Investors may attempt to infer a company's dividend policy by observing its profits, dividends and payout ratio over time. During the time of GFC, Cabcharge Australia Limited was under pressure to reduce or omit some of its dividend payments. Data collected from the previous annual reports of the company are shown in the following table:

Year to 30 June	Profit after tax ($M)	Dividend per share (cents)	Dividend payout ratio %
2002	16.1	10.0	68.9
2003	20.3	12.0	66.8
2004	23.1	13.75	66.7
2005	27.8	17.0	68.7
2006	38.0	23.0	67.9
2007	51.8	30.0	68.0
2008	59.0	34.0	68.5
2009	61.4	34.0	66.7
2010	57.6	34.0	71.0

1. Based on the dividend payout ratio data for the period 2002 to 2009, how would you describe Cabcharge's dividend policy?
2. When the figures for 2010 are included, how might your inferences about the company's dividend policy change in 2011?
3. Explain how the reduction in, or omission of, Cabcharges dividends may harm its shareholders.