The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has today placed The Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programmes Unit Aboriginal Corporation (CAAAPU) under special administration.
CAAAPU was established in 1992. It provides a culturally appropriate drug and alcohol counselling and residential treatment services for Aboriginal people who reside in Alice Springs and the surrounding areas.
In the 2014-15 financial year CAAAPU received $4.5 million in government grants and $241,000 in fees from clients.
‘My office has had ongoing concerns about the corporation’s financial position and performance’, Mr Beven said. ‘I commenced an independent examination of CAAAPU’s affairs in September 2015 to determine the true state of the corporation’s finances and governance practices.’
The examination found the corporation had incurred an operating loss of $233,000 to 30 June 2015, insufficient working capital and poor internal financial management. Without remedial action it was predicted that the corporation would be unable to pay its debts as they fell due.
‘For over 20 years CAAAPU has helped Aboriginal people battling alcohol and drug addictions’, Mr Beven said. ‘I have intervened today to ensure this essential service can keep its doors open.’
The Registrar has appointed Mr Peter McQuoid from the Brisbane-based firm of PDM Consultancy as the special administrator of the corporation until 30 June 2016.
The special administrator will oversee a restructure of the corporation’s financial and governance systems and procedures to secure the future for CAAAPU. He will work closely with the members of the corporation as well as Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government funding agencies.
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
Lisa Hugg
(02) 6146 4738
ORIC MR1516-10
12 January 2016
Special administrator
Mr Peter McQuoid
(07) 3289 2596
PDM Consultancy