Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 1‑1—Preliminary

Division 1—Preliminary

1‑1 Short title

1‑5 Commencement

1‑10 Act binds Crown

1‑15 Geographical application of Act

1‑20 Act applies regardless of residence, place of formation etc.

1‑25 Objects of this Act

1‑30 Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

1‑35 Interpretative provisions

Part 1‑2—Overview of Act

Division 6—Overview of Act

6‑1 Overview of Act

6‑5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

6‑10 Basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

6‑15 Members and observers

6‑20 Meetings

6‑25 Officers

6‑30 Record keeping, reporting requirements and books

6‑35 Civil consequences of contravening civil penalty provisions

6‑40 Lodgments and registers

6‑45 Regulation and enforcement

6‑50 External administration

6‑55 Transfer of registration, deregistration and unclaimed property

6‑60 Offences

6‑65 Courts and proceedings

6‑70 Administration

6‑75 Registrar and Deputy Registrars of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

6‑80 Interpreting this Act

Chapter 2—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Part 2‑1—Introduction

Division 16—Introduction

16‑1 What this Chapter is about

16‑5 Meaning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Part 2‑2—Applications for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Division 21—Application for new registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

21‑1 Application for registration

21‑5 Matters to accompany application

21‑10 Registrar may seek further information

Division 22—Application to register existing body corporate under Part 2‑3

22‑1 Application for registration

22‑5 Matters to accompany application

22‑10 Registrar may seek further information

Division 23—Application to register amalgamated corporation under Part 2‑3

23‑1 Application for registration

23‑5 Matters to accompany application

23‑10 Registrar may seek further information

Part 2‑3—Decisions on applications

Division 26—Registrar to decide application

26‑1 Registrar to decide application

26‑5 Registrar may grant application if application is incomplete etc.

26‑10 Registrar may grant application if some basic requirements are not met

26‑15 Registrar not to register trade unions etc.

Division 29—What are the basic requirements for registration?

29‑1 Minimum number of members requirement

29‑5 Indigeneity requirement

29‑10 Age of members requirement

29‑15 Pre‑incorporation requirement

29‑17 Pre‑transfer of registration requirement

29‑18 Creditor notice requirement

29‑19 Pre‑amalgamation requirements

29‑20 Internal governance rules requirement

29‑25 Name requirement

Division 32—Decisions on applications

32‑1 Successful applications

32‑5 Unsuccessful applications

Part 2‑4—Registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

Division 37—Registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

37‑1 Registrar to register Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

37‑5 Registrar may alter registered size of corporation after registration

37‑10 Small, medium and large corporations

37‑15 When an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation controls an entity

37‑20 Counting employees

37‑25 Accounting standards

Part 2‑5—Effects of registration

Division 42—Effects of registration

42‑1 Corporation comes into existence on registration

42‑3 Effect of registration of existing body corporate under Part 2‑3

42‑4 Effect of registration of amalgamated corporation under Part 2‑3

42‑5 Corporation’s name

42‑10 Members, directors, corporation secretary and contact person of corporation

42‑15 Registered office

42‑20 Document access address

42‑25 Corporation may have common seal

42‑30 Vesting of property in corporation on registration

42‑35 Body corporate registered as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (liability of members on winding up)

42‑40 Body corporate registered as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (modification by regulations)

42‑45 Registration of amalgamated corporation (liability of members on winding up)

42‑50 Registration of amalgamated corporation (modification by regulations)

Part 2‑6—Arrangements and reconstructions

Division 45—Application of Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions

45‑1 Applying Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Chapter 3—Basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Part 3‑1—Introduction

Division 52—Introduction

52‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 3‑2—Rules dealing with the internal governance of corporations

Division 57—Introduction

57‑1 What this Part is about

57‑5 List of internal governance rules

Division 60—What are the replaceable rules and when do they apply to a corporation?

60‑1 Replaceable rules

60‑5 Corporation’s constitution can modify or replace replaceable rules

60‑10 Effect of constitution and replaceable rules

60‑15 Failure to comply with replaceable rules

60‑20 Modification by regulations

Division 63—What are the internal governance rules of a corporation?

63‑1 Meaning of internal governance rules

Division 66—What are the internal governance rules requirements?

66‑1 Requirements

66‑5 Meaning of cover the matters provided for in the replaceable rules

Division 69—Constitutions and amendment and replacement of constitutions

Subdivision 69‑A—Constitution on registration

69‑1 Constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Subdivision 69‑B—Constitutional changes after registration

69‑5 Overview—ways a constitution may be changed

69‑10 Meaning of constitutional change etc.

69‑15 Extra requirements for constitutional change in constitution

69‑20 Corporation to lodge copy of constitutional changes

69‑25 Special administrator to lodge copy of constitutional changes

69‑30 Registrar to determine if constitutional change should be registered

69‑35 Registrar may change an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution on own initiative

69‑40 Date of effect of constitutional change

Division 72—Other matters concerning constitutions etc.

72‑1 Registrar may direct corporation to lodge constitution

72‑5 Corporation must provide governance material to members

72‑10 Constitution may limit powers

Part 3‑3—Minimum number of members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Division 77—Minimum number of members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

77‑1 What this Part is about

77‑5 Minimum number of members requirement

77‑10 Registrar may exempt if appropriate and reasonable to do so

77‑15 Registrar may determine a different number to number requested

77‑20 Earlier determination taken to be revoked

77‑25 Notice to be given

Part 3‑4—Names

Division 82—Introduction

82‑1 What this Part is about

Division 85—What names may a corporation have?

85‑1 Corporation’s name requirements

85‑5 Available names

85‑10 Acceptable abbreviations

85‑15 Using a name and ICN on documents

85‑20 Exception to requirement to have ICN on receipts

85‑25 Regulations may exempt from requirement to set out information on documents

Division 88—How is a corporation’s name changed?

88‑1 Corporation changing its name

88‑5 Registrar’s power to direct corporation to change its name

88‑10 If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation becomes a registered native title body corporate

88‑15 If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation ceases to be a registered native title body corporate

88‑20 Registrar must issue new certificate if name changes

88‑25 Effect of name change

Part 3‑5—Corporation powers and how they are exercised

Division 93—Introduction

93‑1 What this Part is about

Division 96—What are a corporation’s powers?

