The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Selwyn Button, has announced the end of the special administration of Aboriginal Prisoners and Offenders Support Services Aboriginal Corporation (APOSS).
On 2 October 2019, a hearing was held in the Supreme Court of South Australia where the court ordered APOSS be wound up and appointed Jack James and Paula Smith of Palisade Consulting as the joint liquidators.
APOSS is located in Adelaide, South Australia. It was funded to provide programs helping prisoners transition to life outside as well as early intervention services aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds at risk of homelessness. They also provided other programs such as domestic violence and temporary accommodation.
Earlier this year, the directors of APOSS requested the appointment of a special administrator citing dysfunction due to the sudden resignation of the former CEO and lack of directors. The primary concern being inability to provide important community services. The Registrar placed APOSS under special administration on 5 April 2019.
The special administrators identified various operational, governance and financial matters that weakened the likelihood of a successful and sustainable restructure. They met with the major funding bodies to discuss their concerns and an agreement was reached that the services be moved onto a better managed and resourced organisation.
‘Although APOSS had good intentions, they took risks to provide extra services without an income stream and were ultimately unable to cover the operating expenses,’ said Mr Button.
‘Corporations that use funding for activities other than for what it was provided without proper negotiation with the funder often find themselves in trouble for failing to deliver the services.’
Although APOSS will be liquidated, the services to community will continue. Pre and post prisoner care services for Indigenous prisoners, including juvenile detainees are now being managed by another Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc.
Background
See the Registrar’s previous media release of 5 April 2019 Service for Aboriginal offenders seeks Registrar’s help (ORIC MR1819-12).
Media contact
Lisa Hugg 0477 762 290
10 October 2019
