Australian Unity members have voted against demutualising the organisation.

Last December, Australian Unity sent members a report examining the pros and cons of demutualisation, but 52% of the 16,5000 members who responded voted to keep the company as it is. About 30% of members voted in favour of demutualisation and 18% were undecided.

The group held 11 consultative meetings with members throughout Australia, and conducted 18,000 random telephone surveys of members to determine the issue.

Chairman Alan Castleman says the work involved has not been in vain. The process has been “useful in providing members with more information about their organisation”.