The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has released his yearbook for 2007–08. This is the first yearbook under Mr Beven’s tenure since taking office on 1 October 2007.
Mr Beven said today that his office had worked hard over the past year to help Indigenous corporations make the transition to the new Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
‘In the last year we have devoted a lot of resources to increasing the level of reporting compliance and delivering the appropriate training and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations on a wide range of corporate and governance issues,’ Mr Beven said.
‘I am particularly pleased that the percentage of corporations that are compliant with the CATSI Act has exceeded our target of 55 per cent to reach 59 per cent by the end of the financial year.’
Mr Beven said that this increased compliance trend has continued into the present financial year.
The yearbook also outlines the challenges ahead. In 2008 the Registrar completed an organisational review to better align resources and systems within the office to deal with these new challenges and to set it up to achieve greater regulatory impact and improve internal efficiency.
‘We are well positioned to tackle the high, but achievable aims we have set ourselves,’ Mr Beven said.
‘And with our corporations’ ongoing support and commitment to improving the governance of their corporations, we are looking forward to the year ahead.’
Background
Current legislation does not require the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations to provide an annual report. However, the Registrar finds it appropriate to provide strategic information in a yearbook, such as its achievements, challenges and organisational structure. The Registrar also contributes to the annual report of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
The yearbook can be viewed at www.oric.gov.au.xxx
Contact:
Lisa Donnelly
02 6219 7611
27 October 2008
ORIC MR0809–11