Document:

Exhibit 4.9

 

Deed of access, insurance and indemnity

 

Sundance Energy Australia Limited (Company)

(Director)

 

Indemnity Nelson

 

 

Deed of access, insurance and indemnity

 

	
Details
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Agreed terms
    	
 
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.
    	
 
    	
Defined   terms & interpretation
    	
 
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.1
    	
 
    	
Defined terms
    	
 
    	
5
    
	
1.2
    	
 
    	
Interpretation
    	
 
    	
6
    
	
1.3
    	
 
    	
Headings
    	
 
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.
    	
 
    	
Indemnity
    	
 
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.1
    	
 
    	
Indemnities
    	
 
    	
7
    
	
2.2
    	
 
    	
Limitation on indemnity
    	
 
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.
    	
 
    	
Claim by   Director
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.1
    	
 
    	
Notification by Director
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
3.2
    	
 
    	
Defence of legal action
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
3.3
    	
 
    	
Obligations of Director
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
3.4
    	
 
    	
Reimbursement
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
3.5
    	
 
    	
Settlement of a Claim
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
3.6
    	
 
    	
Failure to comply
    	
 
    	
9
    
	
3.7
    	
 
    	
Legal representation
    	
 
    	
9
    
	
3.8
    	
 
    	
Effect of clauses 3.2 and   3.3
    	
 
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.
    	
 
    	
Advances and   payments
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.1
    	
 
    	
Indemnity before expense incurred
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
4.2
    	
 
    	
Payment when Director   becomes liable
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
4.3
    	
 
    	
Advances to Director
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
4.4
    	
 
    	
Repayment by Director
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
4.5
    	
 
    	
Reimbursement of Director
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
4.6
    	
 
    	
Interest
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.
    	
 
    	
Insurance
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.1
    	
 
    	
Obligation to insure
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
5.2
    	
 
    	
Terms and conditions of   D&O Policy
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
5.3
    	
 
    	
Notice to Director
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
5.4
    	
 
    	
Extension of insurance
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
5.5
    	
 
    	
Copies of insurance policies
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
5.6
    	
 
    	
Certificate of Currency
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.
    	
 
    	
Access to   Board Documents
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.1
    	
 
    	
Right to inspect Board   Documents
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
6.2
    	
 
    	
Request for access to Board   Documents
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.3
    	
 
    	
Access to Director
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.4
    	
 
    	
Obligations of Company
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.5
    	
 
    	
Right to copy Board   Documents
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.6
    	
 
    	
Return of documents
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.7
    	
 
    	
Privileged Documents
    	
 
    	
13
    
	
6.8
    	
 
    	
Waiver of privilege
    	
 
    	
14
    
	
6.9
    	
 
    	
Limitation on access to   Privileged Documents
    	
 
    	
14
    
	
6.10
    	
 
    	
Director’s obligations
    	
 
    	
14
    
							

 

	
Minter Ellison | Ref: AMH 55770/1
    	
 
    	
Deed of access,   insurance and indemnity
    

 

2

 

	
6.11
    	
 
    	
Access permitted under   Corporations Act
    	
 
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.
    	
 
    	
Confidentiality
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.1
    	
 
    	
Obligation of   confidentiality
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
7.2
    	
 
    	
Relief
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
7.3
    	
 
    	
Limitation
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
7.4
    	
 
    	
Survival of Confidentiality   Obligations
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.
    	
 
    	
Taxation
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.1
    	
 
    	
Taxation
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
8.2
    	
 
    	
GST
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
9.
    	
 
    	
Notices and   other communications
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
9.1
    	
 
    	
Service of notices
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
9.2
    	
 
    	
Effective on receipt
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
10.
    	
 
    	
Document   priority
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.
    	
 
    	
Miscellaneous
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.1
    	
 
    	
Alterations
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
11.2
    	
 
    	
Approvals and consents
    	
 
    	
16
    
	
11.3
    	
 
    	
Assignment
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.4
    	
 
    	
Costs
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.5
    	
 
    	
Stamp duty
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.6
    	
 
    	
Survival
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.7
    	
 
    	
Counterparts
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.8
    	
 
    	
No merger
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.9
    	
 
    	
Entire agreement
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.10
    	
 
    	
Further action
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.11
    	
 
    	
Severability
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.12
    	
 
    	
Waiver
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.13
    	
 
    	
Relationship
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.14
    	
 
    	
Announcements
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
11.15
    	
 
    	
Governing law and jurisdiction
    	
 
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signing page
    	
 
    	
19
    

 

3

 

Details

 

Date

 

Parties

 

	
Name
    	
 
    	
Sundance Energy Australia   Limited
    
	
ACN
    	
 
    	
112 202 883
    
	
Short form name
    	
 
    	
Company
    
	
Notice details
    	
 
    	
32 Beulah Road  
    Norwood SA 5067
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Facsimile: 
   Attention: 
    	
(08) 8363 0388  
    Company Secretary
    

 

	
Name
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Short form name
    	
 
    	
Director
    
	
Notice details
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Background

 

A                                    The Company Constitution contains certain indemnities for Officers of the Company.

 

B                                    The Company has agreed to:

 

(i)                                   indemnify the Director to the extent permitted by law against certain liabilities and legal costs incurred by the Director as an Officer of the Company;

 

(ii)                                maintain, and pay the premium on, a D&O Policy in respect of the Director; and

 

(iii)                             provide the Director with access to the board papers and other documents provided or available to the Director as an officer of the Company,

 

both during the time that the Director holds office and for a fifteen year period after the Director ceases to be an officer of the Company, on the terms and conditions contained in this Deed.

 

4

 

Agreed terms

 

1.                                   Defined terms & interpretation

 

1.1                            Defined terms

 

In this Deed:

 

Authorised Person means any person authorised in writing by the Director and approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

Board means, as the context requires:

 

(a)                                    the board of directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(b)                                    any committee of the board of directors of the Company.

 

Board Documents means the Documents recording, providing or disseminating information for the Board.

 

Books has the meaning given in section 9 of the Corporations Act.

 

Business Day means:

 

(a)                               for receiving a notice under clause 9, a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday or bank holiday in the place where the notice is sent; and

 

(b)                               for all other purposes, a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, bank holiday or public holiday in Adelaide, South Australia.

 

Business Hours means the hours between 9.00am and 5.00pm on a Business Day.

 

Claim means any:

 

(a)                                legal proceeding (whether civil or criminal), administrative proceeding, arbitral proceeding, mediation or other form of alternative dispute resolution (whether or not held in conjunction with any legal, administrative or arbitral proceeding); or

 

(b)                                investigation or inquiry by any regulatory authority or external administrator relating to or connected with any actual or alleged act or omission of the Director as an Officer of the Company; or

 

(c)                                 any written or oral threat, complaint, demand or other circumstance that might reasonably cause the Director to believe that any proceedings, investigation or inquiry referred to in paragraph (a) above will be initiated.

 

Company Constitution means the constitution of the Company as defined in section 9 of the Corporations Act.

 

Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

 

D&O Policy means a contract or contracts:

 

(a)                               insuring against liability incurred by a person in the person’s capacity as director or Officer of a body corporate; and

 

(b)                               allowing the body corporate to obtain reimbursement for any claims paid by it to a director or Officer of the body corporate under an indemnity.