96‑1 Legal capacity and powers

Division 99—How are a corporation’s powers exercised?

99‑1 Agent exercising a corporation’s power to make contracts etc.

99‑5 Execution of documents (including deeds) by the corporation itself

Part 3‑6—Assumptions people dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are entitled to make

Division 104—Assumptions people dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are entitled to make

104‑1 Entitlement to make assumptions

104‑5 Assumptions that can be made under section 104‑1

104‑10 Information available to the public from Registrar does not constitute constructive notice

Part 3‑7—Registered office or document access address

Division 109—Introduction

109‑1 What this Part is about

Division 112—Registered office

112‑1 General

112‑5 Corporation to have registered office

112‑10 Registrar may change address of registered office to a director’s address

112‑15 Corporation’s name must be displayed

112‑20 Address of registered office etc.

Division 115—Document access address

115‑1 Division applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered as small or medium corporations

115‑5 Corporation to have document access address

115‑10 Registrar may change document access address to a director’s address

115‑15 Registrar may direct corporation to change the location of its document access address

115‑20 Address of document access address

Part 3‑8—Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Division 120—Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

120‑1 Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Chapter 4—Members and observers

Part 4‑1—Introduction

Division 130—Introduction

130‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 4‑2—Members

Division 135—Introduction

135‑1 What this Part is about

Division 138—Who is a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

138‑1 Meaning of member

Division 141—Membership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Subdivision 141‑A—Introduction

141‑1 Overview

Subdivision 141‑B—Ongoing requirements relating to membership that are imposed on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

141‑5 Minimum number of members requirement

141‑10 Indigeneity requirement

141‑15 Age of members requirement

Subdivision 141‑C—A person’s eligibility for membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

141‑20 Eligibility for membership

141‑25 Corporation may have other eligibility requirements for membership

Division 144—How to become a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

144‑1 How does a person become a member?

144‑5 Application to corporation

144‑10 Determination of applications for membership

144‑15 Fees for membership and being an observer

Division 147—Obligations of members

147‑1 Obligation to contribute on winding up

147‑5 Corporation may impose other member obligations

147‑10 Liability of corporation members

Division 150—How does a person cease to be a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

Subdivision 150‑A—General

150‑1 Cessation of membership

Subdivision 150‑B—Resignation of membership

150‑10 Resignation

Subdivision 150‑C—Cancellation of membership

150‑15 General

150‑20 Member of corporation that is not a registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc. (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

150‑22 Member of registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc.

150‑25 Member not contactable

150‑30 Member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person

150‑35 Member misbehaves

Division 153—Can there be different classes of members?

153‑1 Different classes of members

Part 4‑3—Observers

Division 158—Observers

158‑1 What this Part is about

158‑5 Observers

Part 4‑4—Protection of members’ interests

Division 163—Rights and remedies to protect interests of members

163‑1 Rights and remedies

Division 166—Oppressive conduct of affairs

166‑1 Grounds for Court order

166‑5 Orders the Court can make

166‑10 Who can apply for an order?

166‑15 Requirement for person to lodge order

Division 169—When may a person bring or intervene in proceedings on behalf of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

169‑1 Bringing, or intervening in, proceedings on behalf of a corporation

169‑5 Applying for and granting leave

169‑10 Substitution of another person for the person granted leave

169‑15 Effect of ratification by members

169‑20 Leave to discontinue, compromise or settle proceedings brought, or intervened in, with leave

169‑25 General powers of the Court

169‑30 Power of the Court to make costs orders

Division 172—What protections apply to variations or cancellations of class rights?

172‑1 Varying and cancelling class rights

172‑5 Certain actions taken to vary rights etc

172‑10 Variation, cancellation or modification without unanimous support of class

172‑15 Variation, cancellation or modification with unanimous support of class

Division 175—When may a member inspect a corporation’s books?

175‑1 Order for inspection of books of corporation

175‑5 Ancillary orders

175‑10 Disclosure of information acquired in inspection

175‑15 Corporation or directors may allow member to inspect books (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Part 4‑5—Registers of members and former members

Division 180—Registers of members and former members

180‑1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to maintain register of members

180‑5 Information on the register of members

180‑10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to maintain register of former members

180‑15 Information on the register of former members

180‑20 Location and inspection of registers

180‑22 Register of members and register of former members may be maintained in one document

180‑25 Right to inspect and get copies

180‑30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to make register of members available at AGM

180‑35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to give Registrar copy of register of members or register of former members

180‑40 Correction of register of members or register of former members

180‑45 Evidentiary value of registers

Division 183—Use of information on the register of members or register of former members

183‑1 Use of information on register of members or register of former members

Part 4‑6—Exemption from operation of certain provisions of this Chapter

Division 187—Exemption from operation of certain provisions of this Chapter

187‑1 What this Part is about

187‑5 Exemption from certain provisions of this Chapter

187‑10 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

187‑15 Registrar’s power to make determinations

187‑20 Criteria for determinations

Chapter 5—Meetings

Part 5‑1—Introduction

Division 193—Introduction

193‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 5‑2—General meetings

Division 198—Introduction

198‑1 What this Part is about

Division 201—What are the rules concerning general meetings?

Subdivision 201‑A—Who may call general meetings?

201‑1 Director may call meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑5 Request by members for directors to call general meetings

201‑10 When must directors comply with members’ request?

201‑15 When must a requested meeting be held?

