EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMISSION (ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES) REGULATIONS
Statutory Rules 1990 No. Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for Aboriginal Affairs.
These Regulations were made under section 201 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 (the Act).
Section 2 01 of the Act provides for the making of regulations by the Governor-General that are not inconsistent with the Act. Paragraph 201 (2)(b) makes provision in relation to the conduct of elections for the purposes of section 127.
The Act at Section 92 establishes a Regional Council for each region. Paragraph 91(1) sets the number of Regional Councils at 60 and these Regional Councils are listed in Schedule 1 of the Act. The functions of Regional Councils are set out in Division 3 of Part 3 of the Act and in broad terms these councils will give Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders more say in the administrative decisions which will affect their lives. Regional Councils will work at the community level developing regional plans to improve the economic, social and cultural lives of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
The regulations for the election of Chairperson and Executive Committee of Regional Councils have been drafted to provide for a system of optional preferential voting in accordance with paragraph 201 (2)(b). They make provision for the election of a Chairperson and 4 Executive Members through secret ballot. The election of the Chairperson is to be concluded before the election for the council executives commences. Detailed provisions are included for nominations, polling, manner of voting, scrutiny and declaration of the polls. Schedules 1 and 2 of the Regulations detail the method of determining successful candidates.
The Regulations took effect from the date of notification in the Gazette.