VIC More Land, More Aboriginal Members, and More Governance Rights for Aboriginal Land Councils

Aboriginal Land Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

3 Sep 2024: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

Share this bill

Email Facebook X Bluesky

Topics

corporate governance financial auditing financial reporting Indigenous affairs Indigenous rights land management

Introduced by: Natalie Hutchins MP (ALP); The Hon Jaclyn Symes MLC (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The Aboriginal Affairs Minister can appoint an independent auditor to examine the accounts, minutes, and records of an Aboriginal Land Trust.
It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly hinder an independent auditor while they are performing their duties.
Aboriginal Land Trusts are prohibited from passing resolutions to lease or dispose of land if the general meeting is held under a reduced quorum exemption.
Aboriginal Land Trusts must include the financial records of any related entities in their annual consolidated financial reports.
A person is disqualified from being a member of a committee of management if they are convicted of an offence involving dishonesty punishable by at least 3 months in prison.
Committee of management members must vacate their office if they are disqualified under the Corporations Act 2001.
It is a criminal offence for an Aboriginal Land Trust to fail to hold a required additional general meeting in any year.

News articles and press releases

ChatGPT Summary

ChatGPT 4o — 2024-09-27

The Aboriginal Land Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 indeed grants more land, expanded membership opportunities, and enhanced governance rights to Aboriginal Land Councils. Specifically, it: Facilitates the transfer of culturally significant land to Aboriginal groups. Simplifies membership criteria, allowing more traditional owners to participate in governance. Increases the decision-making authority and management rights of Aboriginal corporations and Land Councils.