• Section 1 - Audience
• Section 2 - Executive Summary
• Section 3 - Purpose
• Section 4 - Scope
• Section 5 - Principles
• Section 6 - ESG Framework
• Section 7 - Risk Management
• Section 8 - Procedures
• Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 1 - Audience

(1) This policy should be read and understood by Council members, Finance Committee members, Executive Committee members, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Financial Services staff, and executive staff of controlled entities.

Section 2 - Executive Summary

(2) The University of Newcastle’s (University) economic capital is principally invested in its current strategy in the form of property, plant and equipment and working capital requirements. In addition, a portion of economic capital is held for endowments and other restricted purposes. All remaining economic capital is discretionary capital that is available for investment in future strategy and in the University's investment portfolio.

Section 3 - Purpose

(3) This policy:

1. sets out the principles underpinning the management of the University's investment portfolio, including its real property investments;
2. supports compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
3. supports the University's goal of enhancing the overall wealth and fiscal capacity of the University; and
4. states the University's intention to incorporate Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) factors in the management of its’ investment portfolio.

Section 4 - Scope

(4) This policy applies to the investments of the University and its controlled entities. Controlled entities are included in this Policy's scope due to the impact they have on the University's consolidated financial position, financial performance, cash flows and reputation.

(5) Clauses 6(a), (11) and (26) do not apply to transactions that are entered into for the purpose of acquiring goods or services to meet operational requirements of the University and that are classified as ‘investments’ under Australian Accounting Standards. These investments will not be considered part of the Long Term or Short Term Pool for internal reporting purposes. Transactions of this nature must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Policy and its associated documents, and the University's delegations of authority.

Section 5 - Principles

(6) All amounts invested will be invested in:

1. accordance with the strategic asset allocation target sectors; and
2. a manner consistent with the Ethical Framework, Environmental Sustainability Plan and ESG framework set out in Section 6 of this Policy.

(7) Investments in defensive investments will be managed in accordance with an approved credit risk framework.

(8) Investments with the Investment Portfolio Manager or External Investment Managers may comprise both individual investment mandates and co-mingled investment vehicles and:

1. where it is feasible to do so, the University will seek to facilitate the implementation of relevant ESG considerations and to target tax efficiency where appropriate;
2. where co-mingled investment vehicles are used, the University will integrate ESG considerations into the due diligence and evaluation processes for selecting the Investment Portfolio Manager and the External Investment Manager, and for the purpose of ongoing monitoring of each manager.

(9) The University will seek to maximise the investment returns of investment assets within specified risk profiles, consistent with international best practice for institutional and endowment capital investment.

(10) The management of the investment portfolio will be consistent with the University meeting its contractual obligations and, when applicable, meeting its duties and obligations as trustee.

(11) The investment returns and risk measures will be regularly assessed against benchmark indices and return objectives, consistent with the investment Strategic asset allocation target sectors.

(12) Investment in real property will be undertaken either:

1. where it supports the University's strategic plan and statutory object (as defined in the University of Newcastle Act 1989); or
2. where it is required to be undertaken by the terms upon which the University acquired or received property.

(13) Separate target returns may be set for real property.

(14) The net investment return on amounts invested in the LTP should exceed the average percentage rate of inflation plus 3.5% to 4.5%, over a full investment cycle exceeding 5 years. The LTP investment portfolio Strategic asset allocation target sectors will comprise a mix of growth investments and defensive investments consistent with achieving its investment return objective.

(15) The net investment return on funds invested in the STP should match the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index return over 12 monthly periods. The STP investment portfolio Strategic asset allocation target sectors will consist of liquid, short term money market instruments denominated in Australian dollars, which is in accordance with the credit risk framework and consistent with meeting its investment return objective.

(16) The University will invest funds approved for capital expenditure through the budget setting process, in Internally Managed Fixed Interest (IMFI) investments. These investments should equal or exceed the Short Term Pool return and be invested within Australian money market instruments and in accordance with the credit risk framework and consistent with meeting its investment return objective.

Section 6 - ESG Framework

(17) The University believes that ESG factors including climate change and public health and safety can impact investment risk and returns and should be considered when choosing investment funds and managers.

(18) As a university committed to leadership in sustainability, the University will seek to understand any material ESG risks embedded in its investments and manage them accordingly. This includes managing any risks that could jeopardise the University's reputation.

(19) The University will only engage an Investment Portfolio Manager and External Investment Managers who will incorporate ESG factors in their investment processes.

(20) The Investment Portfolio Manager will report on and rate the ESG capabilities and performance of the investment managers, including the Investment Portfolio Manager, the External Investment Managers and co-mingled investment vehicles. This will include:

1. benchmarking managers to encourage improvement of their ESG ratings over time; and
2. measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint of the University's listed equity investments, with the aim of keeping the carbon footprint below the relevant market indices, and investing in a manner that is consistent with the University's broader sustainability commitments, and the targets underpinning the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to no more than 2 degrees centigrade by 2100.

(21) Some products or services should be excluded from the investment portfolios if they are inconsistent with the University's Principles as outlined in its Ethical Framework, provided there is no significant additional investment risk that might jeopardise the investment objective. The University will not knowingly invest in entities:

1. directly involved in the primary manufacture of complete tobacco products;
2. directly involved in the manufacture of cluster munitions, landmines, biological or chemical weapons (see the Anti-Personnel Mines Convention Act 1998 (Cwth), the 2008 international treaty, ‘Convention on Cluster Munitions’, the 1975 Convention Against Biological Weapons and the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997); or
3. that are involved in proven, severe and ongoing abuses of human rights or corrupt business practices.

(22) The University will exercise its ownership rights, including share voting rights (or similar), in a manner consistent with its ESG framework and the principles of good stewardship of the assets in which it has invested. This will include:

1. appointing a specialist proxy voting firm to assist in this function, or ensuring that its Investment Portfolio Manager has done so, where appropriate;
2. supporting the principles of good governance and a transition to a low carbon economy which contribute to long term investment value and a sustainable economy;
3. supporting disclosure by companies of any material exposure to economic, environmental, and social sustainability risks and how they manage or intend to manage those risks;
4. supporting engagement through collaborative initiatives or via its Investment Portfolio Manager or External Investment Managers with corporate entities in which the University is invested, where appropriate, on a range of ESG issues including climate change; and
5. participating, directly or through agents or collaborative engagement, in the development of policy, regulation, and standard setting.

(23) The University will look to invest in the sustainable industries and businesses of tomorrow, provided these are consistent with its risk appetite and are expected to contribute to the University's long-term investment objectives.

(24) The Investment Portfolio Manager and External Investment Managers (including, as far as possible, managers of co-mingled investment vehicles) will be required to report on ESG matters at least annually. These reports will address:

1. ESG integration, as represented by the ESG ratings;
2. any material ESG risk factors, including climate change risks, which could impact investment performance or the University's reputation;
3. compliance with the exclusions outlined in clause 20 above;
4. carbon footprint performance over time;
5. engagement activities;
6. proxy voting activities.

Section 7 - Risk Management

(25) Investments will be allocated to achieve appropriate diversification to reduce portfolio risk.

(26) Investments will be managed in accordance with the strategic asset allocation target sectors. This framework will be reviewed in consultation with the University's Investment Portfolio Manager at least every three years.

Section 8 - Procedures

(27) The Chief Financial Officer may, by written determination, determine procedures for the implementation of this Policy.

Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities