Byron Bay, New South Wales: Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal), also known as BoBBAC, has a big vision, for a united and cooperative approach to achieving its objectives:

Freedom of information

In accordance with the Australian Government requirement for agencies to be open and transparent with regard to the functions they perform and the information they hold, the Registrar’s website includes an information publishing plan for ORIC and a freedom of information (FOI) disclosure log. In 2017–18:

Call corporation meetings

Under Part 10–2 of the CATSI Act, the Registrar may convene a meeting to discuss a matter affecting a corporation, or call a general meeting or an annual general meeting. This kind of action may be in response to a request by members of the corporation, or because a scheduled meeting was not held, or for some other reason that the Registrar believes warrants it. In such cases the Registrar would either chair the meeting or authorise another person to be the chair.

Promote timely lodgement of annual reports

The CATSI Act emphasises the importance of compliance and reporting as a mechanism to improve transparency and accountability. Not only is access to corporation information important, that information needs to be timely so that members, communities, creditors and government agencies are confident that the public Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations is accurate and up-to-date. This is why ORIC has a strong focus on maintaining high compliance rates with reporting obligations.

The Registrar’s functions include supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to succeed and promoting good governance.

Provide pre-registration service

Pre-registration meetings with groups

ORIC staff often field queries from groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are thinking about incorporating, and wanting more information about their options. Some conversations occur over the phone; in other cases, an ORIC officer will meet with the group to discuss options and determine whether registering under the CATSI Act is appropriate in their circumstances.

The Registrar is responsible for administering the CATSI Act. This involves creating a sustainable regulatory framework to give effect to the legislation.

Conduct research

This yearbook presents data on the full range of functions of the Registrar. ORIC also publishes reports on the following research:

Currently, ORIC measures its performance by output, which helps us to understand the efficiency of our operations. Over the next five years we want to build capability to measure our impact on good governance and trust in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector—our outcomes. For example, we might look at the long-term impact of directors’ training on corporations’ performance.

Vision

Strong corporations, strong people, strong communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations play an important role in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, as well as in the broader Australian society. Our vision is of well-governed corporations that inspire trust in the sector and provide high-value services and benefits to members and communities.

To achieve that vision, ORIC staff operate within a framework—documents below are all offered as PDF—that covers:

It has been a tumultuous year at the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. After 10 years as Registrar, Anthony Beven departed in November 2017. In December, Joe Mastrolembo, the deputy registrar, was appointed Acting Registrar. Then in April 2018, Joe retired and on 1 May, Mike Fordham stepped in as (again, Acting) Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. Yes, three Registrars in one year! But that’s not the only major change in progress, as Mike explains…