Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002

Administered by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Legislation au C2004A00991 In force Act

Legislation content

 

 

 

 

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002

 

No. 40, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

An Act to amend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, and for related purposes

 

 

Contents

1 Short title...................................

2 Commencement

3 Schedule(s)..................................

4 Transitional provisions...........................

Schedule 1—Amendments

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989

 

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002

No. 40, 2002

 

 

 

An Act to amend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, and for related purposes

[Assented to 27 June 2002]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002.

2  Commencement

  This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3  Schedule(s)

  Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

4  Transitional provisions

  A request that a body corporate purported to make before the commencement of this section under the subsection repealed by item 46 of Schedule 1, and a decision that the Commission purported to make as a result of such a request, are taken to be, and to have at all times been, as valid as they would have been if the subsection substituted by that item had been in force when the body purported to make the request or the Commission purported to make the decision, as the case may be.


Schedule 1—Amendments

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989

1  After paragraph 31(2)(a)

Insert:

 (aa) has been convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for one year or longer; or

2  At the end of paragraph 31(2)(b)

Add “; or”.

3  At the end of subsection 31(2)

Add:

 (c) has been convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law involving dishonesty and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for 3 months or longer.

4  Paragraph 33(1)(a)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (a) he or she ceases to be a Commissioner, otherwise than by the operation of subsection (2); or

5  At the end of paragraph 40(7)(a)

Add “or”.

6  After paragraph 40(7)(a)

Insert:

 (aa) is convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for one year or longer; or

7  At the end of paragraph 40(7)(b)

Add “or”.

8  After paragraph 40(7)(b)

Insert:

 (ba) is convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law involving dishonesty and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for 3 months or longer; or

9  After subsection 44(5)

Insert:

 (5A) If the Chairperson is not a Commissioner, then he or she is not entitled to participate in any meeting of the Commission and is treated, for the purposes of this section, as not being present at any such meeting.

Note: Because the Chairperson is treated as not being present, subsection (7) applies in determining who presides at the meeting.

10  Paragraph 45(1)(d)

Repeal the paragraph.

11  Section 58

Repeal the section.

12  Section 59

Repeal the section.

13  Subsection 61(1)

Omit “estimates of the receipts and expenditure of”, substitute “budget estimates for”.

14  Subsection 61(7) (paragraph (b) of the definition of money of the Commission)

Omit “or” (last occurring).

15  Subsection 61(7) (paragraph (c) of the definition of money of the Commission)

Repeal the paragraph.

16  Subsection 62(2)

Omit “detailed estimates of expenditure”, substitute “budget estimates”.

17  Subsection 62(4)

Omit “proposed expenditure”, substitute “proposed expenses”.

18  Subsection 62(4)

Omit “that expenditure”, substitute “those expenses”.

19  Subsection 66(2) (paragraph (b) of the definition of money of the Commission)

Omit “or” (last occurring).

20  Subsection 66(2) (paragraph (c) of the definition of money of the Commission)

Repeal the paragraph.

21  Subsection 67(4)

Omit “estimates of the receipts of, and expenditure from,”, substitute “budget estimates for”.

22  Subsection 67(5)

Omit “estimates of expenditure”, substitute “budget estimates”.

23  Paragraph 94(1)(c)

Omit “for Commission expenditure”.

24  At the end of paragraph 102(1)(a)

Add “or”.

25  At the end of paragraph 102(1)(b)

Add “or”.

26  At the end of paragraph 102(1)(c)

Add “or”.

27  At the end of paragraph 102(1)(d)

Add “or”.

28  After paragraph 102(1)(d)

Insert:

 (da) subject to subsection (2), the person has been convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for one year or longer; or

29  At the end of paragraph 102(1)(e)

Add “or”.

30  After paragraph 102(1)(e)

Insert:

 (ea) subject to subsection (2), the person has been convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law involving dishonesty and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for 3 months or longer; or

31  After subsection 102(1A)

Insert:

 (1B) A person who:

 (a) has ceased to be a member of a Regional Council under subsection 122(2); or

 (b) has been removed from office as a Regional Councillor under subsection 122A(5) after having been suspended from office because of misbehaviour;

is not qualified to stand for election, or to be elected, as a member for a Regional Council ward until after the next round of elections for Regional Councils.

