The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has today announced the end of special administration of the Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group Aboriginal Corporation (BRADAAG).
BRADAAG was established in 1982 to provide a safe sobering-up shelter for Aboriginal people. More than 35 years on, the organisation has evolved to provide residential rehabilitation, counselling, outreach and education services to address drug and alcohol issues. It also plays an advocacy role for these services in the Tennant Creek region.
On 27 April 2017 the corporation transferred its registration from the Northern Territory Associations Act to the Commonwealth Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).
This move recognises that BRADAAG is an Aboriginal organisation and will now always be owned and controlled by the Aboriginal people of Tennant Creek. It also allowed the directors of BRADAAG to ask the Registrar’s office for a special administration to restructure the corporation. BRADAAG was placed under special administration on 10 May 2017.
The special administrator worked with members, staff and the community to strengthen governance, financial arrangements, and operational policies and procedures. This included amending the corporation’s rule book to reflect its position in the community after its recent transfer to the CATSI Act and adding a skilled independent director to the board.
The special administrator worked closely with BRADAAG's CEO, Ms Pauline Reynolds, to lead business operations and oversee staff. Staff have benefitted from a review of position descriptions and employment contracts which has clarified all roles and responsibilities.
The Northern Territory Government has agreed to provide further funding for future operations and services.
The special administrator has also begun legal proceedings on behalf of BRADAAG to recover monies from a former CEO.
‘The corporation is now back in the hands of its members,’ Mr Beven said. ‘The special administration has placed BRADAAG in the best possible position to continue delivering high-quality rehabilitation services to Aboriginal people in the Tennant Creek region.’
Background
See the Registrar’s previous media release of 10 May 2017.
Media contact
Lisa Hugg (02) 6146 4738
ORIC MR1718-13
10 November 2017