reasonable
and reflective of actual costs incurred

assessed key growth assumptions within the
model with specific focus on forecast revenue
comparing to readily available market
information.

We performed sensitivity analysis over key assumptions in 
the model to ascertain the extent of change in those 
assumptions that, either individually or collectively, would 
result in the assets being impaired and we also assessed 
the likelihood of such a movement in those key 
assumptions arising. We satisfied ourselves that this was 
appropriately highlighted within the disclosures in note 9. 

In assessing the indefinite useful life of intangible assets 
we performed the following procedures, amongst others: 

•

•

•

•

•

considered regulatory developments in the year which
may change the licence renewal process or use of
brands

assessed whether there had been any revocation of
television or radio licences by Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in the
year

considered market share data related to new industry
participants not subject to the same regulatory and
licence framework

evaluated strategic plans for the Directors’ intended
use of the related media assets

considered the useful life of TV broadcasting licenses

Indefinite lives classification of intangible 
assets 
(refer to note 8)  

On at least an annual basis, the Directors review its 
portfolio of intangible assets to determine whether they 
should be classified as amortising intangible assets with 
finite lives or non–amortising intangibles with 
indefinite lives. As of 30 June 2018, Southern Cross 
Austereo has intangible assets totalling $1.15 billion, 
consisting of brands and licences, classified as non-
amortising indefinite lived.  

This was a key audit matter because determination of 
whether or not intangibles are indefinite lived involves 
significant judgements over multiple sources of 
externally and internally generated information. The 
determination has an impact on the financial 
statements as it affects whether amortisation is 
recorded in the statement of comprehensive income.  

101

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS 
OF SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Revenue recognition 
(refer to note 3 and 26)  

We have considered revenue recognition a key audit 
matter given the significance of revenue to the Group’s 
Statement of Comprehensive Income and because 
revenue is an important metric by which the Group’s 
performance is measured.  

in light of the negative long term growth assumptions 
utilised by the Directors in the Regional CGU 
impairment assessment. 

We also benchmarked the assumptions and conclusion 
made by the Directors against a selection of similar assets 
held by other industry participants in the radio and 
television advertising market. In addition, we considered 
the significant accounting policy disclosed in note 8 for 
consistency with Australian Accounting Standards. 

In designing our audit approach for revenue recognition 
we have performed the following procedures, amongst 
others: 















obtained an understanding of the customer contracts,
invoicing and cash receipting process

considered the Directors’ assessment of the
accounting treatment of material revenue streams.

performed risk-based targeted substantive procedures
over revenue transactions

performed controls testing over revenue systems to
identify the correct airing of advertising spots

used data assurance software to analyse revenue
transactions

confirmed year end accounts receivable balances
directly with customers or via subsequent receipts of
cash

assessed the appropriateness of the Directors’
disclosure of the expected impact from adoption of
the of AASB 15 Revenue from contracts with
customers.

102

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
Other information 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information 
included in the Group's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2018, but does not include the financial report 
and our auditor’s report thereon.  Prior to the date of this auditor's report, the other information we obtained 
included the Director's Report. We expect the remaining other information to be made available to us after the 
date of this auditor's report, including: Chairman's Statement, CEO's Report, Corporate Governance Statement, 
Additional Stock Exchange Information, Corporate Directory, Board of Directors overview, and other operational 
highlights including Statistics Snapshot, Winning Aspiration, SCA engages with Australia, The leaders in audio, 
Our people, values and partners and Philanthropy.  

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and we do not and will not express an 
opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information identified 
above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report 
or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this 
auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to 
report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

When we read the other information not yet received as identified above, if we conclude that there is a material 
misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to the directors and use our professional 
judgement to determine the appropriate action to take. 

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair 
view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal 
control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance 
with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements 
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

103

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS 
OF SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and 
Assurance Standards Board website at: http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1.pdf. This 
description forms part of our auditor's report. 

Report on the remuneration report 

Our opinion on the remuneration report 

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 43 to 60 of the directors’ report for the year ended 30 
June 2018. 

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Southern Cross Media Group Limited for the year ended 30 June 2018 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration report in 
accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Sam Lobley 
Partner 

Melbourne 
23 August 2018 

104

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportADDITIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE INFORMATION

Additional Stock Exchange Information
The additional stock exchange information set out below was applicable as at 31 August 2018. The Company has only one class of shares, fully 
paid ordinary shares. All holders listed below hold fully paid ordinary shares and each holder has the same voting rights. There are no unlisted 
securities and there is currently no on-market buy-back.

The names of the 20 largest holders of the Company’s quoted equity securities are listed below.

