The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, noted today the registration of the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). The corporation was formerly registered under the Corporations Act 2001 as the Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services (TAIHS).
Set up in 1974 the corporation provides community-based and culturally-appropriate health care and community services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Townsville region. Services include general practice, dental health, specialist clinics, supported accommodation, child safety programs, and other community services. It also provides health and other services to non-Indigenous people.
In 2011 the health service went through a difficult period of governance and internal dispute that led to the appointment of a funds administrator by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
As part of important reforms, the directors recommended to the members that TAIHS transfer its registration to the CATSI Act. The members approved the transfer at an extraordinary general meeting in Townsville on 13 December 2011.
‘The health service has a fine history of over 30 years delivering quality health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Townsville region,’ said the Registrar, Anthony Beven. ‘Now as a corporation registered under the CATSI Act it will be able to access a range of support services from my office as it continues its reform work.’
Donald Whaleboat, the corporation’s chairperson said, ‘This has been a challenging time but the directors and members have worked through the issues and are committed to strengthening our health service. With this transfer to the CATSI Act the future looks bright.’
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the peak body for community controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services in Queensland, played a key role in advising the directors and members on the transfer to the CATSI Act, and other reforms.
13 March 2012
Media contact
Patricia Gibson
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Ref: ORIC MR1112-27