 

Document has the meaning set out in Chapter 9 of the Corporations Act.

 

5

 

Indemnities means the indemnities granted to the Director by the Company under clause 2.

 

Information means all or any part of information contained in or related to a transaction of the Company, a Board Document or a discussion at a meeting of the Company.

 

Interest means interest charged by the Company in accordance with clause 4.6 on moneys advanced to the Director under clause 4.3.

 

Liabilities means all liabilities, losses, damages, outgoings, costs and expenses of whatever description.

 

Notified Claim has the meaning given in clause 3.1.

 

Officer has the meaning given in section 9 of the Corporations Act.

 

Permitted Purpose has the meaning given in clause 6.1.

 

Privileged Document means any document in respect of which any form of privilege applies:

 

(a)                                    solely in favour of the Company;

 

(b)                                    jointly in favour of the Company and the Director; or

 

(c)                                     jointly in favour of the Director and one or more other directors of the Company.

 

Related Body Corporate has the meaning given to it by section 9 of the Corporations Act.

 

Relevant Costs has the meaning given in clause 4.4.

 

Relevant Period means the period:

 

(a)                                    beginning on the date of this Deed; and

 

(b)                                    ending on the twelfth anniversary of the date on which both of the following conditions are first satisfied:

 

(i)                                           the Director has ceased to be an officer of the Company; and

 

(ii)                                        the Director has ceased to be an officer of all Related Bodies Corporate.

 

Requested Documents has the meaning given in clause 6.2(b).

 

Subsidiary has the meaning set out in Division 6, Part 1.2 of the Corporations Act.

 

1.2                            Interpretation

 

In this Deed, except where the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                               the singular includes the plural and vice versa, and a gender includes other genders;

 

(b)                               another grammatical form of a defined word or expression has a corresponding meaning;

 

(c)                                a reference to a clause, paragraph, schedule or annexure is to a clause or paragraph of, or schedule or annexure to, this Deed, and a reference to this Deed includes any schedule or annexure;

 

(d)                               a reference to a document or instrument includes the document or instrument as novated, altered, supplemented or replaced from time to time;

 

(e)                                a reference to A$, $A, dollar or $ is to Australian currency;

 

(f)                                 a reference to time is to Adelaide, South Australia time;

 

(g)                                a reference to a party is to a party to this Deed, and a reference to a party to a document includes the party’s executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns and substitutes;

 

6

 

(h)                               a reference to a person includes a natural person, partnership, body corporate, association, governmental or local authority or agency or other entity;

 

(i)                                   a reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them;

 

(j)                                  a word or expression defined in the Corporations Act has the meaning given to it in the Corporations Act;

 

(k)                               the meaning of general words is not limited by specific examples introduced by including, for example or similar expressions;

 

(l)                                   any agreement, representation, warranty or indemnity by two or more parties (including where two or more persons are included in the same defined term) binds them jointly and severally;

 

(m)                           any agreement, representation, warranty or indemnity in favour of two or more parties (including where two or more persons are included in the same defined term) is for the benefit of them jointly and severally;

 

(n)                               a rule of construction does not apply to the disadvantage of a party because the party was responsible for the preparation of this Deed or any part of it; and

 

(o)                               if a day on or by which an obligation must be performed or an event must occur is not a Business Day, the obligation must be performed or the event must occur on or by the next Business Day.

 

1.3                            Headings

 

Headings are for ease of reference only and do not affect interpretation.

 

2.                                   Indemnity

 

2.1                            Indemnities

 

To the extent permitted by law and subject to clause 2.2, the Company indemnifies the Director against:

 

(a)                               any and all Liabilities (other than for legal costs of a kind referred to in clause 2.1(b)); and

 

(b)                               any reasonable legal costs and expenses incurred by the Director in defending an action for a Liability,

 

incurred by the Director as an Officer or former Officer of the Company.

 

2.2                            Limitation on indemnity

 

The Indemnities:

 

(a)                               have effect from the date that the Director became a director of the Company;

 

(b)                               continue to have full force and effect even if the Director ceases to be an Officer of the Company before a claim is made by the Director under this Deed; and

 

(c)                                apply to any Liability or legal costs incurred by the Director as an Officer of the Company only if and to the extent that the Director is not indemnified against that Liability or those legal costs:

 

(i)                                  by the Company; or

 

(ii)                               under an insurance policy, other than the D&O Policy maintained in accordance with clause 5.1.

 

7

 

3.                                   Claim by Director

 

3.1                            Notification by Director

 

The Director must, as soon as reasonably practicable, advise the Company in writing on the Director becoming aware of any Claim that may give rise to a right under this Deed (‘Notified Claim’).

 

3.2                            Defence of legal action

 

Subject to clauses 3.7 and 3.8, where there is a Notified Claim, the Company may:

 

(a)                               assume conduct of the defence of the Notified Claim;

 

(b)                               institute a cross claim or counter claim to the Notified Claim;

 

(c)                                subject to clause 3.5, settle the Notified Claim;

 

(d)                               agree to any form of alternative dispute resolution in relation to the Notified Claim; and

 

(e)                                retain lawyers to act on behalf of both the Director and the Company in relation to the Notified Claim.

 

3.3                            Obligations of Director

 

Subject to clauses 3.7 and 3.8, where there is a Notified Claim, the Director must:

 

(a)                               allow the Company, in the Company’s discretion, to take control of the conduct of the Notified Claim;

 

(b)                               allow the Company, in the Company’s discretion, to retain lawyers on behalf of both the Director and the Company;

 

(c)                                take such action or provide such information as the Company may reasonably require;

 

(d)                               assist the Company to the best of the Director’s abilities in any action the Company takes to avoid, dispute, defend or appeal any legal action connected with a Notified Claim;

 

(e)                                not admit any liability for or settle any action connected to a Notified Claim without the prior consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); and

 

(f)                                 keep the Company fully informed in relation to the conduct of any Notified Claim.

 

3.4                            Reimbursement

 

(a)                               Except to the extent prohibited by law from so doing, the Company must reimburse the Director for actual costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Director in taking action or providing assistance or information at the request, or under the direction, of the Company under clause 3.3.

 

(b)                               Despite any other provision of this Deed, the Company is under no obligation to reimburse the Director for any costs and expenses incurred by the Director in relation to a Claim that is not a Notified Claim.

 

3.5                            Settlement of a Claim

 

(a)                               Before the Company or its insurers settle or compromise a Notified Claim, the Company must (or must ensure that its insurers):

 

(i)                                  give the Director notice of its intention to do so;

 

(ii)                               provide to the Director the proposed terms of settlement or compromise; and

 

8

 

(iii)                            allow the Director a reasonable period (to be specified in the notice) in which the Director may object to the proposed terms of settlement or compromise and declare the Director’s intention to assume conduct of the Claim.

