7 October 2017

A report into human rights risks in the operations and supply chains of 23 listed companies in the extractives, agricultural and medical equipment sectors rates BHP Billiton as the highest scoring company in Australia and globally, with agriculture performing poorly...

The report, released by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), was timed to coincide with annual general meetings season at a time when human rights issues are a hot topic politically and among investors.

It is part of a bigger picture of shareholder activism sweeping the market that will ramp up this AGM season as retail and super funds increasingly use their muscle to pressure companies to be more ethical...

[also refers to Rio Tinto, Newcrest, Wesfarmers, Woolworths and Graincorp]