Lend Lease banking on Abbott delivering over infrastructure
The company is also casting its eye on overseas work again, after scaling back its proportion of earnings from overseas to 25 per cent since the global financial crisis.
Lend Lease's $37.4 billion pipeline of work was the biggest in its 50-year history, shareholders were told at its annual meeting on Friday.
"We are encouraged by the federal election of the Coalition government on a platform of infrastructure growth as this means a strong focus on major projects and on the funding model for those projects," said chairman David Crawford. "This makes it a very attractive space in which to play."
Chief executive Steve McCann said he wanted to focus on pursuing new development opportunities in Asia, where growth was strong.
The company also would cautiously increase its US portfolio, where residential construction was lifting, he said.
"We've significantly repositioned the business back to our home market in the last few years," said Mr McCann. "We are now aiming to derive circa 60 per cent to 70 per cent of our income from Australia and 30 to 40 per cent from overseas."
Shareholders approved the company's executive pay policy, a year after delivering a first strike against its remuneration plan.
However, the board faced hostile questions from shareholders accusing it of unethical behaviour and culpability related to losses incurred by investors from a $500 million collapse of a retirement home owner, plus an FBI fraud case investigation in the US.
Mr Crawford argued the events that led to the Prime Retirement and Aged Care Property Trust's collapse occurred before Lend Lease bought management rights of the company.
Environmental activists also questioned the board about plans to build the Abbot Point coal port close to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
Mr Crawford said no decision had been made yet on the project but he defended the company's record on sustainability issues.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Lend Lease is focusing on major infrastructure projects, encouraged by the federal government's emphasis on infrastructure growth. They see this as an attractive opportunity to expand their work in this sector.
Lend Lease is cautiously increasing its US portfolio, particularly in residential construction, and is also pursuing new development opportunities in Asia, where growth is strong.
Lend Lease has repositioned its business to focus more on the Australian market, aiming to derive 60% to 70% of its income from Australia and 30% to 40% from overseas.
Shareholders approved the company's executive pay policy, despite previous concerns that led to a first strike against its remuneration plan.
Lend Lease faced hostile questions from shareholders about alleged unethical behavior and losses from a $500 million collapse of a retirement home owner, as well as an FBI fraud case investigation in the US.
Lend Lease's chairman defended the company's record on sustainability issues, although no decision has been made yet regarding the controversial Abbot Point coal port project near the Great Barrier Reef.
Lend Lease's chairman argued that the events leading to the collapse occurred before Lend Lease acquired management rights of the company.
The $37.4 billion pipeline of work is the largest in Lend Lease's 50-year history, indicating a strong focus on expanding their infrastructure projects and capitalizing on growth opportunities.
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