 

(b)                               If, within the period allowed under clause 3.5(a)(iii) in respect of a Notified Claim, the Director gives notice that the Director intends to assume conduct of a Notified Claim, the:

 

(i)                                  Company must (or must ensure that its insurers) relinquish to the Director the control of the conduct of the Notified Claim (to the extent that it relates to the Director);and

 

(ii)                               liability of the Company under this Deed in respect of that Notified Claim will not exceed the amount for which the Notified Claim could have been compromised or settled at the time notice was given to the Director under clause 3.5(a) in respect of that Notified Claim together with costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Director up to that time.

 

3.6                            Failure to comply

 

Despite the Indemnities, if the Director fails to perform an obligation required under clause 3.3 to the material prejudice of the Company in respect of a Notified Claim, the Company will be under no obligation to indemnify the Director in respect of the Notified Claim.

 

3.7                            Legal representation

 

Nothing in this clause 3 prevents the Director from obtaining independent legal advice or engaging separate legal or other representation in connection with the conduct of a Notified Claim but any costs or expenses incurred by the Director in so doing will be paid or reimbursed by the Company only to the extent that those expenses are otherwise payable by the Company under this Deed and were:

 

(a)                               incurred prior to the Company (or its insurers) assuming conduct of the Notified Claim;

 

(b)                               incurred with the prior written authority of the Company (which must not be unreasonably withheld); or

 

(c)                                reasonable and incurred in circumstances where there is a reasonable likelihood that the interests of the Director and the Company would conflict were the same lawyers to act on behalf of both the Company and the Director.

 

3.8                            Effect of clauses 3.2 and 3.3

 

(a)                               Nothing in clauses 3.2 or 3.3 permits the Company, or requires the Director, to take any action or do anything (including giving any consent) in respect of a Notified Claim that would be likely to cause significant harm to the reputation of the Director, except where the Company determines in good faith and on reasonable grounds that the interests of the Company or the conduct of that Claim would be materially prejudiced unless the Company or the Director (as the case may be) takes that action or does that thing.

 

(b)                               Clauses 3.2 or 3.3 do not apply where:

 

(i)                                  the Notified Claim arises from a Claim by the Company against the Director; or

 

(ii)                               where each of the Director and the Company are defendants or respondents to a Claim and in the reasonable opinion of the Director’s lawyers there is an actual or potential conflict of interest between the Director and the Company in respect of the conduct of the Notified Claim.

 

9

 

4.                                   Advances and payments

 

4.1                            Indemnity before expense incurred

 

Despite any other provision of this Deed, it is not necessary for the Director to make any payment before enforcing the Director’s rights under the Indemnities.

 

4.2                            Payment when Director becomes liable

 

If the Director becomes liable to pay any amount for which the Director is or is entitled to be indemnified under this Deed, the Company must pay that amount to the person to whom the amount is due within 10 Business Days after the date on which the Director provides evidence satisfactory to the Company that the Director is liable to pay that amount and is entitled to be indemnified under this Deed.

 

4.3                            Advances to Director

 

Subject to clause 4.4, the Company must, within 10 Business Days after receiving a request from the Director to do so, and on such terms (including Interest) as the Company thinks reasonable in the circumstances, advance moneys to the Director to enable the Director to pay, or to reimburse the Director for, any legal costs reasonably incurred by the Director (before the outcome of the action is known) in defending an action for a Liability incurred or allegedly incurred by the Director as an officer of the Company (including any such legal costs incurred after the Director ceases to be an officer of the Company).

 

4.4                            Repayment by Director

 

If the Company advances moneys to the Director under clause 4.3 or otherwise pays or reimburses the Director (or any other person) in accordance with this Deed in respect of a Liability, costs or expenses (‘Relevant Costs’) incurred by the Director in relation to a Claim, then if, upon the final determination of the Claim (whether as a result of the settlement, withdrawal or final adjudication of the Claim or otherwise), the Relevant Costs become costs in respect of which the Director is not entitled to be indemnified under the Indemnities, the Director must, within 10 Business Days after the outcome of the Claim is finally determined:

 

(a)                               repay to the Company the amount advanced or paid by the Company in respect of the Relevant Costs;

 

(b)                               repay to the Company any payments received by the Director under the D&O Policy maintained under clause 5.1 or any other insurance policy;

 

(c)                                where the Relevant Costs were advanced to the Director under clause 4.3, pay to the Company the Interest (if any) accrued on any advance in accordance with the terms of the advance determined by the Company under clause 4.3; and

 

(d)                               the Company will be under no obligation to pay or reimburse the Director for any further liability or legal costs incurred by the Director in respect of, or arising out of, that Claim.

 

4.5                           Reimbursement of Director

 

If the Company advances moneys to the Director under clause 4.3 or otherwise pays or reimburses the Director (or any other person) in accordance with this Deed in respect of Relevant Costs incurred by the Director in relation to a Claim, then if, upon the final determination of the Claim (whether as a result of the settlement, withdrawal or final adjudication of the Claim or otherwise):

 

(a)                               the Relevant Costs become costs in respect of which the Director is entitled to be indemnified under the Indemnities, the Director will not be required to pay to the Company the Relevant Costs;

 

10

 

(b)                               no Interest will have been accrued in respect of the Relevant Costs; and

 

(c)                                if the Director also receives payment in respect of some or all of those Relevant Costs under any of the following:

 

(i)                                  the D&O Policy maintained under clause 5.1 or any other insurance policy; or

 

(ii)                               an indemnity given by the Company,

 

then the Director must, within 10 Business Days after receiving payment under the relevant insurance policy or indemnity, pay to the Company an amount equal to the amount recovered by the Director under the insurance policy or indemnity in respect of the Relevant Costs. .

 

4.6                            Interest

 

(a)                               The Company may charge Interest on any money advanced to the Director under clause 4.3, only in the event that any amount advanced in respect of any Liability or legal costs becomes an amount in respect of which the Director is not entitled to be indemnified under the Indemnities.

 

(b)                               Any Interest charged by the Company, shall:

 

(i)                                  be calculated daily from the date the money was advanced until the date of repayment; and

 

(ii)                               be equal to the rate (on the day payment is due), quoted by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia on unsecured overdraft accommodation over $100,000.

 

5.                                   Insurance

 

5.1                            Obligation to insure

 

To the extent permitted by law, the Company must at all times during the Relevant Period, maintain and pay the premium on a D&O Policy that complies with clause 5.2.

 

5.2                            Terms and conditions of D&O Policy

 

The D&O Policy must:

 

(a)                               cover (but only to the extent required by clause 5.2(b)) Liabilities incurred by the Director (or the Company under the Indemnities) in respect of, or arising out of, actual or alleged acts or omissions of the Director that occurred while the Director was an Officer of the Company;

 

(b)                               be for an amount and on terms and conditions (including premium, insuring clauses, exclusions and excess amounts) as are appropriate and available in the market for a reasonably prudent company in the Company’s circumstances acting fairly; and

 

(c)                                without limiting clause 5.1(b) and at any given time from time to time, be on terms and conditions that, taken as a whole, are not materially less favourable to the Director than:

 

(i)                                  the Company had in place for the Director immediately prior to the Director ceasing to be a Director of the Company; or

 

(ii)                               the Company has in place in respect of any other director or former director of the Company.

