NSW: Can proxy holders speak at a strata meeting?

Question: Can proxy holders address the committee speaking about an agenda item?

During a recent AGM an ex Owner was granted a proxy by the new owner of their lot to attend. This person was granted time, under the guise of a proxy holder to address the meeting to discuss insurance. The insurance was incomplete at the time the ex Owner sold. Our Managing Agent and Chairperson insist a proxy holder has all rights of an Owner. Is this correct and can a proxy address the committee speaking about an agenda item?

Answer: Like anyone else, proxy holders are entitled to make their opinion known.

There are various limitations on proxy holders, but speaking at a meeting is not one of them.

For example, under Schedule 1, clause 25(1) of the Strata Schemes Management Act, a proxy holder can even demand a poll vote just like an owner can.

Proxy holders need to be able to speak at a meeting in order to effectively participate in debates or discussions that lead to the eventual decision making. Like anyone else, they are entitled to make their opinion known.

This post appears in Strata News #549.

Tim Sara
Sara Strata
E: tim@sarastrata.com.au
P: 04 8500 7960