independent assurance statement
bankmecu commissioned Net Balance Management Group Pty Ltd (Net Balance) to provide independent assurance of this Report. The Report presents bankmecu's sustainability performance over the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. bankmecu was responsible for the preparation of the Report and this statement represents the assurance provider's independent opinion. Net Balance's responsibility in performing its assurance activities is to the Board and Executive Team of bankmecu alone and in accordance with the terms of reference agreed with them. Other stakeholders should perform their own due diligence before taking any action as a result of this statement.
Net Balance independence and competency
In early 2011, Net Balance Foundation assisted bankmecu with a Social Return on Investment project to evaluate community housing initiatives and a review of integrated reporting practices in the financial sector. These projects are not yet complete and were therefore not reported during the period. Net Balance was not responsible for preparing any part of the Report. Net Balance confirms that they are not aware of any other issue that could impair their objectivity in relation to this assurance engagement.
The bankmecu assurance engagement was carried out by an experienced team of professionals led by a Lead Sustainability Assurance Practitioner (Lead CSAP). The project included personnel with expertise in environmental, social and economic performance measurement across a range of industry sectors. Net Balance is a global leader in the use of Accountability’s AA1000AS, having undertaken more than 100 assurance engagements in Australia over the past four years.
Download the Net Balance Assurance Statement 2011 (155KB PDF)