32  Subsection 102(2)

Omit “paragraph (1)(d) or (e)”, substitute “paragraph (1)(d), (da), (e) or (ea)”.

33  Paragraph 102(2)(a)

After “offence”, insert “or offences”.

34  Paragraph 102(2)(b)

After “offence”, insert “or offences”.

35  After paragraph 113(2)(c)

Insert:

 (ca) nomination fees;

36  Subsection 115(1)

Before “116”, insert “115A or”.

37  After section 115

Insert:

115A  Additional member where a member is appointed as Commissioner

 (1) This section applies to a Regional Council if:

 (a) one of its members who is a Regional Councillor for a ward is appointed under section 27 as a member of the Commission; and

 (b) there has not previously been an appointment under this section for the Regional Council during the current term of the Regional Council.

 (2) The Minister must appoint, as a member of the Regional Council, the person ascertained by applying the same rules as would apply to filling a casual vacancy in the ward.

 (3) A person appointed as a member of a Regional Council under this section holds office until the end of the next round of Regional Council elections following his or her appointment.

38  Subsection 127(1A)

Repeal the subsection, substitute:

 (1A) If a Commissioner is elected as Chairperson, the Commissioner:

 (a) ceases to hold office as a Commissioner; and

 (b) ceases to hold office as a person elected under Division 7 to represent a zone.

39  Subsection 127A(3)

Repeal the subsection, substitute:

 (3) The Chairperson of a Regional Council holds office for the period that:

 (a) starts when he or she is elected; and

 (b) ends when a Chairperson is elected at the first meeting of the Regional Council after the end of the next election period of the Regional Council.

40  After paragraph 127C(7)(a)

Insert:

 (aa) is convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for one year or longer; or

41  After paragraph 127C(7)(b)

Insert:

 (ba) is convicted of 2 or more offences against a Commonwealth, State or Territory law involving dishonesty and sentenced in respect of all the offences to a single penalty of imprisonment for 3 months or longer; or

42  After subsection 128(5)

Insert:

 (5A) If the Chairperson of a Regional Council is not a Regional Councillor, then he or she is not entitled to be present at any meeting of the Regional Council and is treated, for the purposes of this section, as not being present at any such meeting.

Note: Because the Chairperson is treated as not being present, subsection (7) applies in determining who presides at the meeting.

43  Paragraph 141A(1)(a)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (a) a Chairperson appointed by the Minister, being a person who is an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander and who is not a Commissioner, a member of the TSRA or a Regional Councillor;

44  Section 141B

Repeal the section.

45  Paragraph 141S(1)(a)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (a) a Chairperson appointed by the Minister, being a person who is an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander and who is not a Commissioner, a member of the TSRA or a Regional Councillor;

45A  Section 141T

Repeal the section.

46  Subsection 195(1)

Repeal the subsection, substitute:

 (1) If a delegate of the Commission:

 (a) refuses a housing loan under section 14 to an individual; or

 (b) refuses a loan under section 14 to an individual, a body corporate or an unincorporated body to enable the individual or body to engage in a business enterprise; or

 (c) refuses to give a guarantee under section 15 in respect of a housing loan made or to be made to an individual; or

 (d) refuses to give a guarantee under section 15 in respect of a loan made or to be made to an individual, a body corporate or an unincorporated body, where the purpose of the loan is to enable the individual or body to engage in a business enterprise;

the individual or body may, within 30 days after being notified of the refusal or decision, request the Commission to reconsider the matter.

47  At the end of section 195

Add:

 (3) If the Commission has delegated its powers to reconsider a matter and make a decision under subsection (2), subsection (1) does not apply to a refusal or decision by the delegate made in the exercise of those powers.

48  Paragraph 196(1)(aa)

Omit “to an individual to enable the individual”, substitute “to an individual, a body corporate or an unincorporated body to enable the individual or body”.

