ATLA special administration extended

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Ms Tricia Stroud, has extended the special administration of Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC (ATLA) to 31 December 2022.

ATLA was placed under special administration on 26 March 2020 after an examination of the corporation’s books revealed a range of governance issues, including a lack of records for meetings, memberships, directorships and spending.

ATLA is the registered native title body corporate for Adnyamathanha common law holders, managing their native title rights and interests over 41,000 square kilometres of land in and around the Flinders Ranges. It also manages Adnyamathanha’s business interest in Wilpena Pound Resort.

The extension of the special administration is necessary to resolve complex business structures that have impeded the ability of the corporation to engage with and represent the interests of Adnyamathanha common law holders. In particular, there remains no accountability to common law holders about native title monies received from mining royalties.

In the interests of the common law holders, ATLA commenced legal proceedings against Rangelea Holdings Pty Ltd (Rangelea) as trustee of the Adnyamathanha Master Trust. The pending judgement will determine if an inspector will be appointed to report on the activities of Rangelea, and whether Rangelea must release the register of common law holders to ATLA.

A resolution to this matter is necessary so that the special administrator can engage with common law holders to make native title decisions and rebuild ATLA’s business and financial structures and governance model.

The special administrator will continue to work with the corporation's advisory group and its Culture, Heritage and Native Title committee to progress native title matters and important cultural heritage work.

Peter McQuoid will continue as special administrator.

Background

See the Registrar's previous media releases:

Adnyamathanha people's corporation in need of overhaul—26 March 2020
More support for Adnyamathanha people's corporation—1 July 2020
ATLA structure a labyrinth—25 September 2020
One more extension for ATLA special administration—21 December 2020
ATLA special administration extended—20 April 2021
Transparency sought for Adnyamathanha native title holders—1 June 2021
ATLA special administration extended while court proceedings continue—22 December 2021
ATLA trial in court to commence—31 March 2022
 

MR2122-16