ATLA special administration extended while court proceedings continue

Media release
Special administration

The acting Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Gerrit Wanganeen, has today extended the special administration of Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC (ATLA) for the seventh time—to 31 March 2022.

ATLA is charged with the responsibility to represent the native title rights and interests of Adnyamathanha native title holders recognised in several native title determinations. Native title law intends that native title decisions serve the interests of the relevant native title holders, and seeks to ensure they are included in such decision-making. To make good decisions, decision-makers need appropriate information.

Numerous attempts by ATLA—before and during the special administration—to work with Rangelea Holdings Pty Ltd to provide disclosure to native title holders on trust activity and performance, have been thwarted by Rangelea’s staunch disinterest in cooperation.

‘Rangelea Holdings have gone to the extreme of taking ATLA to the Supreme Court of South Australia instead of trying to resolve the matter through a less contentious and cost effective process,’ said Mr Wanganeen. ‘While the case remains unresolved the corporation’s ability to fulfil its key responsibility under native title legislation is uncertain. Handing back a corporation to members with this level of uncertainty would be against the intent of special administrations under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.’

Despite the ongoing matter with Rangelea, ATLA continues to progress other native title related work such as responding to proposals from mining companies and government departments to conduct works on Adnyamathanha land. In July ATLA engaged an advisor to coordinate the activities of its ‘culture, heritage and native title committee’. The committee meets every 3 or 4 weeks to oversee coordination of heritage site survey activities and has instituted a communications strategy to ensure Adnyamathanha people are aware of activities proposed and taking place on their land, and can communicate with the committee.

Background

See the Registrar's previous media releases:

 

MR2122-07