Three candidates for the upcoming AWI elections - existing directors Wally Merriman and David Webster along with Dr Michelle Humphries - will equally receive the benefit of undirected voting proxies given to the chairman.
Shareholders can now vote after the despatch of the formal notice of meeting (NOM) and proxy forms today.
AWI shareholders have been provided with a copy of the independent Board Nomination Committee's recommendations on who they believe is best qualified among the eight eligible candidates to fill three vacancies on the board.
The committee identified four candidates - long-serving incumbents Messrs Merriman and Webster along with new candidates Michelle Humphries and Noel Henderson but the AWI board has not supported the election of Mr Henderson, a Victorian stud Merino breeder.
The other candidates are NSW stud Merino breeder, George Falkiner; southern NSW woolgrower, Paul Cocking; South Australian sheep producer and livestock researcher, Janelle Hocking Edwards; and NSW livestock consultant, Phil Holmes.
Some of them are already fuming over the Board Nomination Committee's selections.
AWI chairman Ms Colette Garnsey said she believed the three director candidates had the optimal skills and experience to serve on the board of the company.
"Consistent with the BNC's independent recommendations, these three candidates will provide the appropriate and necessary balance of skills required by the AWI board and will allow for appropriate succession planning and a harmonious transition of skills on the board," Ms Garnsey said.
"A board composition that is diverse in both experience and outlook is what is required to enable the company to fulfil its responsibilities to shareholders and stakeholders and to deliver the outcomes of the 2021 Strategic Plan.
"This is a democratic process and provides all AWI shareholders the right to have their say."
AWI shareholders are entitled to vote for any of the eight director candidates who are standing for election at the AGM in Sydney on November 22.
The three candidates with the most votes from shareholders, in person and by proxy, will be elected to the three vacant director positions.
There is again a resolution on the AGM agenda to restrict the size of the board to seven and the AWI has made its comments about a three-candidate vote on the assumption this resolution is passed.
To vote by proxy, shareholders must complete the online or hard copy appointment of a proxy form by selecting their proxy in section A on the form and then following the voting directions on the form.
They must complete parts D and E to ensure their proxy will be properly directed.
All completed proxies must be received by AWI no later than 10am (AEDT) on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
Shareholders can also vote in person at the AGM.