The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has today placed the Gulf Savannah NT Aboriginal Corporation (GSNT) under special administration.
The corporation, which is based in Borroloola in the Northern Territory, was set up in 2013 as a joint venture between the Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation (Mabunji) and the Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation (Mungoorbada). Its principal function is to provide Community Development Programme (CDP) services to the gulf region, including Borroloola, Robinson River and surrounding districts and outstations.
The corporation has not had a full board of directors since November 2015 because of unresolved matters between its two corporate members—Mabunji and Mungoorbada. This has resulted in a deadlock which is disrupting the operations of the corporation.
‘Earlier this month, the GSNT directors wrote to me to express their concern about the deadlock and asked me to help by appointing a special administrator,’ said Mr Beven. ‘The directors are very worried about the possible interruptions to the essential employment and training services that the corporation delivers throughout the region.’
The Registrar also received requests for help from both Mabunji and Mungoorbada over January and February 2016.
‘GSNT finds itself in a difficult situation and it’s clear something must be done to fix its internal problems so the corporation can move on,’ said Mr Beven.
The Registrar has appointed Mr Gerry Mier and Mr Tony Jonsson from the Queensland-based firm of Grant Thornton Australia as the joint special administrators until 27 May 2016.
The special administrators and the Registrar’s office will work closely with GSNT and its corporate members to resolve the matters behind the deadlock to improve the governance and management of the corporation.
Background
For more information about special administrations see the Registrar’s fact sheet Special administrations: what members and directors should know available at www.oric.gov.au.
Media contact
Patricia Gibson
(02) 6146 4738
ORICMR1516-13
26 February 2016
Special administrators
Gerry Mier and Tony Jonsson
Grant Thornton Australia
(07) 4046 8888