 

5.3                            Notice to Director

 

The Company must notify the Director immediately on the Company becoming aware that:

 

11

 

(a)                               the D&O Policy required to be maintained under clause 5.1 has been cancelled or not renewed; or

 

(b)                               there is a material diminution in the terms of the D&O Policy maintained under clause 5.1 for the Director.

 

5.4                            Extension of insurance

 

Prior to the expiry of the Relevant Period, the Director may, by written notice to the Company, request that the Company continues to maintain and pay the premium on the D&O Policy required under clause 5.1 for a longer period provided that the Director agrees to:

 

(a)                               reimburse the Company for such premiums as are payable in respect of the period after the expiry of the Relevant Period; and

 

(b)                               indemnify the Company against any reasonable costs associated with maintaining the D&O Policy for that Director in respect of the period after the expiry of the Relevant Period.

 

5.5                            Copies of insurance policies

 

At the request of the Director, the Company must provide the Director with a copy of:

 

(a)                               the policy of insurance; and

 

(b)                               the certificate of insurance,

 

in respect of the D&O Policy maintained in accordance with clause 5.1 at the time of the request, except where such disclosure would involve a breach of the terms and conditions of the policy.

 

5.6                            Certificate of Currency

 

The Company must produce to the Director, a copy of the certificate of currency with respect to the D&O Policy described in clause 5.1:

 

(a)                               each time that D&O Policy is renewed; and

 

(b)                               within 21 days of receipt of a written request from the Director for a copy of that certificate.

 

6.                                   Access to Board Documents

 

6.1                            Right to inspect Board Documents

 

The Company must permit the Director to inspect and copy, during Business Hours, those Board Documents of the Company as are then in the possession or control of the Company for any of the following purposes (‘Permitted Purpose’):

 

(a)                               to discharge the Director’s duties as an Officer of the Company; or

 

(b)                               in connection with a Notified Claim commenced or arising during the Relevant Period:

 

(i)                                  to which the Director is subject or is a party;

 

(ii)                               that the Director is directly involved in;

 

(iii)                            that the Director proposes in good faith to bring; or

 

(iv)                           that the Director believes on reasonable grounds will be brought against the Director; or

 

(c)                                any other purpose in respect of which the Company gives its written consent.

 

12

 

6.2                            Request for access to Board Documents

 

A request for access to Board Documents of the Company must:

 

(a)                               be in writing addressed and given to the Company;

 

(b)                               include particulars of the Board Documents required by the Director (‘Requested Documents’); and

 

(c)                                state the purpose for which the Requested Documents are required, which must be for a Permitted Purpose.

 

6.3                            Access to Director

 

On receiving a request for access under clause 6.2, the Company must give the Director (or any Authorised Person) access to the Requested Documents so that they are available for inspection and copying as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the request but no later than 10 Business Days after receipt of the request.

 

6.4                            Obligations of Company

 

The Company must use its reasonable efforts to keep:

 

(a)                               all Board Documents of the Company safe and secure from damage; and

 

(b)                               at least one copy of the Board Documents of the Company,

 

for the Relevant Period and for a longer period if any of the Board Documents are relevant to any Claim notified to the Company by the Director that has not been concluded during the Relevant Period.

 

6.5                            Right to copy Board Documents

 

Where the Director obtains access to Board Documents under this clause 6, the Director will be entitled to make copies (at the Director’s cost) of those Board Documents (but only for a Permitted Purpose).

 

6.6                            Return of documents

 

The Director:

 

(a)                               subject to clause 6.6(b), on ceasing to be a director of the Company, must deliver to the company secretary of the Company any Board Documents of the Company that the Director holds;

 

(b)                               may retain any specific Board Document necessary for use in connection with any Notified Claim referred to in clause 6.1(b); and

 

(c)                                must return any Board Document and copies retained under clause 6.6(b) or obtained under clause 6.1 to the company secretary for destruction as soon as possible after they are no longer required for use in connection with any Notified Claim referred to in clause 6.1(b).

 

6.7                           Privileged Documents

 

If a Director requests access to any Board Documents which is or refers to a Privileged Document, the Company must notify the Director:

 

(a)                               that privilege exists; and

 

(b)                               of the general nature of acts and omissions that could cause that privilege to be waived or lost.

 

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6.8                            Waiver of privilege

 

(a)                               Subject to clause 6.8(b), if a Director requests access to a Board Document that is or refers to a Privileged Document, the Company must waive its claim to such privilege but only if the loss of the right to claim privilege in respect of that Privileged Document would not, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, result in material prejudice to the Company.

 

(b)                               Where clause 6.8(a) requires a waiver to be given or procured by the Company, that waiver is required to be given or procured only to the extent necessary to enable the Director to:

 

(i)                                  have access to the Privileged Document;

 

(ii)                               disclose the Information in the Privileged Document in circumstances permitted under clause 7.2; and

 

(iii)                            use the Privileged Document for the Permitted Purpose specified in the notice given by the Director under clause 6.2(c).

 

6.9                            Limitation on access to Privileged Documents

 

Despite any other provision of this clause 6 other than clause 6.11, if the giving of access to a Board Document under this clause 6 to a Director:

 

(a)                               would, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, jeopardise the ability of the Company to claim legal privilege in respect of a Privileged Document; and

 

(b)                               the loss by the Company of the ability to claim such privilege would, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, result in material prejudice to the Company,

 

then the Company may:

 

(c)                                impose such conditions on the Director’s access to that Board Document as it determines, in good faith, are appropriate to ensure that the ability of the Company to claim privilege in respect of that Board Document is not jeopardised by such access; or

 

(d)                               if the Company determines in good faith and acting reasonably that it is not possible to ensure, by the imposition of conditions, that the ability of the Company to claim privilege in respect of that Board Document would not be jeopardised by such access, refuse to permit the Director to have access to that Board Document.

 

6.10                     Director’s obligations

 

(a)                               Without limiting the Director’s right to obtain access to Privileged Documents under clause 6 or to disclose Information under clause 7, the Director must not waive any privilege of the Company nor do or omit to do anything that will cause that privilege to be waived or lost, without the prior consent of the Company.

 

(b)                               Where the Director obtains access to Board Documents subject to conditions imposed by the Company under clause 6.9, the Director must comply with those conditions.

 

6.11                     Access permitted under Corporations Act

 

Despite any other provision of this Deed, if and to the extent that the Corporations Act gives the Director the right to inspect a Board Document that is, or refers to, a Privileged Document, the Company must allow the Director to inspect that Board Document in accordance with the Corporations Act.

 

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7.                                   Confidentiality

 

7.1                            Obligation of confidentiality

 

Without limiting the Director’s duties to the Company, the Director must keep all Information confidential.

 

7.2                            Relief

 

The obligation of confidentiality set out in clause 7.1 will cease to apply to:

 

(a)                               Information which is or comes into the public domain (otherwise than as a result of a breach of this Deed);

 

(b)                               Information in respect of which disclosure is required by law;

 

(c)                                disclosure of Information where disclosure is reasonably necessary for the purposes of bone fide court proceedings that arise out of the Director’s involvement with the Company if one of the following conditions has been met:

 

(i)                                  the Company has waived any claim to privilege in respect of all or some of that Information;

 

(ii)                               disclosure will not cause the Company’s right to claim privilege in regard to any other Information to be waived;

 

(iii)                            the Company is not entitled to claim privilege in respect of some or all of that Information; or

 

(iv)                           the proposed disclosure (whether subject to conditions or not) would not jeopardise the Company’s right to claim privilege;

 

(d)                               disclosure in confidence to legal, financial or accounting advisers to the Director for the purposes of obtaining advice; or

 

(e)                                disclosure for the purposes of the discharge of the duties of the Director as an Officer of the Company.