49  Paragraph 196(1)(b)

Omit “to an individual, where the purpose of the loan is to enable the individual to engage in a business enterprise”, substitute “to an individual, a body corporate or an unincorporated body, where the purpose of the loan is to enable the individual or body to engage in a business enterprise”.

50  Subsection 196(4) (definition of decision made by the Commission)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

decision made by the Commission means:

 (a) a decision made by the Commission itself; or

 (b) a decision made by a delegate of the Commission upon a reconsideration of a decision made by another delegate of the Commission.

 

 

 

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 13 March 2002

Senate on 16 May 2002]

 

 

(70/02)


 

 

Overview

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, amends the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 to address various issues and improve the governance and administration of the Commission. The Act introduces a number of changes, including updating terminology, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and introducing new provisions for the appointment of additional members to Regional Councils. One of the primary objectives of the Act is to enhance the accountability and transparency of the Commission, ensuring that it effectively serves the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Act also aims to strengthen the integrity of the Commission by disqualifying individuals with certain criminal convictions from holding positions of responsibility within the organisation. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002 introduces a range of amendments to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, addressing issues such as the definition of money of the Commission, the process for appointing Regional Councillors, and the circumstances under which a Chairperson or Commissioner may be disqualified from office. Additionally, the Act provides for the reconsideration of certain decisions made by the Commission and its delegates, ensuring that affected individuals and entities have an opportunity to challenge decisions that may have significant consequences for their lives and livelihoods. Through these amendments, the Act seeks to promote good governance and better service delivery within the Commission, ultimately working towards the empowerment and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Scope and Application

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002 amends the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, introducing changes to the eligibility and conduct of individuals involved with the Commission and its regional councils. The Act applies to individuals who are or wish to become members of the Commission or its regional councils, as well as to the Commission itself and its regional councils. The changes include disqualification criteria based on criminal convictions, particularly for those convicted of multiple offences involving dishonesty or imprisonment for a specified duration. Additionally, the Act alters the conditions under which individuals can participate in meetings and be present as chairpersons if they are not members of the respective council. The amendments also modify certain procedural aspects of the Commission, including the handling of budget estimates and the reconsideration of decisions regarding loan refusals. The Act's provisions are applicable nationally, as it is a Commonwealth Act, thereby affecting all jurisdictions within Australia. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but the amendments are specific to the roles and conduct of individuals within the Commission and its regional councils. The application and interpretation of the Act may be further detailed through subordinate instruments or regulations issued under its authority.

Key Provisions

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Act 2002 (C2004A00991) makes several significant changes to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989. Firstly, the Act modifies the eligibility criteria for Commission members and Regional Councillors by adding new disqualification conditions. For instance, section 31(2)(aa) disqualifies individuals convicted of two or more offences against Commonwealth, State, or Territory law and sentenced to a single penalty of imprisonment for one year or longer. Similarly, section 31(2)(c) applies to those convicted of two or more offences involving dishonesty, with a minimum sentence of three months’ imprisonment. These provisions are mirrored in sections 40(7)(aa) and 40(7)(ba) for Regional Councillors. The Act also imposes certain obligations on the parties governed by it. For example, section 44(5A) stipulates that if the Chairperson is not a Commissioner, they are not entitled to participate in any Commission meetings and are treated as not being present for the purposes of determining who presides at the meeting. Furthermore, section 115A(1) requires the Minister to appoint an additional member to a Regional Council if a Regional Councillor is appointed as a Commissioner and there has not been a previous appointment under this section during the current term of the Regional Council. In terms of consequences for breaches, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, the implications of failing to meet the disqualification criteria could result in the loss of eligibility to serve as a Commissioner or Regional Councillor, as established by the new provisions. Additionally, non-compliance with the obligations outlined, such as a Chairperson not participating in meetings as required, could lead to procedural irregularities within the Commission or Regional Councils. These outcomes, while not explicitly criminalised, could result in significant administrative or reputational consequences for the individuals involved.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Indigenous Peoples & Native Title Law
Instrument
Amending Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Repeal & Amendment
Transitional Provisions
Prohibited Conduct

Interactions

Authorises

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.