Articles by Michael Gorton

Practical Steps to Good Governance and Risk Management

For us tragic Essendon Football Club supporters, good governance is something that cannot be ignored. Governance and risk management go hand-in-hand, and provide a framework to ensure that an organisation meets its legal obligations, manages its risks and ensures appropriate accountability throughout the organisation. Some practical steps which a Board might consider as part of this framework include: Board Charter A Charter can set out the duties, responsibilities and expectations of the Board, the Chief Executive and the executive staff of an organisation.

Governance and Legal Risk Management

The terms governance, clinical governance and legal risk are much bandied about but hold different meanings for different people. Some of the possible interpretations include:- Minimising Liability – particularly steps to reduce liability and exposure. Accountability – improving accountability and transparency within organisations, particularly decision making. Risk management – dealing with legal risk, financial risk and business risk within an enterprise. Compliance – meeting statutory, regulatory and other requirements. In the usual context legal risk management relates to how boards can be satisfied that risks and liabilities within an enterprise are being addressed.