Background

Kate Manderly is a winemaker who is the sole director and shareholder of Cross Key Wines Pty Ltd. The company operates a vineyard in Gippsland with fifteen employees. The company has $800 000 in assets, wine-making equipment and a twenty year lease over the vineyard. Cross Key white wines have become very popular with the drinking public.

Kate recently expanded the offering to include red wines. In order to do this, Kate purchased a second vineyard in the Coonawarra region of South Australia. Ten experienced investors invested $500 000 each in return for:

a) 5% equity each;

b) guaranteed dividends until each investors stake is returned (after a period of 5 years). The investors then intend to remain as shareholders, although dividends will no longer be guaranteed; and

c) Security over the entire property and shares of the company under the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)

The prospectus contains the following words: Funds raised will be principally utilised to purchase land in the Coonawarra Region of South Australia, and winemaking equipment.

1. Advise Kate whether she can be an employee of the company, as well as its owner and director.

2. Advise Kate what changes have to be made if the company converts from a proprietary company to a public company. Please briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of company.

3. Advise Kate what a security is and the difference between a share and a debenture.

4. Assuming that the investors choose to purchase shares, please explain with reasons which type of share would be most suitable for these investors.

5. Is Cross Key required to provide the investors with disclosure under Chapter 6 D of the Corporations Act?

The capital raising has now been finalised and the security registered on the PPSR in the name of The Investment Group.

6. One of the new investors Tim has become very troublesome, asking difficult questions. The other shareholders are planning to squeeze Tim out by cancelling his shares at the Annual General Meeting. Advise Kate as to the likely outcome if the other shareholders attempt this.

7. Unfortunately, an outbreak of fungus has ruined the current crop. Cross Keys cash flow is now insufficient to cover its debts. Advise Kate of the consequences of continuing to trade as normal in these circumstances. What is the process of voluntary administration and what input will Kate have into the decision making process in relation to Cross Key?