 

7.3                            Limitation

 

If the Director is permitted to disclose Information under clause 7.2, the Director must:

 

(a)                               disclose only the minimum Information reasonably necessary in the circumstances;

 

(b)                               disclose the Information only to persons who have a need to know and only to the extent that they have a need to know; and

 

(c)                                comply with any conditions imposed by the Company under clause 6.9(c).

 

7.4                            Survival of Confidentiality Obligations

 

The obligation of confidentiality set out in this clause 7 will continue to apply after the termination of this Deed.

 

8.                                   Taxation

 

8.1                            Taxation

 

If for any reason any governmental authority imposes any tax on any sum paid to the Director under the Indemnities, then the Company must pay to the Director such additional amount as is required to ensure that the total amount paid, less any tax imposed on such amount, is equal to the amount that would otherwise be payable under the Indemnities.

 

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8.2                            GST

 

(a)                               In addition to any payment by the Company to the Director under the Indemnities, the Company must pay the Director an amount equal to any GST that is or becomes payable by the Director on the supply for which the indemnity payment is made, provided that no additional amount is payable on account of GST under this clause until the Director has issued a tax invoice to the Company for that supply.

 

(b)                               Any payment by the Company to the Director for a loss, cost or expense incurred by the Director must be reduced by the amount of any input tax credit to which the Director is entitled for that loss, cost or expense.

 

(c)                                Words or expressions used in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 have the same meaning in this clause 8.2.

 

9.                                   Notices and other communications

 

9.1                            Service of notices

 

A notice, demand, consent, approval or communication under this Deed (Notice) must be:

 

(a)                               in writing and in English directed to the recipient’s address for notices specified in the Details, as varied by any notice; and

 

(b)                               hand delivered or sent by prepaid post or facsimile to that address.

 

9.2                            Effective on receipt

 

A Notice given in accordance with clause 9.1 takes effect when received (or at a later time specified in it), and is taken to be received:

 

(a)                               if hand delivered, on delivery;

 

(b)                               if sent by prepaid post, two Business Days after the date of posting (or seven Business Days after the date of posting if posted to or from outside Australia);

 

(c)                                if sent by facsimile, when the sender’s facsimile system generates a message confirming successful transmission of the entire Notice unless, within eight Business Hours after the transmission, the recipient informs the sender that it has not received the entire Notice,

 

but if the delivery, receipt or transmission is not on a Business Day or is after 5.00pm on a Business Day, the Notice is taken to be received at 9.00am on the Business Day after that delivery, receipt or transmission.

 

10.                            Document priority

 

If there is an inconsistency between this Deed and the Company Constitution, to the extent permitted by law, the provisions of this Deed will prevail.

 

11.                            Miscellaneous

 

11.1                     Alterations

 

This Deed may be altered only in writing signed by each party.

 

11.2                     Approvals and consents

 

Except where this Deed expressly states otherwise, a party may, in its discretion, give conditionally or unconditionally or withhold any approval or consent under this Deed.

 

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11.3                     Assignment

 

A party may only assign this Deed or a right under this Deed with the prior written consent of each other party.

 

11.4                     Costs

 

Each party must pay its own costs of negotiating, preparing and executing this Deed.

 

11.5                     Stamp duty

 

Any stamp duty, duties or other taxes of a similar nature (including fines, penalties and interest) in connection with this Deed or a transaction contemplated by this Deed, must be paid by the Company.

 

11.6                     Survival

 

Each indemnity in this Deed is independent and survives termination of this Deed.  Any other provision by its nature intended to survive termination of this Deed survives termination of this Deed.

 

11.7                     Counterparts

 

This Deed may be executed in counterparts.  All executed counterparts constitute one document.

 

11.8                     No merger

 

The rights and obligations of the parties under this Deed do not merge on completion of any transaction contemplated by this Deed.

 

11.9                     Entire agreement

 

This Deed constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in connection with its subject matter and supersedes all previous agreements or understandings between the parties in connection with its subject matter.

 

11.10              Further action

 

Each party must do, at its own expense, everything reasonably necessary (including executing documents) to give full effect to this Deed and the transactions contemplated by it.

 

11.11              Severability

 

A provision or part of a provision of this Deed that is illegal or unenforceable may be severed from this Deed and the remaining provisions or parts of the provision of this Deed continue in force.

 

11.12              Waiver

 

A party does not waive a right, power or remedy if it fails to exercise or delays in exercising the right, power or remedy.  A single or partial exercise of a right, power or remedy does not prevent another or further exercise of that or another right, power or remedy.  A waiver of a right, power or remedy must be in writing and signed by the party giving the waiver.

 

11.13              Relationship

 

Except where this Deed expressly states otherwise, it does not create a relationship of employment, trust, agency or partnership between the parties.

 

11.14              Announcements

 

A public announcement in connection with this Deed or a transaction contemplated by it must be agreed by the parties before it is made, except if required by law or a regulatory body (including a relevant stock exchange).

 

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11.15              Governing law and jurisdiction

 

This Deed is governed by the law of South Australia and each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Australia.

 

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Signing page

 

EXECUTED as a Deed

 

 

	
Executed by Sundance   Energy Australia
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Limited ACN 112 202 883
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
!
    	
 
    	
!
    
	
Signature of director
    	
 
    	
Signature of director/company secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(Please delete as applicable)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name of director (print)
    	
 
    	
Name of director/company secretary (print)
    

 

 

	
Signed by         in   the presence of
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
!
    	
 
    	
!
    
	
Signature of witness
    	
 
    	
H W Holcombe
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name of witness (print)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

19Exhibit 4.10

 

FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of                          , by and between Sundance Energy Inc, a Colorado limited liability company, and its successors, affiliates or assigns (“Employer”) and Eric McCrady (“Employee”).  The Employer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sundance Energy Australia Ltd, a public company incorporated in Australia and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and subject to the ASX Listing Rules (“Sundance”). The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Employment Term

 

Employer hereby employs Employee as its Chief Executive Officer upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.  The term (“Services Term”) of Employee’s employment hereunder shall commence on 1 January 2014 and shall continue until the first of the following to occur:

 

(a)                                 2 January 2017; or

 

(b)                                 upon the sooner termination as hereinafter provided in paragraph 8 hereof.

 

2.                                      Duties: Reporting

 

(a)                                 During the Services Term, except as is otherwise expressly set forth herein, Employee shall devote his full business time and attention to Employer and the diligent performance of his duties hereunder.  Employee shall run the day-to-day operations of Employer in all material respects within the parameters of the then operative Business Plan and Budget of Employer and shall personally supervise the day-to-day operations of Employer in the Business.

