A number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have appeared in court for not lodging their annual returns. The prosecutions were brought by the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven.
This latest round of prosecutions follows convictions of corporations in August and November last year. Four of the thirteen corporations were fined by the courts.
Medium and large corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) are required to submit a general report, a financial report and an audit report with the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations; unless they receive an exemption. Reports must be lodged with the Registrar by 31 December each year.
Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations fulfil their CATSI Act reporting obligations; 96 per cent of corporations were compliant in 2010–11.
‘Lodging corporation reports is a basic requirement of good governance. Corporations that keep their documents up to date are usually better placed to vie for funding and the members are more informed about their corporation,’ Mr Beven said.
‘As we enter the next reporting season on 1 July, these matters are a reminder to all corporations that fines can be imposed, so it is important to lodge those reports on time.’ The outcomes of the matters are listed below.
| Corporations | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| The Gooddo Aboriginal Corporation for Day Care (ICN 467) | QLD | Fine $4,500 |
| Karlkurla Language & Culture Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 1645) |
WA | Fine $4,500 |
| "Kootana" Women's Centre Palm Island Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 419) | QLD | Fine $4,500 |
| Mirnirri Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2677) | NT | Fine $1,375 |
| Marrangu Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 3605) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Jungalina Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 1726) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Kalumbulani Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2664) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Camfield Mudbura Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2668) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Millwarparra Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 3654) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Gurunadji Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2459) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Kunbohwinjgu (Fresh Water) Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2894) |
NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Namarrkon Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2896) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
| Wamanki Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2955) | NT | Charge proved and dismissed |
The matters were prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Media contact
Christa de Jager
(02) 6146 4737
26 June 2012
Ref: ORIC MR1112-40