Rules

The AustCham Australia-China Business Awards recognise and celebrate the successes of Australian business in Greater China. The Awards are given to competition finalists who in the opinion of the judging panel best meet the criteria explained elsewhere.

Any company entering the Awards is expected to abide by the following set of Rules:

1. The Business Excellence Award for Large Companies will be made to an Australian company, which in the opinion of the Judging Panel, has performed with excellence in Greater China over the last year.
2. The Business Excellence SME Award will be made to a small or medium size Australian company, which in the opinion of the Judging Panel, has shown entrepreneurial excellence in Greater China over the last year.
3. The Business Innovation Award will be made to an Australian company, which in the opinion of the Judging Panel, has made a significant business breakthrough in developing and/or exploiting business opportunities in Greater China over the last year.
4. The Business Promotion Award will be made to a local company in Greater China, which in the opinion of the Judging Panel, has shown excellence in promoting and marketing an Australian product or service in the region.
5. The Business Entrepreneurial Award recognises a small or medium-sized (50+ employees) Australian business that has shown entrepreneurial excellence in Greater China over the past year.
6. The Sustainable Development Award recognises the successful implementation of sustainable development programmes and processes by an Australian company in Greater China.
7. For the purpose of these Rules:
   1. An "Australian company" means a company, wherever incorporated or based, which is substantially owned or operated by citizens or residents of Australia. In determining this, the Judging Panel will take into consideration, amongst other factors, the percentage of Australian ownership, listing on the Australian Stock Exchange and level of Australian management.
   2. A "local company" means a company, wherever incorporated or based, which carries on business in Greater China and which is substantially owned by citizens or residents of Greater China.
   3. An "Australian product or service" means a product developed or produced, or a service provided by an Australian company;
   4. "Greater China" means Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Macau.
   5. A "Large company" means one that employs over 100 people.
   6. An "SME" means one that employs less than 100 employees.
8. Any company may nominate itself by filling in the Nomination Form online or by sending a letter to the Australia-China Business Awards Committee c/- The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, 4/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. All forms can be downloaded or completed at www.austcham.com.hk. Alternatively, you can download forms from any of our partner organisations.
9. The Australian Business Awards Advisory Group will at least consist of representatives from The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the AustCham Chief Executive.
10. The members of the Judging Panel will be selected by the AustCham Australia-China Business Awards Advisory Group in consultation with the supporting chambers of commerce. The Advisory Group, in consultation with the supporting chambers of commerce, may add, remove or replace members of the Judging Panel where necessary.
11. The Judging Panel may consider a nominee in a category other than that in respect of which it has nominated. Any decision of the Judging Panel with respect to categorisation of a nominee will be final and not subject to review.
12. In making decisions concerning Awards, the Judging Panel shall take into account what in its discretion it considers to be all relevant factors but shall have particular regard to financial viability, growth and success, and internal organisation. Nominees shall be required to confirm that all information provided by them in connection with the Awards is true and accurate in all respects. Validation of information provided will be undertaken prior to commencement of judging. Any nomination found to contain false or misleading information will be disqualified. The Judging Panel will use its best endeavours to:
    1. fairly and reasonably consider any other material and information provided to it, in addition to that provided by nominees, that it believes is relevant to the Award category and Judging Criteria; and
    2. take such action as it believes necessary to verify information submitted by nominees;
    3. all decisions of the Judging Panel shall be final and not subject to review.
13. The Awards will be presented at an event to be held on Thursday 6 November 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
14. A list of nominating companies and organisations received may be posted on the AustCham Australia-China Business Awards Website.
15. Sponsoring and promoting partners of the AustCham Australia-China Business Awards are not eligible to enter.
16. The AustCham Australian Business Awards Committee, in consultation with the supporting Chambers of Commerce, may change these rules at any times where necessary.
17. These Rules should be read in conjunction with the attached material (the Judging Criteria and the Questionnaire Instruction Sheet).