Subdivision 201‑B—How to call general meetings

201‑20 Amount of notice of general meetings

201‑25 Notice of general meeting to members, officers and observers

201‑30 Auditor entitled to notice and other communications

201‑35 Contents of notice of general meeting

Subdivision 201‑C—Members’ rights to put resolutions etc. to general meeting

201‑40 Members’ resolutions

201‑45 Notice of members’ resolutions

201‑50 Members’ statements to be distributed

Subdivision 201‑D—Holding general meetings

201‑55 Purpose

201‑60 Time and place for general meeting

201‑65 Technology

201‑70 Quorum

201‑75 Chairing general meeting (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑80 Auditor’s right to be heard at general meetings

201‑85 Adjourned meetings

Subdivision 201‑E—Proxies

201‑90 Who may appoint a proxy (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑95 Rights of proxies

201‑100 Appointing a proxy

201‑105 Proxy documents

201‑110 Body corporate representative

Subdivision 201‑F—Voting at general meetings

201‑115 How many votes a member has (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑120 Objections to right to vote (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑125 How voting is carried out (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

201‑130 Matters on which a poll may be demanded

201‑135 When a poll is effectively demanded

201‑140 When and how polls must be taken (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Subdivision 201‑G—First general meeting and annual general meetings

201‑145 Corporation must hold first general meeting within 3 months of registration

201‑150 Corporation must hold AGM

201‑155 Extension of time for holding AGM

201‑160 Business of AGM

201‑165 Questions and comments by members on corporation management at AGM

201‑170 Questions by members of auditors at AGM

Division 204—Resolutions without a general meeting

204‑1 Circulating resolutions

204‑5 Resolutions of 1 member corporations

Part 5‑3—Directors’ meetings

Division 209—Introduction

209‑1 What this Part is about

Division 212—What are the rules concerning directors’ meetings?

212‑1 Constitution to provide for meetings

212‑5 Calling directors’ meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

212‑10 Use of technology

212‑15 Chairing directors’ meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

212‑20 Quorum at directors’ meetings

212‑25 Passing of directors’ resolutions (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Division 215—Resolutions and declarations without meetings

215‑1 Circulating resolutions of corporation with more than 1 director (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

215‑5 Resolutions and declarations of 1 director corporation

Part 5‑4—Minutes of meetings

Division 220—Minutes of meetings

220‑1 What this Part is about

220‑5 Minutes

220‑10 Members’ access to minutes

Part 5‑5—Exemption from operation of this Chapter

Division 225—Exemption from operation of this Chapter

225‑1 What this Part is about

225‑5 Exemption from the provisions of this Chapter

225‑10 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

225‑15 Registrar’s power to make determinations

225‑20 Criteria for determinations

Chapter 6—Officers

Part 6‑1—Introduction

Division 235—Introduction

235‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 6‑2—Appointment, remuneration and cessation of appointment of directors

Division 240—Introduction

240‑1 What this Part is about

Division 243—Number of directors

243‑1 Minimum number of directors

243‑5 Maximum number of directors

Division 246—Appointment of directors

246‑1 Eligibility for appointment as a director

246‑5 Majority of director requirements

246‑10 Consent to act as director

246‑15 Corporation may appoint a director (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

246‑20 Directors may appoint other directors to make up a quorum (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

246‑25 Term of appointment

246‑30 Alternate directors (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

246‑35 Effectiveness of acts by directors

Division 249—Resignation, retirement or removal of directors

249‑1 How does a person cease to be a director?

249‑5 Director may resign

249‑10 Removal by members

249‑15 Removal by other directors

Division 252—Remuneration of directors

252‑1 Remuneration

252‑5 Members may obtain information about directors’ remuneration

Part 6‑3—Appointment of secretaries and contact persons

Division 257—Appointment of secretaries and contact persons

257‑1 What this Part is about

257‑5 Requirement to have a secretary or contact person

257‑10 Who may be a secretary or contact person

257‑15 Consent to act as secretary or contact person

257‑20 How a secretary or contact person is appointed

257‑25 Director to be contact person in certain circumstances

257‑30 Contact person must pass on communications received

257‑35 Secretary must pass on communications received

257‑40 Effectiveness of acts by secretaries

257‑45 Terms and conditions of office for secretaries (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

257‑50 Terms and conditions of contact person’s appointment (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Part 6‑4—Duties and powers of directors and other officers and employees

Division 262—Introduction

262‑1 What this Part is about

Division 265—General duties

265‑1 Care and diligence—civil obligation only

265‑5 Good faith—civil obligations

265‑10 Use of position—civil obligations

265‑15 Use of information—civil obligations

265‑20 Acts done to comply with Native Title legislation obligations

265‑25 Good faith, use of position and use of information—criminal offences

265‑30 Interaction of sections 265‑1 to 265‑25 with other laws etc.

265‑35 Directors of wholly‑owned subsidiaries

265‑40 Responsibility of secretaries for certain contraventions

265‑45 Meaning of reasonable reliance on information or advice provided by others

265‑50 Responsibility for actions of delegate

Division 268—Duties in relation to disclosure of, and voting on matters involving, material personal interests

268‑1 Material personal interest—director’s duty to disclose

268‑5 Interest as common law holder of native title

268‑10 Director may give other directors standing notice about an interest

268‑15 Interaction of sections 268‑1 and 268‑10 with other laws etc.

268‑20 Restrictions on voting

268‑25 Registrar’s power to make declarations and class orders

Division 271—Duty to discharge certain trust liabilities

271‑1 Directors liable for debts and other obligations incurred by corporation as trustee

Division 274—Powers of directors

274‑1 Powers of directors (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

274‑5 Negotiable instruments (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

274‑10 Delegation

274‑15 Right of access to corporation books

Part 6‑5—Disqualification from managing corporations

Division 279—Disqualification from managing corporations

279‑1 Disqualified person not to manage corporations

279‑5 Automatic disqualification

279‑10 Extension of period of automatic disqualification

279‑15 Court power of disqualification—contravention of civil penalty provision

279‑20 Court power of disqualification—insolvency and non‑payment of debts

279‑25 Court power of disqualification—repeated contraventions of Act

279‑30 Registrar’s power of disqualification

279‑35 Court power to grant leave

Part 6‑6—Member approval needed for related party benefit

Division 284—Need for member approval

284‑1 Need for member approval for financial benefit

284‑5 Consequences of breach

284‑10 Exemptions

Division 287—Exceptions to the requirement for member approval

287‑1 Remuneration and reimbursement for officer or employee

287‑5 Benefit to or by closely‑held subsidiary

287‑10 Benefits to members that do not discriminate unfairly

287‑12 Benefits given to comply with Native Title legislation obligations

287‑15 Court order

Division 290—Procedure for obtaining member approval

290‑1 Resolution may specify matters by class or kind

290‑5 Corporation must lodge material that will be put to members with the Registrar

