The Australian National Audit Office’s performance audit of the Central Land Council provides independent proof of the effectiveness of the CLC’s governance arrangements.
“The audit shows that our governance is strong and allows us to effectively represent our people and protect and advocate for their rights and interests,” said CLC chief executive Les Turner.
“We are accountable and transparent and welcome the audit office’s findings.”
The intensive year-long audit started last April and found that the CLC’s governance arrangements are “largely effective” under the relevant laws.
The CLC must comply with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (ALRA), the Native Title Act 1993, and the Public Governance, Performance, and Accountability Act 2013. The ANAO interviewed CLC staff, accessed CLC records and observed council, executive committee and exploration and mining meetings with traditional owners.
It rated the CLC’s arrangements to promote the proper use and management of resources under the PGPA Act as “largely appropriate”.
“It highlighted two matters with inadequate arrangements which we will address by investing further in risk management systems,” Mr Turner said “For each of the ANAO’s 11 recommendations we will apply targeted measures to continuously improve our governance.”
The CLC will publish a six-monthly update on progress on the implementation of these measures and welcomes any follow-up by the ANAO.
See the CLC response to the ANAO report and the ANAO report.
Contact: Sophia Willcocks | 0488 984 885| media@clc.org.au