I have received a copy of the independent review into the progress of the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) in addressing the recommendations of a governance audit undertaken by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).
The review was commissioned earlier this year by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
The review shows that the ALC’s governance, operations and decision-making remain deficient.
Although the Board and management of ALC have acknowledged the recommendations of both the ANAO audit and this recent review, the lack of progress is unacceptable.
In response to the review’s findings, I have taken several steps:
- I have written to the ALC Board to ensure the Board and voters are aware of the review’s findings ahead of the ALC Board elections next week.
- I have taken the unusual decision to withhold approval for the ALC’s 2024/25 budget, instead approving an operational budget until 1 December 2024. The full budget will only be considered when ALC has demonstrated to the NIAA that it is sufficiently prioritising and implementing the recommendations of the review and the ANAO audit.
- I expect the new ALC Board to meet with the NIAA Integrity Group as soon as practicable after the election results are finalised, to discuss the importance of the review and ANAO recommendations, and the Board’s role in ensuring these are responded to promptly.
- I have asked the NIAA to make the full independent review report available on its website to ensure transparency of the review, its findings and recommendations.
The NIAA will monitor ALC’s progress and will provide support and advice to meet the ANAO and the independent review recommendations.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“Good governance is the cornerstone of trust and needs to be based on transparency, fairness, and accountability. Without the trust of the Anindilyakwa people and other key stakeholders, the ALC cannot properly represent its people and achieve its mission.
“I take governance at Land Councils seriously - poor governance and decision making can have a significant and detrimental impact on social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
“The steps I have taken today put the ALC Board and management on notice. Their failure to sufficiently respond to the recommendations of the independent review and ANAO must not continue, and they need to demonstrate their progress to the NIAA.”