Resources and publications

Under the Native Title Act 1993, the Social Justice Commissioner is required to prepare a Native Title Report each year for federal Parliament. Through these reports the Commissioner gives a human rights perspective on native title issues and advocates for practical co-existence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups in using land.

Under the Native Title Act 1993, the Social Justice Commissioner is required to prepare a Native Title Report each year for federal Parliament. Through these reports the Commissioner gives a human rights perspective on native title issues and advocates for practical co-existence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups in using land.

The Indigenous Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management Case Study Project aims to provide evidence-based research and resources to support the development of more effective approaches to managing conflict involving Indigenous Australians.

The objective of the Project is to deliver recognition and support for the solid work that is being carried out and to enable current practices to be refined and extended. Its conclusions are intended to support, consolidate and build on Indigenous knowledge and experience. They are not intended as a substitute for that knowledge and experience.

This fact sheet provides general information for funding agencies, creditors and employees about special administrations under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

This fact sheet provides general information for members and directors of corporations about special administrations under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

This strategic plan sets out our concerns and proposals regarding the use, management and governance of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country, with a particular focus on the protected areas. 

The Indigenous Community Governance Project (ICGP) is an Australian Research Council Linkage Project between the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) at the Australian National University, and Reconciliation Australia (RA). The Project is exploring the nature of Indigenous community governance in diverse contexts and locations across Australia through a series of case studies—to understand what works, what doesn’t work, and why.

This document presents some key messages emerging from a summary of the comparative analysis of the Project’s 11 current Indigenous case studies, after the first phase of a longer study.

This paper argues that weak links are being made between increasing opportunities for economic development (including private home ownership) and the need for Indigenous land tenure reform. The paper draws on a considerable body of background research and analysis, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ collective views about Indigenous land tenure reform and their aspirations for protecting and not diminishing their hard-won gains through native title determinations and statutory land rights grants or acquisitions; the composition and location of the Indigenous estate and
the land titling revolution that has taken place over the past 50 years; the geographic spread of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population around Australia and on the Indigenous estate; the origins of the Commonwealth’s Indigenous land tenure reforms from the Reeves Review of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) in 1997 and its trajectory to June 2016; the current land dealing provisions (private sale, leasing and mortgaging) in the statutory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights schemes and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and how they facilitate or hinder economic development and/or private home ownership aspirations; and how the mainland states and the Northern Territory have (or have not) responded to the Commonwealth’s Indigenous land tenure reform agenda over the past decade.

The native title process has created valuable research resources assembled during the claim research. Although some of this material has come from other sources, the arrangement of the documents coupled with original field research gives a unique description of Indigenous societies and their connections with the land. Also, much of the field material is irreplaceable because the elders who gave the information may have passed away. This connection material is of great value, not only to claimants, but to the wider community because it offers a valuable contribution to Australian history, anthropology, sociology, land management and other disciplines.

Example rule book that corporations can use to make their own rule book that complies with the CATSI Act and suits their needs. This rule book satisfies the requirements for most corporations registering under the CATSI Act. This rule book satisfies the requirements for a constitution under the CATSI Act and includes some good governance ideas. It keeps some of the ‘replaceable rules’ under the CATSI Act, and replaces others. It doesn’t include all of the set law under the CATSI Act.

The rule book info kit is comprehensive and takes advantage of the full range of options under the CATSI Act. It includes extra information and notes to help corporations pick and tailor rules.

It is a longer document which includes set laws from the CATSI Act which cannot be changed (rules that apply to all corporations) as well as:

• rules that must be completed (special to that corporation)
• rules that can be replaced
• laws that can be changed
• rules that are good governance ideas recommended by ORIC.

Additional resources associated with The Rule Book - Info Kit can be found by following this link.

This book contains pictures to help explain some of the concepts within the rule book.

Outlines the 'satisfaction triangle'- a model for decision-making.

This plan is to explain cultural relationship of the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the Wellesley Islands region of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and obligations to the Sea Country, and to outline their ideas and commitments for its sustainable use and management.

Short factsheet about joint ventures.

10 tips for setting director renumeration.

Tips for Independent directors.

Factsheet for Independent directors on Traditional Owner boards.

Short factsheet with tips about procurement.

Factsheet about recruiting an Independent director for an Indigenous Corporation or trust