290‑10 Requirements for explanatory statement to members

290‑15 Registrar may comment on proposed resolution

290‑20 Requirements for notice of meeting

290‑25 Other material put to members

290‑30 Proposed resolution cannot be varied

290‑35 Voting by or on behalf of related party interested in proposed resolution

290‑40 Voting on the resolution

290‑45 Notice of resolution to be lodged

290‑50 Declaration by court of substantial compliance

Division 293—Related parties and financial benefits

293‑1 Related parties

293‑5 Giving a financial benefit

Division 296—Interaction with other rules

296‑1 General duties still apply

Part 6‑7—Public information about directors, secretaries and contact persons

Division 301—Introduction

301‑1 What this Part is about

Division 304—Information to be provided

304‑1 Director, alternate director, secretary or contact person may notify the Registrar of resignation or retirement

304‑5 Notice of name and address of directors and secretaries to the Registrar

304‑10 Director, alternate director, secretary and contact person must give information to corporation

304‑15 Address for officers

Division 307—Registrar may ask for information

307‑1 Registrar’s power to ask for information about person’s position as director, secretary or contact person

Part 6‑8—Exemption from operation of certain provisions of this Chapter

310‑1 What this Part is about

310‑5 Exemption from certain provisions of this Chapter

310‑10 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

310‑15 Registrar’s power to make determinations

310‑20 Criteria for determinations

Chapter 7—Record keeping, reporting requirements and books

Part 7‑1—Introduction

Division 317—Introduction

317‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 7‑2—Record keeping requirements

Division 322—Record keeping requirements

322‑1 What this Part is about

322‑5 Obligation to keep copy of constitution and records about officers, contact person, etc.

322‑10 Obligation to keep financial records

322‑15 Physical format

322‑20 Place where records are kept

322‑25 Director access

Part 7‑3—Reporting requirements

Division 327—Overview of reporting obligations

327‑1 Reports that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must prepare and lodge

Division 330—General report for each financial year

330‑1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must prepare a general report each financial year

330‑5 Contents of general report

330‑10 General report to be lodged with Registrar

Division 333—Financial and other reports required by the regulations

333‑1 What this Division is about

333‑5 Regulations may require financial reports, directors’ reports and other reports to be prepared

333‑10 Contents of reports

333‑15 Other requirements in relation to report

333‑20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to obtain audit report if audit required

Division 336—Registrar may increase reporting requirements

336‑1 Registrar may require additional report, or otherwise increase reporting requirements, for particular corporation

336‑5 Registrar may require additional reports, or otherwise increase reporting requirements, for class of corporation

Division 339—Audit of financial reports

Subdivision 339‑A—Introduction

339‑1 What this Division is about

339‑5 Application of Division

339‑10 When financial report required to comply with accounting standards

339‑15 When audit required to be conducted in accordance with auditing standards

339‑20 Lead and review auditors

339‑25 Professional members of the audit team

Subdivision 339‑B—Conduct of the audit

339‑30 Auditor to form opinion

339‑35 Auditor obligations in relation to auditing standards

339‑40 Auditor’s report

339‑45 Other requirements in relation to auditor’s report

339‑50 Auditor’s independence declaration

339‑55 Audit working papers to be retained for 7 years

Subdivision 339‑C—Qualification, experience and registration

339‑60 Qualification and experience: individual auditor

339‑65 Qualification and experience: audit firm

339‑70 Registration requirements for appointment of company as auditor

Subdivision 339‑D—Auditor independence

339‑75 Independence of auditors: application of Corporations Act auditor independence provisions

339‑80 Independence of auditors: alternative independence requirements

Subdivision 339‑E—Auditor’s powers and duties

339‑85 Auditor’s power to obtain information

339‑90 Reporting to the Registrar

339‑95 Assisting auditor

Subdivision 339‑F—Appointment and removal of auditors

339‑100 Appointment and removal of auditors

Division 342—Financial reporting to members

342‑1 What this Division is about

342‑5 Annual financial reporting to members

342‑10 Deadline for giving member copy of report

Division 345—Consolidated financial report

345‑1 Directors and officers of controlled entity to give information

345‑5 Auditor’s power to obtain information from controlled entity

345‑10 Controlled entity to assist auditor

345‑15 Application of sections 345‑1 to 345‑10 to entity that has ceased to be controlled

Division 348—Lodging reports

348‑1 Lodging annual reports with the Registrar

348‑5 Relodgment if report amended after lodgment

Part 7‑4—Registrar may exempt from record keeping and reporting requirements

Division 353—Registrar may exempt from record keeping and reporting requirements

353‑1 What this Part is about

353‑3 Exemption from the provisions of this Chapter

353‑5 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

353‑10 Registrar’s power to make determinations

Part 7‑5—Criteria for determining level of reporting requirements

Division 358—Criteria for determining level of reporting requirements

358‑1 What this Part is about

358‑5 Criteria for determinations about level of reporting requirements

358‑10 Reporting obligations

Part 7‑6—Sanctions for contraventions of record keeping and reporting requirements

Division 363—Sanctions for contraventions of record keeping and reporting requirements

363‑1 Sanctions

Part 7‑7—Modifications of record keeping and reporting requirements by regulations

Division 368—Modifications of record keeping and reporting requirements by regulations

368‑1 Modification by regulations

Part 7‑8—Books

Division 373—Introduction

373‑1 What this Part is about

Division 376—When and where may books be inspected?

376‑1 Inspection of books

376‑5 Translations of instruments and books

376‑10 Court may compel compliance

376‑15 Admissibility of books in evidence

376‑20 Form of books

376‑25 Protection of books

376‑30 Evidentiary value

376‑35 Falsification of books

Chapter 8—Civil consequences of contravening civil penalty provisions

Division 386—Civil consequences of contravening civil penalty provisions

386‑1 Declarations of contravention

386‑5 Declaration of contravention is conclusive evidence

386‑10 Pecuniary penalty orders

386‑15 Compensation orders—civil penalty provisions

386‑20 Who may apply for a declaration or order

386‑25 Time limit for application for a declaration or order

386‑30 Civil evidence and procedure rules for declarations of contravention and civil penalty orders

386‑35 Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings

386‑40 Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings

386‑45 Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings

386‑50 Evidence given in proceedings for penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings

386‑55 Registrar requiring person to assist

386‑60 Relief from liability for contravention of civil penalty provision

Chapter 9—Lodgments and registers

Part 9‑1—Introduction

Division 396—Introduction

396‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 9‑2—Lodgments with the Registrar

Division 401—Introduction

401‑1 What this Part is about

Division 404—What is the form in which documents may be lodged?

