(1) Before 1 March in each financial year, the Board must recommend to the Minister in writing that AA:
(a) pay an interim dividend of a specified amount to the Commonwealth for the financial year; or
(b) not pay any interim dividend to the Commonwealth for the financial year.
(2) In making a recommendation, the Board must have regard to the following matters:
(a) the matters specified in section 13;
(b) AA's interim financial results and anticipated full - year financial results.
(3) The Minister must respond in writing to the Board's recommendation, within 45 days, either:
(a) approving the recommendation; or
(b) giving directions to the Board in relation to the payment of an interim dividend.
(4) The Minister must have regard to the following matters when acting under subsection (3):
(a) the matters specified in section 13 (other than paragraph (b));
(b) the objectives and policies of the Commonwealth Government;
(c) AA's interim financial results and anticipated full - year financial results;
(d) any other commercial considerations the Minister thinks appropriate.
(5) If an interim dividend is approved or directed under subsection (3), AA must pay the interim dividend to the Commonwealth by 15 June in the financial year.
(6) In this section:
"interim dividend" , in relation to a financial year, means an amount paid on account of the dividend that may become payable under section 46 for the financial year.