The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has today announced the end of the special administration at the Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation.
The corporation manages a tourism business at the popular tourist destination of Standley Chasm—a flora and fauna reserve 50 kilometres west of Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
The corporation was placed under special administration on 3 February 2011 after the directors of the corporation requested assistance from the Registrar. Mr Andrew West of the Adelaide-based firm, Andrew H West & Associates, was appointed as the special administrator.
Before Mr West’s appointment, the corporation had experienced financial difficulties caused by poor financial management and a slowdown in tourism in the Northern Territory. The main focus of the special administration has been to improve the corporation’s financial position.
The Central Land Council was instrumental in bringing the views of the traditional owners to some of the key decision-making processes of the special administration process.
‘Standley Chasm is one of Australia’s finest tourist attractions and the special administration, with the assistance of the Central Land Council, has placed the corporation in a good position to make a full recovery. My office will be available to work closely with the corporation over the next 12 months,’ Mr Beven said.
Mr Bob Kennedy has been appointed to the board of directors as a non-member director. He brings with him the financial acumen and broader experience to bolster corporate governance at the corporation. A new manager has also been appointed to the corporation to oversee daily operations and revitalise the corporation’s services and tourist activities.
Background
Special administration is a special measure under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). For more information see ORIC’s fact sheet Special administrations: what members and directors should know. Also see ORIC’s previous media release: MR1011-23, ‘Standley Chasm operator to receive help’.
31 August 2011
Media contact
Christa De Jager
(02) 6219 7611
Ref: ORIC MR1112-06