Rules about meetings

Directors’ meetings

Quorum

Under section 212.20 of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) there must be a majority quorum (or set number of people present) for director's meetings. The quorum must be present at all times during the meeting. This rule cannot be replaced. If a PBC believes that having a majority quorum is not suitable for their circumstances they can apply to the ORIC Registrar for an exemption to the rule. 

A PBC can add extra quorum rules, however. For example, a PBC that represents different groups of native title holders where each group nominates their director/s might add an extra rule for a quorum that requires a minimum number of directors from each group to be present.

Voting

Section 212.25 of the CATSI Act is a replaceable rule requiring resolutions at directors meetings to be passed by the majority of directors.

Whilst most rule books included a rule that decisions in director's meetings are to be made by a majority show of hands, some rule books specify that decisions must be made in a different way. These included making decisions by consensus, considering the role of family and descent groups in decision making and using traditional methods of decision making and elders councils.

Example - Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC 

Ngarluma’s rule book says that resolutions in directors’ meetings are to be made by majority vote. If there is an even vote the board must consult with the council of elders. If after considering the council of elders’ views, the directors’ and votes remain equal the question shall be decided by the members at the next general meeting.

Ngarluma decision-making process

Chairperson

s.212.25 of the CATSI Act is a replaceable rule which states that during directors’ meetings the chairperson has an additional casting vote in addition to any vote they have as a PBC member. Most PBC rule books include this replaceable rule.

General meetings

Quorum

 s.201.70 of the CATSI Act details a quorum requirement for general meetings which is determined by the number of members of the corporation. This is a replaceable rule that PBCs can alter to better suit their needs and circumstances. ORIC’s ‘rulebook info-kit’ and guide to writing good governance rules offer an alternative quorum suggestion for PBCs.

A high percentage of PBCs have changed the default quorum for general meetings: either defined as a percentage of members or a specific number of members. 

Some PBC rule books have an additional quorum requirement related to a family, descent or elder group requirement. These rules include specifications such as requiring at least one member from each family or descent group or a certain number of elder members to be present for general meetings to go ahead.

Voting

Section 201.125 of the CATSI Act is a replaceable rule which outlines how voting is carried out. It states that:A resolution put to the vote at a general meeting must be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded.

  • Before a vote is taken the chair must inform the meeting whether any proxy votes have been received and how the proxy votes are to be cast.
  • On a show of hands, a declaration by the chair is conclusive evidence of the result, provided that the declaration reflects the show of hands and the votes of the proxies received. Neither the chair nor the minutes need to state the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour or against.

Note: Even though the chair's declaration is conclusive of the voting results, the members present may demand a poll (see s.201.130).

This process for voting in general meetings is a replaceable rule and can be changed to better suit a PBC’s needs. A majority of PBCs adopt the default rule, but some prefer to make decisions by consensus. Onlyif consensus is not possible after reasonable effort has been made the resolution can be put to a majority vote. However, most rule books which state that decisions are to be made by consensus do not specify what is meant by consensus.

Some PBC rule books have additional requirements for decision making processes such as specifying that decisions are to be made in accordance with traditional laws and custom, enabling postal voting, requiring a 75% majority and referring tied votes to an elders group.

Other alternative decision making rules in PBC rule books include processes that pay more attention to the family, descent, language and/or lineage groups within the PBC membership group, with smaller groups meeting separately to discuss resolutions before reporting back to the larger group. A few PBCs have developed decision-making flowcharts to visually display the process by which decisions are made.

Example - PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Decision making for the PKKP PBC follows a process by which information is presented to a group as a whole before members split into their language groups to discuss the proposed resolution. Each language group has one vote and if the resolution has an equal amount of votes on each side, it is taken not to have passed.

PKKP Decision-making

Proxy voting

The CATSI Act has a section to allow proxy voting in PBCs. A proxy is someone who attends and votes on behalf of another corporation member at a general meeting. The proxy rule is a replaceable rule within the CATSI Act and PBCs can choose whether or not to include this rule within their rule book. As of January 2017, 78% of PBC rule books included the proxy rule.

The CATSI Act is currently under review. Any amendments made will likely impact on rules about decision making. Keep updated bout the CATSI Act Review on the NIAA website.

Further resources