The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has welcomed changes to the Associations Incorporation Regulations 1988 in Western Australia that will simplify the process for associations to transfer their incorporation to the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).
Under section 10B of the Associations Incorporation Act 1987 (WA) an incorporated association in Western Australia can apply for incorporation as a prescribed body corporate. Previously a corporation registered under the CATSI Act was not included in the definition of a prescribed body corporate.
The Associations Incorporation Regulations 1988 (WA) were amended from 15 April 2015 to recognise corporations incorporated under the CATSI Act as prescribed bodies corporate.
Incorporated associations can now apply to directly transfer their incorporation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation incorporated under the CATSI Act.
‘This change will make transferring a WA association to a CATSI Act-registered corporation more straightforward,’ said Mr Beven. ‘I would like to thank the WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Ms Anne Driscoll, for facilitating this amendment.’
The Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy outlines certain requirements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. Those organisations receiving funding from the Indigenous Affairs portfolio within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of $500 000 or more in a single financial year must incorporate under the CATSI Act.
More information about transferring to the CATSI Act is available on the Registrar’s website at www.oric.gov.au.
Media contact
Lisa Hugg
(02) 6146 4738
ORIC MR1415-30
20 April 2015