<P> The changes were based on the reform proposals contained in the CLERP 9 discussion paper, Corporation disclosure - strengthening the financial reporting framework, which was released by the Australian government in September 2002 . The 2004 amendments also enacted some reforms flowing from the recommendations in the Report of the HIH Insurance Royal Commission released in April 2003 . </P> <P> The important reforms to the Corporations Act included: </P> <Ul> <Li> changes to continuous disclosure offence provisions, including giving ASIC the power to issue infringement notices . </Li> <Li> changes to financial reporting, including requiring the CEO and CFO sign - off to the board, and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) disclosure in the Annual Report . </Li> <Li> the introduction of a non-binding vote on remuneration reports and expanded executive remuneration </Li> <Li> new provisions pertaining to auditor independence, and amendments affecting the audit function and audit oversight . </Li> <Li> licensing obligations for financial services licensees to manage conflicts of interest and address analysts independence . </Li> <Li> amendments to the fundraising provisions in Chapters 6D and 7 of the Corporations Act . </Li> </Ul> <Li> changes to continuous disclosure offence provisions, including giving ASIC the power to issue infringement notices . </Li>

What is clerp 9 and what are its main goals