404‑1 Forms for documents to be lodged with the Registrar

404‑5 Signing documents lodged with the Registrar

404‑10 Documents lodged with the Registrar electronically

404‑15 Relodging of lost registered documents

Division 407—Registrar’s powers

407‑1 Registrar may refuse to receive or register documents

407‑5 Registrar may require additional information

407‑10 Registrar may require information from persons on a register

407‑15 Telephone or email notice of certain changes

407‑20 Registrar may destroy or dispose of lodged documents

Division 410—Courts power if documents not lodged

410‑1 Court may make certain orders

Part 9‑3—Registers

Division 415—Introduction

415‑1 What this Part is about

Division 418—Registers to be kept

418‑1 Registers

418‑5 Form of registers

418‑10 Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

418‑15 Register of Disqualified Officers

Division 421—What information may a person obtain from the Registrar?

421‑1 Inspection and production of records

421‑5 Requests and certification of copy or extract etc.

Division 424—Validity and use of information etc. obtained from a register

424‑1 Validity of copy or extract

424‑5 Use in court proceedings etc. of documents issued by Registrar

424‑10 Registrar’s certificate that person was a director etc.

Chapter 10—Regulation and enforcement

Part 10‑1—Introduction

Division 434—Introduction

434‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 10‑2—Regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Division 439—Regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

439‑1 What this Part is about

439‑5 Registrar may convene meetings of interested persons

439‑10 Registrar may call a general meeting (other than an AGM)

439‑15 Registrar may call an AGM

439‑20 Registrar may require compliance with Act etc.

Part 10‑3—Enforcement

Division 444—Introduction

444‑1 What this Part is about

Division 447—Authorised officers

447‑1 Appointment of authorised officers

447‑5 Identity cards

Division 450—Purposes for which powers under this Part may be exercised

450‑1 Purposes for which power under this Part may be exercised

Division 453—Examination of books and persons

453‑1 Examination of books

453‑5 Production of books or attendance to answer questions

453‑10 Remuneration of authorised officer

Division 456—Warrants for books not produced

Subdivision 456‑A—Warrants applied for in person

456‑1 Application for warrant to seize books not produced

456‑5 Grant of warrant

456‑10 Powers where books produced or seized

Subdivision 456‑B—Warrants by telephone or other electronic means

456‑15 Applying for warrants by telephone or other electronic means

456‑20 Issuing warrants by telephone etc.

456‑25 Unsigned warrants by telephone etc. in court proceedings

Subdivision 456‑C—Offences relating to warrants by telephone or other electronic means

456‑30 Offence for stating incorrect names in warrants by telephone etc.

456‑35 Offence for unauthorised form of warrant

456‑40 Offence for execution etc. of unauthorised form of warrant

456‑45 Offence for giving unexecuted form of warrant

Subdivision 456‑D—Warrant details to be given to occupier

456‑50 Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.

Part 10‑4—Offences relating to regulatory and enforcement powers of Registrar

Division 461—Offences relating to regulatory and enforcement powers of Registrar

461‑1 Obstructing Registrar or interfering with meeting called by Registrar etc.

461‑5 False information

461‑10 Concealing books relevant to investigation

461‑15 Self‑incrimination

Part 10‑5—Protection for whistleblowers

Division 466—Which disclosures qualify for protection under this Part?

466‑1 Disclosures qualifying for protection

Division 469—Effects of disclosure

469‑1 Disclosure that qualifies for protection not actionable etc.

469‑5 Victimisation prohibited

469‑10 Right to compensation

Division 472—Confidentiality requirement

472‑1 Confidentiality requirements for corporations, corporation officers and employees and auditors

Chapter 11—External administration

Part 11‑1—Introduction

Division 482—Introduction

482‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 11‑2—Special administration

Division 487—Special administration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

487‑1 Registrar may put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under special administration

487‑5 Grounds for special administration

487‑10 Show cause notice procedure

487‑15 Extension of period of special administration

487‑20 Registrar may terminate special administration

487‑25 References to corporation under special administration

Division 490—Appointment of special administrator

490‑1 Registrar may appoint special administrator

490‑5 Period of appointment

Division 493—Notice requirements

493‑1 Notice of special administration determination or appointment of special administrator

Division 496—Effect of appointment of special administrator on officers of the corporation

496‑1 General rule that offices of directors and secretary vacated when special administrator appointed

496‑5 Registrar may determine that offices not vacated in certain circumstances

496‑10 Powers of officers can only be exercised by, or with the consent of, special administrator

496‑15 Only special administrator can deal with corporation’s property

496‑20 Order for compensation where officer involved in void transaction

Division 499—Function, duties and powers of special administrator

499‑1 Function of special administrator

499‑5 Powers of special administrator

499‑10 Applying Corporations Act provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is under special administration

Division 502—Special administrator to report to Registrar

502‑1 Report to Registrar

Division 505—Termination of special administrator’s appointment

505‑1 Termination of appointment of special administrator

505‑5 Grounds for terminating appointment

505‑10 Registrar to appoint new special administrator in certain circumstances

Division 508—Transition to normal control of the corporation’s affairs at end of special administration

508‑1 Special administrator to ensure that there will be directors when corporation ceases to be under special administration

508‑5 Election of directors to take over affairs of corporation when corporation ceases to be under special administration

Division 511—Miscellaneous

511‑1 Remuneration of special administrator

Part 11‑3—Receivers, and other controllers, of property of corporations

Division 516—Receivers, and other controllers, of property of corporations

516‑1 Applying Corporations Act receiver provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Part 11‑4—Administration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s affairs with a view to executing a deed of corporation arrangement

Division 521—Administration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s affairs with a view to executing a deed of corporation arrangement

521‑1 Applying Corporations Act administration provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

521‑5 Administrator’s capacity to act as trustee

521‑10 Corporations Act administrator cannot be appointed if special administrator appointed

521‑15 Effect of appointment of special administrator on Corporations Act administrator