Fully paid ordinary 
shares

% of issued
capital

Name
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited
National Nominees Limited
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd (Agency Lending DRP A/C)
BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd (DRP)
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited (Colonial First State Inv A/C)
AMP Life Limited
Brispot Nominees Pty Ltd (House Head Nominee A/C)
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited – GSCO ECA
Sandhurst Trustees Ltd (SISF A/C)
Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited (NT Comnwlth Super Corp A/C)
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited
Akat Investments Pty Ltd (Tag Family Core A/C)
Mr James Gardiner
Commercial Custodian Nominees Pty Ltd (Pasternak Super Fund A/C)
Abbysah Pty Limited (Weiss Super Fund A/C)
CS Third Nominees Pty Limited (HSBC Cust Nom Au Ltd 13 A/C)
Ms Rachel Irene Alembakis

Analysis of numbers of equity security holders by size of holding:

Range
1 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
5,001 – 10,000
10,001 – 100,000
100,001 and over

Holding less than a marketable parcel

Substantial holders in the Company (with holdings as notified to the Company most recently 
before 31 August 2018) are set out below:

Name
Allan Gray Australia Pty Ltd and its related bodies corporate
Ubique Asset Management Pty Limited
Investors Mutual Ltd and its related bodies corporate
Commonwealth Bank of Australia and its related bodies corporate
Challenger Limited and its related bodies corporate
Dimension Fund Advisors LP and related entities
Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited

Securities subject to voluntary escrow are set out below:

Type
Voluntary escrow

260,206,651
154,405,051
138,052,577
91,744,503
21,943,454
13,612,155
12,856,158
5,804,077
3,657,514
2,943,945
1,700,000
1,390,261
1,264,108
1,101,389
1,000,000
800,000
677,000
614,397
606,780
464,286
714,380,020

Number of  
shareholders
835
1,393
731
1,121
87
4,167
432

Fully paid ordinary 
shares
121,045,349
80,159,734
56,120,940
54,848,915
47,481,655
39,175,389
38,568,350
437,400,332

33.84
20.08
17.95
11.93
2.85
1.77
1.67
0.75
0.48
0.38
0.22
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.13
0.10
0.09
0.08
0.08
0.06
92.90

Fully paid  
ordinary shares
324,436
4,130,812
5,742,727
29,829,208
728,986,422
769,013,605
18,778

% of issued 
capital
15.74
10.42
7.30
7.13
6.17
5.09
5.02
56.87

Date escrow  
period ends
n/a

Fully paid  
ordinary shares
–

105

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual ReportCORPORATE DIRECTORY

Southern Cross Media Group Limited
ABN 91 116 024 536

Company Secretary
Mr Tony Hudson

Registered Office
Level 2

257 Clarendon Street

South Melbourne VIC 3205

+61 3 9252 1019

Share Registry
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited

Yarra Falls

452 Johnston Street

Abbotsford VIC 3067

The Southern Cross Austereo Annual Report 2018 
is printed on Sovereign A2 Gloss is proudly made 
FSC®  certified  by  Hankuk  paper  who  also  carry 
the ISO 14001 EMS accreditation. Manufactured 
with  elemental  chlorine  free  pulps  and  now 
available  as  optional  carbon  neutral  for  an 
additional extra charge. Full ‘cradle to grave’ LCA 
completed according to international standards.

Sourcing included within this document: GfK Radio Ratings Survey #4 2018 Metro SCA FM 
and DAB+ Brands. Newcastle Survey #1 2018, Gold Coast and Canberra Survey #2 2018 
P10+ Mon-Sun 5.30am-12mn Cume. Xtra Insights Survey #1 2016 Griffith, Mt Gambier, 
Toowoomba,  West  Gippsland,  Organe,  Wagga,  Rocky-Gladstone,  Mildura,  Bunbury, 
Bendigo  P10+  Mon-Sun  5.30am-12mn  Cume.  Survey  #1  2017  Wheatbelt,  Esperance, 
Dubbo,  Mt  Isa,  Kingaroy,  Roma,  Emerald,  Port  Macquarie,  Cairns,  Coffs  Harbour,  Albury, 
Bundaberg, Albany, Kalgoorlie, Maryborough, Gosford, Hobart and Townsville P10+ Mon-Sun 
5.30am-12mn  Cume.  Survey  #1  2018  Mackay  and  Shepparton  P10+  Mon-Sun  5.30am-
12mn Cume. 4 AGGS & TAS: Regional TAM. Weekly Cume Reach (1 min) averaged. Sun-Sat 
0200-2600. Diary Markets: TV Advisor. Darwin, Central, SGT. Sun-Sat 0600-2400. SCAR 
insights Podcasting Study. May 2018. “Have you ever taken any of the following actions as a 
result of a sponsorship or advertising you have heard on a podcast you enjoy?” TEG Rewards 
–External Weighted Sample. Monthly Podcasts aged 18-54. N=499. Facebook Insights as 
at 12.07.18. Facebook as at 12.07.18. Twitter as at 12.07.18. Instagram as at 12.07.18.

106

Southern Cross Austereo . Annual Report