10th Aug 2023, 12:14 PM – Senate Committees - Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference - Senator Thorpe's amendment

The majority voted in favour of an amendment introduced by Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe (Independent). It added the text below to the original motion introduced by South Australian Senator Kerrynne Liddle (Liberal) and Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (Country Liberal Party).

Amendment text

After paragraph (a), insert:

(aa) the interactions between corporate governance of these organisations and cultural governance protocols, and challenges arising from these interactions;

Omit paragraph (d), substitute:

(d) the effectiveness of service delivery and ensuring community-led benefit to Traditional Owners;

Paragraph (e), after "impact on the entire community", insert ", including adherence to the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent".

Paragraph (f), omit "and any reasons for delays".

Original motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2024:

(a) the role, governance and accountability requirements of Aboriginal Land Councils and/or similar governing bodies across Australia, their respective members and how these are maintained;

(b) the scope of services funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Aboriginal Land Councils or similar governing bodies and Aboriginal organisations, and how they are impacting the communities they act on behalf of;

(c) how services are delivered, their effectiveness and whether other opportunities exist to provide greater community-led benefit to Traditional Owners;

(d) how Traditional Owners are consulted in making decisions that impact on the entire community;

(e) how Aboriginal Land Councils and/or similar governing bodies and Aboriginal Organisations assess applications for funding and development and any reasons for delays;

(f) how the future of Aboriginal Benefit Account funding will benefit communities; and

(g) any other related matters.