Part 11‑5—Winding up

Division 526—Winding up

526‑1 Court may order winding up

526‑5 Grounds for Court ordered winding up

526‑10 Acts etc. done to comply with Native Title legislation requirement

526‑15 Who may apply to court for winding up order

526‑20 Voluntary winding up

526‑25 Distribution of surplus assets in winding up by Court

526‑30 Distribution of surplus assets in voluntary winding up

526‑35 Applying Corporations Act winding up provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

526‑40 Application of Corporations Act pre‑winding up provisions

Part 11‑6—Insolvent trading and creditor‑defeating dispositions

Division 531—Insolvent trading and creditor‑defeating dispositions

531‑1 Applying Corporations Act insolvent trading and creditor‑defeating disposition provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

531‑5 Sections 588G, 588GAB and 588GAC of Corporations Act prevail over conflicting Native Title legislation obligations

Part 11‑7—Employees’ entitlements

Division 536—Employees’ entitlements

536‑1 Applying Corporations Act employees’ entitlements provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Chapter 12—Transfer of registration, deregistration and unclaimed property

Part 12‑1—Transfer of registration to another system

Division 540—Transfer of registration

540‑1 Transferring registration

540‑5 Applying to transfer registration

540‑10 Registrar makes transfer of registration declaration

540‑15 Registrar to deregister corporation

Part 12‑2—Deregistration

Division 546—Deregistration

546‑1 Deregistration—voluntary

546‑5 Deregistration—Registrar initiated

546‑10 Deregistration—following amalgamation or winding up

546‑15 Registered native title body corporate

546‑20 Effect of deregistration

546‑25 What the Registrar does with the property

546‑30 Registrar’s power to fulfil outstanding obligations of deregistered corporation

546‑35 Claims against insurers of deregistered corporation

546‑40 Reinstatement

546‑45 Regulations may modify Division in relation to statutory Indigenous land trusts

Part 12‑3—Unclaimed property

Division 551—Unclaimed property

551‑1 Unclaimed property

551‑5 Registrar to deal with unclaimed property

551‑10 Registrar and Commonwealth not liable to pay calls on shares etc.

551‑15 Disposition of money that is unclaimed property etc.

551‑20 Establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations Unclaimed Money Account

551‑25 Credits of amounts to Account

551‑30 Purposes of Account

551‑35 Claims of disposition of money to incorrect payee

551‑40 Commonwealth or Registrar not liable for loss or damage

Chapter 13—Offences

Part 13‑1—Offences about false or misleading statements etc.

Division 561—Offences about false or misleading statements etc.

561‑1 False or misleading statements

561‑5 False information etc.

Part 13‑2—General matters relating to offences

Division 566—General matters relating to offences

566‑1 Penalties for bodies corporate

566‑5 Penalty notices

566‑10 Continuing offences

566‑15 Time for instituting criminal proceedings

566‑20 Privilege against self‑incrimination not available to bodies corporate in certain proceedings

566‑25 Certain persons to assist in prosecutions

Chapter 14—Courts and proceedings

Part 14‑1—Powers of courts

Division 576—Powers of courts

576‑1 Power to grant relief

576‑5 Power of Court to give directions with respect to meetings ordered by the Court

576‑10 Appeals from decisions of receivers, liquidators etc.

576‑15 Irregularities

576‑20 Power of Court to prohibit payment or transfer of money, financial products or other property

576‑25 Injunctions

576‑30 Effect of sections 576‑20 and 576‑25

576‑35 Power of Court to punish for contempt of Court

Part 14‑2—Proceedings

Division 581—Proceedings

581‑1 The Registrar’s power to intervene in proceedings

581‑5 Civil proceedings not to be stayed

581‑10 Standard of proof

581‑15 Evidence of contravention

581‑20 Costs

581‑25 Vesting of property

581‑30 Civil proceedings in relation to registered native title bodies corporate

Part 14‑3—Jurisdiction and procedure of courts

Division 586—Civil jurisdiction

Subdivision 586‑A—Introduction

586‑1 Operation of Division

Subdivision 586‑B—Conferral of jurisdiction

586‑5 Jurisdiction of Federal Court and State and Territory Supreme Courts

586‑10 Jurisdiction of Family Court and State Family Courts

586‑15 Jurisdiction of courts (decisions to prosecute and related criminal justice process decisions made by Commonwealth officers)

586‑20 Jurisdiction of lower courts

586‑25 Appeals

586‑30 Courts to act in aid of each other

Subdivision 586‑C—Transfer of proceedings

586‑35 Transfer of proceedings by the Federal Court and State and Territory Supreme Courts

586‑40 Transfer of proceedings by Family Court and State Family Courts

586‑45 Transfer of proceedings in lower courts

586‑50 Further matters for a court to consider when deciding whether to transfer a proceeding

586‑55 Transfer may be made at any stage

586‑60 Transfer of documents

586‑65 Conduct of proceedings

586‑70 Rights of appearance

586‑75 Limitation on appeals

Subdivision 586‑D—Rules of court

586‑80 Rules of the Federal Court

586‑85 Rules of the Supreme Court

586‑90 Rules of the Family Court

Division 589—Criminal jurisdiction

589‑1 Operation of Division

589‑5 Jurisdiction of courts

589‑10 Laws to be applied

Chapter 15—Administration

Part 15‑1—Introduction

Division 599—Introduction

599‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 15‑2—Protection of information

Division 604—Protection of information

604‑1 What this Part is about

604‑5 Protected information

604‑10 Registrar’s obligations in relation to protected information

604‑15 Special administrator’s obligations in relation to protected information

604‑20 Consultant’s obligations in relation to protected information

604‑25 Authorised use or disclosure

Part 15‑3—Protection from liability for Registrar, Minister etc.

Division 609—Protection from liability for Registrar, Minister etc.

609‑1 Protection from liability for Minister, Registrar etc.

