Injalak special administration extended

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Mr Selwyn Button, announced today that the special administration of the Injalak Arts & Crafts Aboriginal Corporation has been extended until 23 November 2019.

The corporation, which is based in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) in West Arnhem Land, was placed under special administration on 21 February 2019 primarily to address the corporation’s very poor financial position. On that date the Registrar appointed Mr Jack James and Ms Paula Smith as the joint special administrators of the corporation for three months (until 23 August 2019).

‘Trading continues to be very good however negotiations are still in progress to address the debts from the two major projects that crippled the corporation’s finances,’ Mr Button said. ‘The special administrators are confident that a solution will be found.’

There is wide support for Injalak—from Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments, as well as the Arnhem Northern and Kimberley Artists Aboriginal Corporation. The Department of Communications and the Arts has continued to provide Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support funding which is very important to sustain the corporation’s operations.

‘More time is needed to also ensure the corporation has a strong leadership team and governance arrangements in place before the administration ends,’ he added.

MR1920-03