Four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations that failed to lodge their annual reports for the
2013–14 financial year have been convicted and fined. A further 10 corporations are still before the courts.
The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, brought the prosecutions as part of his office’s regular campaign to maintain high levels of reporting compliance.
Unless exempted, all corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 must lodge reports with the Registrar by 31 December each year.
The campaign has been very successful with compliance rates exceeding 96 per cent over the past five financial years.
‘Last year 97.3 per cent of all corporations met their reporting requirements providing important and timely information to members, funding agencies and the public,’ said Mr Beven. ‘This prosecution program is an important tool in ensuring that reporting levels remain high.’
Summary to date of regulatory prosecutions for failure to lodge 2013–14 reports
| Corporation | State | Court | Date of conviction | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ngarigu Currawong Clan Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 7380) | ACT | Canberra | 12/2/2016 | $100 |
| Nguurruumungu Indigenous Corporation (ICN 7592) | QLD | Cooktown | 4/2/2016 | $500 |
| Banjyma Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 3825) | WA | South Hedland | 25/1/2016 | $2,500 |
| Walbunja Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 7241) | NSW | Moruya | 8/1/2016 | $5,000 |
The prosecutions were conducted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. A complete list of all the Registrar’s prosecution outcomes is available at www.oric.gov.au/prosecution-outcomes.
The Registrar’s prosecution program against corporations that have failed to lodge their 2014–15 annual reports will commence later this month.
The Registrar has issued a list of all corporations that are in breach of their 2014–15 reporting requirements. The list is available at www.oric.gov.au.
Media contact
Patricia Gibson (02) 6146 4743
ORIC MR1516-15
7 March 2016