Part 15‑4—Review of decisions

Division 614—Introduction

614‑1 What this Part is about

Division 617—Reviewable decisions

617‑1 Reviewable decisions

617‑5 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions

617‑10 Notice of reviewable decision and review rights

Division 620—Internal review of reviewable decisions

620‑1 Registrar may reconsider reviewable decisions on own initiative

620‑5 Reconsideration of reviewable decisions

Division 623—AAT review of reviewable decisions

623‑1 AAT review of reviewable decisions

Part 15‑5—Fees

Division 628—Fees

628‑1 Fees

628‑5 Lodgment of document without payment of fee

628‑10 Doing act without payment of fee

628‑15 Effect of sections 628‑5 and 628‑10

628‑20 Debt due to the Commonwealth

628‑25 Payment of fee does not give right to inspect or search

Part 15‑6—Regulations

Division 633—Regulations

633‑1 General regulation making power

633‑5 Regulations concerning registered native title bodies corporate

Part 15‑7—Approved forms

Division 638—Approved forms

638‑1 Registrar may approve forms

Chapter 16—Registrar and Deputy Registrars of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

Part 16‑1—Introduction

Division 648—Introduction

648‑1 What this Chapter is about

Part 16‑2—Appointment of the Registrar and Deputy Registrars

Division 653—Appointment of Registrar and Deputy Registrars

653‑1 Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

653‑5 Deputy Registrars of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

Part 16‑3—Registrar’s functions and powers

Division 658—Registrar’s functions and powers

658‑1 Functions of the Registrar

658‑5 Aims of the Registrar

658‑10 Powers of the Registrar

658‑15 Registrar to have a seal

658‑20 Judicial notice of certain matters

Part 16‑4—Matters concerning the Registrar’s and Deputy Registrars’ appointments

Division 663—Matters concerning the Registrar’s and Deputy Registrars’ appointments

663‑1 Registrar’s remuneration

663‑5 Resignation

663‑10 Termination of Registrar’s appointment

663‑15 Termination of Deputy Registrar’s appointment

663‑20 Disclosure of interests

663‑25 Acting appointments

663‑30 Leave of absence

663‑35 Outside employment

Part 16‑5—Delegation

Division 668—Delegation

668‑1 Delegation by Registrar

668‑5 Sub‑delegation by Deputy Registrar

Part 16‑6—Staffing

Division 673—Staffing

673‑1 Staff assisting the Registrar and Deputy Registrar

673‑5 Engagement of consultants etc. by the Registrar

Chapter 17—Interpreting this Act

Part 17‑1—Meaning of some important concepts

Division 683—Directors and officers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

683‑1 Meaning of director and officer

Division 686—Associates

686‑1 Effect of Division

686‑5 Associates of bodies corporate

686‑10 General

686‑15 Exclusions

Division 689—Subsidiaries and control

689‑1 What is a subsidiary

689‑5 Control of a body corporate’s board

689‑10 Matters to be disregarded

689‑15 References in this Division to a subsidiary

689‑20 Related bodies corporate

689‑25 Control

Part 17‑2—Interpretation of other expressions

Division 694—Interpretation of other expressions

694‑1 Giving information

694‑5 Doing acts

694‑10 Signing

694‑15 Business affairs of a body corporate

694‑20 Business affairs of a natural person

694‑25 Business affairs of a partnership

694‑30 Business affairs of a trust

694‑35 Meaning of court and Court

694‑40 Entities

694‑45 Entities connected with a corporation (including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation)

694‑50 Extension of period for doing an act

694‑55 Involvement in contraventions

694‑60 Possession

694‑65 Public document of a body corporate

694‑70 Receivers and managers

694‑75 Securities

694‑80 Solvency and insolvency

694‑85 Meaning of chief executive officer function

694‑90 Applications to be in writing

694‑95 Effect of certain contraventions of this Act

694‑100 Effect of provisions empowering a person to require or prohibit conduct

694‑105 Calculation of time

694‑110 Performance of functions by Registrar or Deputy Registrar includes reference to delegate etc.

694‑115 Certain family relationships

Part 17‑3—Dictionary

Division 700—Dictionary

700‑1 Dictionary

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

An Act to provide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, and for related purposes

Preamble

The Parliament of Australia intends that the following law will take effect according to its terms and be a special law for the descendants of the original inhabitants of Australia.

The law is intended, for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, to be a special measure for the advancement and protection of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 1‑1—Preliminary

Division 1—Preliminary

1‑1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

1‑5 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 July 2007.

1‑10 Act binds Crown

(1) This Act (except Part 5.8 of the Corporations Act as applied by sections 516‑1, 521‑1, 526‑35 and 526‑40) binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of each of the States, of the Australian Capital Territory and of the Northern Territory.

(2) To avoid doubt, a reference in this section to the Crown in a particular right includes a reference to an instrumentality or agency (whether a body corporate or not) of the Crown in that right.

(3) However, this Act does not make the Crown liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.

1‑15 Geographical application of Act

(1) This Act extends to the external Territories.

(2) Each provision of this Act applies, according to its tenor, in relation to acts and omissions outside this jurisdiction.

1‑20 Act applies regardless of residence, place of formation etc.

Each provision of this Act applies according to its tenor to:

(a) natural persons whether:

(i) resident in Australia or an external Territory or not; and

(ii) Australian citizens or not; and

(b) all bodies corporate and unincorporated bodies whether formed or carrying on business in Australia or an external Territory or not.

Note: Many of the provisions in this Act apply only in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

1‑25 Objects of this Act

The objects of this Act are to:

(a) provide for the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations; and

(b) provide for the Registrar’s functions and powers; and

(c) provide for the incorporation, operation and regulation of those bodies that it is appropriate for this Act to cover; and

(d) without limiting paragraph (c)—provide for the incorporation, operation and regulation of bodies that are incorporated for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate; and

(e) provide for the duties of officers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and regulate those officers in the performance of those duties.

1‑30 Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

There is to be, within the Department, the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.

1‑35 Interpretative provisions

Chapter 17 contains the Dictionary, which sets out a list of all the terms that are defined in this Act. It also sets out the meanings of some important concepts and rules on how to interpret this Act.

Part 1‑2—Overview of Act

Division 6—Overview of Act

6‑1 Overview of Act

(1) This Act primarily provides for the incorporation and regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

(2) It also provides for the Registrar and the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.

6‑5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

(1) Chapter 2 provides for an application to be made to the Registrar for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) There are a number of registration requirements that must be met before the Registrar may register an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(3) Chapter 2 also deals with the effects of registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation on the corporation’s members, officers, contact persons and registered office.