 

(b)                                 Employee shall report directly to both the Board of Employer and to the Chairman of Sundance, and if the Chairman of Sundance is unavailable, to the Board of Sundance.  Employee hereby accepts such employment and agrees to perform his services hereunder faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability.  Employee shall observe all reasonable rules and regulations adopted by Employer in connection with the operation of its business, including, but not limited to, with respect to confidential information, and carry out to the best of Employee’s ability all lawful instructions of Employer.

 

(c)                                  As long as such activities do not materially interfere with Employee’s services to Employer hereunder, Employee may serve on boards of directors of other entities not related to the oil and gas and related businesses (collectively, the “Excluded Businesses”) or on boards of charitable or similar organizations.

 

(d)                                 For the purposes of this Agreement Employee acknowledges that any reference to the interest, operations, reasonable rules and regulations and lawful directions of Employer will be taken to include the interest, operations, reasonable rules and regulations and lawful directions of Sundance, and Employee will have the same regard to the interests of Sundance as to the interests of Employer.

 

 

3.                                      Duties: Scope

 

During the Services Term, Employee shall perform the following duties:

 

(a)                                 evaluate, define, get approval from the Boards of Employer and Sundance, and execute strategy;

 

(b)                                 manage day to day operations;

 

(c)                                  build an effective and professional management team;

 

(d)                                 hire/fire/manage compensation with the Remuneration Committees of the Employer and of Sundance;

 

(e)                                  raise and allocate capital, and manage debt when appropriate;

 

(f)                                   manage costs;

 

(g)                                  seek opportunities to grow the business (M&A, projects, partnerships, structures, etc.);

 

(h)                                 communication with the market and investors;

 

(i)                                     be the public face of Employer and Sundance, and expand Sundance’s investor base and capital markets exposure;

 

(j)                                    perform the role of Chief Executive Officer of Employer as directed by the Board of Employer;

 

(k)                                 perform the role of Managing Director of Sundance as directed by the Board of Sundance, and immediately resign from that office if directed to do so by the Board of Sundance;

 

(l)                                     communicate effectively with the Boards of Employer and Sundance;

 

(m)                             manage compliance, accounting, control framework and regulatory matters;

 

(n)                                 build and maintain relationships with our partners;

 

(o)                                 manage safety and environmental matters; and

 

(p)                                 all ancillary activities to the duties set forth in this Agreement.

 

4.                                      Salary and Bonuses

 

In full consideration for all rights granted and services rendered by Employee hereunder, Employer shall pay Employee the following compensation:

 

(a)                                 An annual base salary at the rate of US$275,000.00 per annum, plus any increases to that base salary as determined by the Board of Sundance in accordance with the Incentive Compensation Plan that was approved by the Board of Sundance on 7 April 2011 (“Plan”).  Such annual salary shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis for any partial year and shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with Employer’s then prevailing payroll policy.

 

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(b)                                 Any additional amount as determined in accordance with the Plan, which may include an annual bonus and equity component, and any additional discretionary bonus approved under the Plan (which bonus will given by the Employer to the Employee at the sole discretion of the Board of Sundance).

 

5.                                      Expenses

 

To the extent that Employee incurs necessary and reasonable business expenses including without limitation, air travel, accommodations and entertainment expenses during the course of his employment hereunder, Employee shall be reimbursed for such expenses upon receipt by Employer of satisfactory evidence thereof.  Employee’s travel and accommodation expenses shall include travel to Australia and within the United States for business meetings and conferences related to the Business as well as other activities customarily undertaken by executives in the oil and gas business.

 

6.                                      Benefits

 

Employee shall be entitled to vacation, health insurance and other Employee benefits in accordance with Exhibit A hereto.

 

7.                                      Protection of Employer’s Interest

 

Restrictive Covenants

 

(a)                               Non-Competition.  Employee acknowledges that, in the course of his responsibilities hereunder, Employee will form relationships and become acquainted with certain confidential and proprietary information as further described in paragraph 7(h).  Employee further acknowledges that such relationships and information are and will remain valuable to the Employer and Sundance and that the restrictions on future employment, if any, are reasonably necessary in order for Employer to remain competitive.  In recognition of their heightened need for protection from abuse of relationships formed or information garnered before and during the Services Term of the Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee covenants and agrees for the six (6) month period immediately following termination of employment for any reason (the “Restrictive Period”), Employee will not be involved in any way (whether directly or indirectly, or solely or jointly with or as a partner, joint venturer, associate, advisor, consultant, manager, employee, independent contractor, agent, principal, director or officer of a body corporate, shareholder, unit holder, trustee, beneficiary or in any other capacity) in:

 

(i)                                     competing for the acquisition of any project or business, the acquisition of which is known by Employee to be under active consideration by Employer;

 

(ii)                                  diverting or attempting to divert any business opportunity from Employer;

 

(iii)                               causing or attempting to cause any person who is or was a customer of Employer and with whom Employee has had dealings within the last 12 months of the termination of Employee’s employment, not to do business with Employer;

 

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(iv)                              canvassing, inducing or soliciting any employee or agent of Employer to leave the employment or agency of Employer;

 

(v)                                 canvassing, soliciting, approaching or accepting any solicited or unsolicited approach from any person who is or was a customer of the business of Employer at any time during the term of this Agreement with a view to securing the business of that customer;  or

 

(vi)                              using or disclosing to the detriment or possible detriment of Employer information concerning the business of Employer’s customers or suppliers or divulging to any person any information concerning the business of Employer or its dealings, transactions or affairs.

 

(b)                                 Each of the separate obligations referred to in paragraph 7(a) is severable and has an independent operation from each of the other obligations referred to; however, each separate obligation will be cumulative in effect.  Employee understands and acknowledges that this restraint is reasonable to protect the goodwill of Employer’s business.

 

(c)                                  Employee agrees with Employer that he will not, without the prior written consent of Employer either directly or indirectly, participate in or be engaged, concerned or interested in the commission of each prescribed act within each prescribed area and for each prescribed period.

 

(d)                                 For the purposes of paragraph 7, each of the following is a prescribed area:

 

(i)                                     The United States of America;

 

(ii)                                  Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming and North Dakota;

 

(iii)                               Australia; and

 

(iv)                              South Australia.

 

(e)                                  Employee acknowledges:

 

(i)                                     that Employer has expended substantial time, money and other resources in establishing Employer’s business, customer base and market relationships, and the goodwill associated with them;

 

(ii)                                  that as a consequence of servicing that business, customer base, market relationships and goodwill, he:

 

(1)                           acquires no personal interest or benefit; and

 

(2)                           will establish a personal relationship and rapport with Employer’s customers and market relationships in the course of the Appointment;

 

(iii)                               that Employer is likely to suffer loss and damage if Employee takes or attempts to take personal advantage of his relationship and rapport with the customers and market relationships of Employer, contrary to paragraph 7 of this Agreement;

 

(iv)                              that the goodwill associated with the customer base and market relationships of Employer has value as property of Employer capable of sale; and

 

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(v)                                 that to the extent that Employee has been introduced to that business, customer base and market relationships (and associated goodwill) by Employer it has been with a view to Employee servicing them either directly or indirectly for the benefit of Employer.

