The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has again placed the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC under special administration.
The native title body was initially placed under special administration in June 2017. Two former directors successfully challenged the decision in the Federal Court and the special administration was terminated on 25 August 2017.
However, concerns remained about the corporation’s governance. Disputation within the corporation had also escalated since 25 August 2017 with threats of litigation made against a director, a number of employees and third parties.
In August 2017 a number of the corporation’s members and one of its three directors also requested the Registrar to place the corporation back into special administration.
Gunditj Mirring has a unique governance model in its rule book. The corporation is required to hold a general meeting of members every month and the directors have limited power to manage the corporation’s business. This has been a factor in some of the ongoing disputes.
The Registrar found that the unresolved issues at the corporation were once again affecting the corporation’s day-to-day operations.
‘The special administrator will work with the corporation’s members to address their concerns and ensure the corporation is able to continue with its important work,’ said Mr Beven. ‘I am confident that the issues affecting the corporation can now be remedied without resorting to litigation.’
The Registrar has appointed Mr Paul Case from the Adelaide base firm MLCS Corporate Pty Ltd as the special administrator from 14 September 2017 until 15 January 2018.
Background
See the Registrar’s previous media release of 13 June 2017 Registrar to reform Victorian native title corporation and addendum of 20 July 2017.
Media contact
Lisa Hugg
(02) 6146 4738
ORIC MR1718-04
14 September 2017