Westpac Banking Corp 6-K, filed Aug 17, 2020

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

August17, 2020

CommissionFile Number 1-10167

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

275 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 2000, AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports

under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F     ____x_____            Form 40-F       __________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): __________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___________

Incorporation by Reference

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K, excluding the information set forth in Exhibit No. 1, shall be incorporated by reference in the prospectuses relating to the Registrant’s securities contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-228295, 333-228294 and 333-220373), as such prospectuses may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Westpac has today announced the appointment of Christopher Lynch to the Westpac Board effective September 1, 2020.

Index to Exhibits

Disclosure regarding forward-lookingstatements

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements about matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Report and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to our business and operations, macro and micro economic and market conditions, results of operations and financial condition.

We use words such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘expect’, ‘indicative’, ‘intend’, ‘seek’, ‘would’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘continue’, ‘plan’, ‘aim’, ‘probability’, ‘risk’, ‘forecast’, ‘likely’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’ or other similar words to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to change, certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect of future developments on us will be those anticipated. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the expectations described in this Report. Factors that may impact on the forward-looking statements made include, but are not limited to, those described in the section entitled ‘Risk factors’ in Westpac’s 2020 Interim Financial Results on Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the ongoing impact of COVID-19. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider such factors and other uncertainties and events. We are under no obligation, and do not intend, to update any forward-looking statements contained in this Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this Report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit1

17AUGUST 2020

APPOINTMENTOF CHRIS LYNCH TO THE WESTPAC BOARD

Westpac has today announced the appointment of Christopher (Chris) Lynch to the Westpac Board effective 1 September 2020.

Westpac Chairman, John McFarlane said “We are delighted to welcome Chris to the Board as we continue the process of Board and Executive renewal. Chris will bring new insights to the Board with his senior domestic and international experience.”

Chris’s last Executive position was as CFO of Rio Tinto, based in London and prior to that he was CEO of Transurban. Chis also held a number of Senior Executive positions at BHP, including as Group President, Carbon Steel Materials and as CFO. Prior to BHP, Chris worked at Alcoa both in Australia and internationally.

Chris said “It is an honour to join the Board of Australia’s oldest company. A robust banking sector is essential for the Australian and Global economy. I look forward to working with John and the Board.”

Mr Lynch will be an independent Non-executive Director and will become a member of the Board Audit Committee and Board Risk Committee upon his appointment.

AboutChris Lynch

Mr Lynch was formerly the Global Chief Financial Officer of Rio Tinto based in London from 2013 to 2018, was the Chief Executive Officer of Transurban Group from 2008 to 2012 and the Group President, Carbon Steel Materials and Chief Financial Officer of BHP Billiton. Mr Lynch also held a number of executive positions at Alcoa (including in the USA, Europe and Australia).

Mr Lynch holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce, both from Deakin University, and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

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This document has been authorised for release by Tim Hartin, General Manager & Company Secretary.