 

(f)                                   Employee acknowledges that each of the separate obligations referred to in paragraph 7:

 

(i)                                     is reasonable having regard to the nature of the conduct restrained, the duration and the scope of the restraint and the reasonable necessity of the restraints for the protection of the business and goodwill of Employer; and

 

(ii)                                  extends no further (in any respect) than is reasonably necessary and is solely to protect the legitimate business interests of Employer and its goodwill; and

 

(g)                                  If Employee contravenes any of the obligations contained in paragraph 7 then irrespective of any other provision of this Agreement and any other remedies available to Employer, Employer may seek injunctive relief, it being acknowledged that damages would not be an adequate remedy.

 

(h)                                 Confidentiality.  Employee covenants and agrees that Employee shall not at any time during the Services Term or thereafter, without Employer’s prior written consent, such consent to be within Employer’s sole and absolute discretion, disclose or make known to any person or entity outside of the Employer any Trade Secret (as defined below), or proprietary or other confidential information concerning Employer, including without limitation, Employer’s customers and its scientific, business or other data practices, procedures, management policies or any other information regarding Employer, which is not already and generally known to the public through no wrongful act of Employee or any other party.  Employee covenants and agrees that Employee shall not at any time during the Services Term, or thereafter, without the Employer’s prior written consent, utilize any such Trade Secrets, proprietary or confidential information in any way, including communications with or contact with any such customer other than in connection with employment hereunder.  For purposes of this paragraph 7, “Trade Secrets” is defined as data or information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, know-how, technique or process, that derives any economic value, present or potential, from not being generally known to, and  not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who may or could obtain any economic value from its disclosure or use.

 

(i)                                     Former Employer Information.  Employee will not intentionally, during the Services Term, improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or Trade Secrets of any former employer or other person or entity and will not improperly bring onto the premises of the Employer any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person or entity.

 

(j)                                    Third Party Information.  Employee acknowledges that Employer has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes.  Employee will hold

 

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all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose it to any person or entity or to use it except as necessary in carrying out Employee’s duties hereunder consistent with Employer’s agreement with such third party.

 

(k)                                 Employer’s Property.  Employee hereby confirms that Trade Secrets, proprietary or confidential information including, but not limited to, all information concerning Employer’s processes, procedures, customers, pricing, employee matters, scientific date, etc. constitute Employer’s exclusive property.  Employee agrees that upon termination of employment, Employee shall promptly return to the Employer all notes, notebooks, memoranda, computer disks, and any other similar repositories of information containing or relating in any way to the Trade Secrets or proprietary or confidential information of the Employer, including but not limited to, the documents referred to in paragraph 7(h).  Such repositories of information also include but are not limited to any so-called personal files or other personal data compilations in any form, which in any manner contain any Trade Secrets, or proprietary or confidential information of Employer.

 

(l)                                     Notice to Employer.  Employee agrees to notify Employer immediately of any employers for whom Employee works or provides services (whether or not for remuneration to Employee or a third party) during the Services Term or within the Restrictive Period.

 

(m)                             During the Services Term, except as permitted pursuant to paragraph 2(c) hereof, Employee agrees not to engage in any activity, directly or indirectly, whether as a consultant, principal, employee, agent or owner, or otherwise, in the Excluded Businesses other than through Employer or any Permitted Entity (as hereinafter defined); provided, however, the foregoing will not prevent Employee from:

 

(i)                                     holding at any time less than 20% of the outstanding capital stock of any company engaged in an Excluded Business whose stock is publicly traded, or

 

(ii)                                  making an investment (irrespective of the size of the investment) in any privately held entity provided that Employee complies with the provisions of paragraph 7(n).  As used herein, a “Permitted Entity” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     any subsidiary of Employer;

 

(ii)                                  affiliate owned or controlled by Employer; or

 

(iii)                               any entity in which Employer has an ownership interest that is engaged in the exploration, production, or acquisition of any oil and gas assets.

 

(n)                                 Except for activities and business opportunities engaged in by Employee pursuant to paragraph 2(c), during the Services Term Employee will offer to Employer on a “first look” basis all business opportunities or potential business opportunities relating to the Excluded Businesses that are offered to Employee.  If, after offering a business opportunity to Employer, Employer determines not to pursue such business opportunity (or fails to respond in writing to such offer within ten (10) business days following the date such opportunity is offered in

 

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writing to Employer), Employee may engage in any such opportunity in the event that:

 

(i)                                     such engagement does not interfere with Employee’s obligations hereunder; and

 

(ii)                                  the Board has expressly consented in writing to such engagement by Employee, including with respect to the scope and terms thereof.

 

(o)                                 To the extent permitted by law, all rights worldwide with respect to any and all intellectual or other property of any nature produced, created, developed or written, or suggested by Employee resulting from Employee’s services for Employer (“Intellectual Property”) shall be deemed to be a work made for hire and shall be the sole and exclusive property of Employer.  Employee agrees to execute, acknowledge and deliver to Employer, at Employer’s request, such further documents as Employer finds appropriate to evidence Employer’s rights in such property.

 

(p)                                 For the purposes of this paragraph 7 Employee acknowledges that:

 

(i)                                     any reference to the interest of Employer will be taken to include the interest of Sundance and its related bodies corporate, and Employee will have the same regard to the interest of Sundance and its related bodies corporate as to the interest of Employer; and

 

(ii)                                  any reference to Employer will be taken to be a reference to Sundance and its related bodies corporate, to the maximum extent permitted by the context.

 

8.                                      Termination

 

(a)                                 Employer may terminate Employee’s employment only for “Good Cause”.  As used hereunder, “Good Cause” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     willful misconduct which results in a material breach or substantial failure by Employee to comply with or perform a material term of this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                  Employee’s gross negligence in the performance of his duties for Employer;

 

(iii)                               the commitment of a fraud on Employer, or

 

(iv)                              any conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony involving a crime of moral turpitude.

 

In the event of termination for Good Cause, all of Employer’s obligations hereunder shall terminate immediately, except that Employer shall be obligated to pay or accord to Employee the salary, benefits and other compensation provided herein accruing or earned through the date of termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Good Cause” shall not be deemed to exist unless Employee has received written notice of termination for Good Cause (which written notice shall state the cause), and, if curable, Employee fails to cure such element of Good Cause within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of such notice or, if longer, such reasonable period as

 

7

 

is required to cure such element, provided Employee pursues such cure diligently.

 

(b)                                 In the event of Employee’s death during the Services Term hereof, this Agreement shall terminate and Employer shall only be obligated to pay Employee’s estate or legal representative the salary provided for herein to the extent accrued or earned by Employee prior to such event and to accord Employee’s estate or legal representative such accrued benefits and other compensation to which Employee was then entitled at the time of such event.

 

(c)                                  In the event Employee is unable to perform substantially the services required of Employee hereunder as a result of any disability due to physical or mental injury, disability or illness and such disability continues for a period of one hundred fifty (150) or more consecutive days or an aggregate of two hundred (200) or more days during any 12 month period during the Services Term hereof, then at any time thereafter while such disability continues, Employer shall have the right, at its option, to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder.  Unless and until so terminated, during any period of disability during which Employee is unable to perform the services required of Employee hereunder, Employee’s salary hereunder shall nevertheless be paid, and Employer shall be obligated to pay or accord to Employee the benefits and other compensation provided herein.  In the event of a dispute as to whether the Employee is disabled within the meaning of this paragraph 8(c), or the duration of any disability, either party may request a medical examination of the Employee by a doctor appointed by the Chief of Staff of a hospital selected by mutual agreement of the parties, or as the parties may otherwise agree, and the written medical opinion of such doctor shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties as to whether the Employee has become disabled and the date when such disability arose.  The cost of any such medical examinations shall be borne by Employer.

 

(d)                                 If this Agreement shall be terminated by Employer for any reason, Employee shall have no duty to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate damages, and any compensation or other consideration received by Employee followed by any such termination shall not be offset against any of Employer’s obligations hereunder.

 

(e)                                  This Agreement can be terminated by Employee with ninety (90) days written notice to Employer. If Employee so terminates the Agreement pursuant to this paragraph 8(e), then this Agreement shall terminate and Employer shall only  be obligated to pay Employee the salary provided for herein to the extent accrued or earned by Employee prior to such event and to accord Employee such accrued benefits and other compensation to which Employee was then entitled at the time of such event.

 

(f)                                   If, as a direct result of change in the control of Sundance, at the instigation of the Sundance Board Employee suffers a material diminution in his status as Chief Executive Officer of Employer or Managing Director of Sundance or both, including, without limitation, through a material change in his authority in respect of the business of Sundance or any subsidiary of Sundance or in his reporting relationship with the Sundance Board, then:

 

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(i)                                     Employee may, within two months of such diminution in status, elect by giving two weeks written notice to Employer to treat his employment as being terminated by Employer other than for “Good Cause” under this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                  if Employee gives such notice his employment will cease at the end of the period of two weeks written notice; and

 

(iii)                               any cessation of employment will have no effect on the other continuing rights and obligations that are created by this Agreement.

 

9.                                      Assignment

 

Employer may assign this Agreement or all or any part of its rights and obligations hereunder in connection with any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of Employer’s assets, or other sale of the business to which this Agreement relates to an acquiring or surviving party that succeeds to all or substantially all of Employer’s business or assets, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of such assignee, provided that nothing shall diminish Employee’s rights, status, position or duties hereunder. Such assignment shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement by Employer. Employee acknowledges that this Agreement is a personal services contract and that Employee’s rights and obligations hereunder are not assignable.

 

10.                               Notices

 

All notices, statements and other documents required or desired to be given shall be made in writing and should be made by personal (or messenger) delivery by mail or by telecopier or fax and should be addressed to the parties as follows:

 

To Employer:                     Sundance Energy Inc

 

633 17th Street

Suite 1950

Denver, Colorado 80202

Fax: (303) 543-5701

 

To Employee:                   Eric McCrady

919 South Gilpin Street

Denver, Colorado 80209

 

Any party may change its address for purposes of receiving notices, statements or other documents by a notice to the other parties. Notice given by mail shall be deemed to be given three days after the date of mailing thereof. Notice given by telecopier or fax shall be deemed given upon confirmed receipt. Notice by personal (or messenger) delivery shall be deemed given upon confirmed receipt.

 

11.                               Employer

 

Employee acknowledges that any consent, waiver, negotiation, decision or approval by “Employer” pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any

 

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amendment to this Agreement) may only be made by Employer with the approval of Employer’s Board.

 

12.                               Representations and warranties of Employee

 

Employee hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)                                 Employee has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement;

 

(b)                                 the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any contact or agreement to which such Employee is a party or by which Employee is bound;

 

(c)                                  Employee is under no obligations or commitments, whether contractual or otherwise, that are inconsistent with Employee’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

13.                               Specific Enforcement

 

Employee acknowledges that a breach of this Agreement is likely to result in irreparable and unreasonable harm to Employer, and that injunctive relief, as well as damages would be an appropriate remedy.

 

14.                               Arbitration

 

Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with any provision of this Agreement will be finally settled by binding arbitration in Denver County, Colorado in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association by one arbitrator appointed in accordance with said rules. The arbitrator shall apply Colorado law, without reference to rules of conflicts of law or rules or statutory arbitration, to the resolution of any dispute. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for preliminary or interim equitable relief, or to compel arbitration in accordance with this paragraph, without breach of this arbitration provision.

 

15.                               Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                 This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether written or oral, concerning the terms of Employee’s  employment, and no amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be binding against Employer unless set forth in writing signed by Employer and delivered to Employee. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any provision or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

 

(b)                                 The headings set forth herein are included solely for the purpose of identification and shall not be used for the purpose of construing the meaning of the provisions of this agreement.

 

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(c)                                  Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to require the commission of any act contrary to law, and wherever there is any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any present or future statute, law, ordinance or regulation, the latter shall prevail, but in such event the provision of this Agreement affected shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within legal requirements.

 

(d)                                 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to any choice of law provision of that state or the laws of any jurisdiction. In accordance with the Immigration Report and Control Act of 1986, employment hereunder is conditioned upon satisfactory proof of Employee’s identity and legal ability to work in the United States.

 

(e)                                  All payments and other compensation provided or to be provided to Employee pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to reduction for withholding requirements in accordance with applicable law.

 

(f)                                   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(g)                                  In the event of any action or suit based upon or arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs of such action or suit from other party.

 

(h)                                 Part or all of any clause of this Agreement that is illegal or unenforceable will be severed from this Agreement and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will continue in force.

 

(i)                                     If this Agreement provides for any payment(s) or benefit(s) that is or are (whether alone or in conjunction with any other payments or benefits):

 

(i)                                     greater than permitted under the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (“Corporations Act”) or the ASX Listing Rules without the need to obtain any form of shareholder approval; or

 

(ii)                                  not permitted under the Corporations Act or the ASX Listing Rules,

 

then the payment or benefit will be reduced to the greatest amount permitted (if any), either:

 

(iii)                               without the need for such shareholder approval, or;

 

(iv)                              by the Corporations Act or ASX Listing Rules,

 

or not paid or provided as the case may be and such reduction or non payment or provision will not amount to a breach of this Agreement.  Employer may, in its absolute discretion, apportion such a reduction between any one or more payments or benefits under this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, where:

 

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(A)                               shareholder approval has been obtained for Sundance or the Employer (as applicable) to make a payment or provide a benefit to the Employee, including but not limited to any issue of shares, options or other securities by Sundance; and

 

(B)                               that payment or benefit is permitted under the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules,

 

this paragraph 15(i) will not apply to Sundance or the Employer providing that payment or benefit to the Employee.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
Employer:
    	
 
    	
Employee:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Sundance Energy Inc
    	
 
    	
Eric McCrady
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
BY:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ITS: Manager
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

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Exhibit A

 

LIST OF BENEFITS

 

·                                          21 days per year of paid time off

 

·                                          All Employer-observed holidays

 

·                                          Medical insurance for Employee

 

·                                          Employer stock options/restricted share units as approved by the Board of the Employer and the Board of Sundance, and the shareholders of Sundance where applicable.

 

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