6‑10 Basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

(1) Chapter 3 deals with the basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. It covers matters such as the corporation’s name, constitution and other rules applying to the corporation and the corporation’s registered office or address for document access.

(2) Chapter 3 also provides for the assumptions that people who deal with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation can make in those dealings.

6‑15 Members and observers

(1) Chapter 4 sets out some rules for membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation and some rules about cancelling the membership of members of the corporation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations have members (as opposed to shareholders) and they may also have persons who observe the operation of the corporation’s meetings (observers).

(2) Chapter 4 also deals with the register of members that the corporation is required to keep, and with protection of the rights and interests of members of the corporation.

6‑20 Meetings

(1) Chapter 5 sets out some rules for the calling and holding of general meetings and annual general meetings of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) Chapter 5 also deals with rules concerning directors’ meetings.

6‑25 Officers

(1) Chapter 6 deals with officers and contact persons of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) Importantly, Chapter 6 also deals with the duties of officers and their disqualification for breaches of those duties.

6‑30 Record keeping, reporting requirements and books

(1) Chapter 7 deals with the reporting requirements that are imposed on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may have to lodge a general report and may also have to lodge financial reports (depending on the corporation’s size etc.).

(2) Chapter 7 also deals with the books of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

6‑35 Civil consequences of contravening civil penalty provisions

Chapter 8 deals with the civil consequences of an officer breaching a duty imposed by this Act.

Note: The criminal consequences are dealt with in Chapter 6.

6‑40 Lodgments and registers

(1) Chapter 9 deals with the requirement to lodge certain documents with the Registrar.

(2) Chapter 9 also deals with the registers that the Registrar may, or is required to, keep. Information on these registers is available to the public.

6‑45 Regulation and enforcement

(1) Chapter 10 deals with a number of regulatory powers that the Registrar may use in the regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

(2) Chapter 10 also deals with the Registrar’s powers of enforcement and the protection of whistleblowers.

6‑50 External administration

(1) Chapter 11 deals with the administration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation by persons outside the corporation (for example, in a winding up).

(2) Importantly, the Registrar may appoint a special administrator for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in circumstances that are vital to the continued viability of the corporation. The special administrator differs from an ordinary administrator.

6‑55 Transfer of registration, deregistration and unclaimed property

Chapter 12 deals with:

(a) the transfer of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s registration to another Commonwealth, State or Territory system; and

(b) the deregistration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

6‑60 Offences

Chapter 13 deals with general offences against this Act.

6‑65 Courts and proceedings

Chapter 14 deals with the jurisdiction of courts to hear matters under this Act, injunctions and court proceedings.

6‑70 Administration

Chapter 15 deals with a number of matters concerning the general administration of this Act (for example, the protection of information and review of decisions).

6‑75 Registrar and Deputy Registrars of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

(1) Chapter 16 deals with the appointment of the Registrar and Deputy Registrars. The Registrar is charged with the administration of this Act.

(2) Chapter 16 also deals with the powers and functions of the Registrar.

6‑80 Interpreting this Act

Chapter 17 contains the interpretation provisions of this Act and the definitions.

Chapter 2—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Part 2‑1—Introduction

Division 16—Introduction

16‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter provides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and their registration.

In particular, it deals with:

• what an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is (see section 16‑5); and

• the application for registration (see Part 2‑2); and

• decisions on applications (see Part 2‑3); and

• registration of small, medium and large corporations (see Part 2‑4); and

• the effects of registration (see Part 2‑5).

16‑5 Meaning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is a corporation registered under this Act.

Part 2‑2—Applications for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Division 21—Application for new registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

21‑1 Application for registration

(1) An application by a person (the applicant) for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must contain the following information:

(a) the applicant’s name and address;

(b) the corporation’s proposed name;

(c) if the applicant is requesting an exemption from having to have at least 5 members—a request for the exemption specifying the proposed minimum number of members;

(d) an indication of whether, for the corporation’s first financial year, the corporation is expected to be a small, medium or large corporation;

(e) if the corporation is expected to be a large corporation for the corporation’s first financial year—the address of the proposed registered office;

(f) if the corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation for the corporation’s first financial year—the address of the proposed document access address;

(g) the names and addresses of each person who consents in writing to become a member of the corporation;

(h) the director details of each person who consents in writing to become a director of the corporation;

(i) if the corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation in respect of the corporation’s first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the contact person;

(j) if the corporation is expected to be a large corporation in respect of the corporation’s first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the corporation’s secretary;

(k) whether the people who are, or have been, members of the corporation are to be liable to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the corporation and if so, the extent of the persons’ liabilities;

(l) such other information that the Registrar specifies in writing in respect of the registration of the corporation;

(m) such other information that is prescribed by the regulations as information that must be included in the application.

Note: The address of the director, secretary or contact person that must be stated is usually the residential address. However, an alternative address may be stated in certain circumstances (see section 304‑15).

(2) The application must also:

(a) identify the directors who are to hold office for only one year; and

(b) if the application seeks registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate—indicate that purpose.

Director details

(3) The director details of a person who consents to become a director are the following:

(a) the person’s given and family name;

(b) all former given and family names of the person;

(d) the person’s address;

(e) the person’s date and place of birth (if known);

(f) a declaration in writing from the person stating that the person is eligible to be a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(4) A specification by the Registrar under paragraph (1)(l) is not a legislative instrument.

21‑5 Matters to accompany application

The following must accompany an application under section 21‑1:

(a) evidence of the decisions referred to in section 29‑15 (if applicable);

(b) copies of the consents referred to in subsection 21‑1(1).

Note: Under the internal governance rules requirement (see section 29‑20), a copy of the proposed constitution of a proposed corporation must also be provided to the Registrar before the time the Registrar makes a decision under section 26‑1 in respect of the application.

21‑10 Registrar may seek further information

(1) For the purposes of determining an application, the Registrar may request an applicant to provide such further information as the Registrar requests within the period specified by the Registrar in the request.

(2) The Registrar may extend a period specified under subsection (1).

(3) If the applicant does not comply with the request, the Registrar may treat the application as being withdrawn and notify the applicant in writing accordingly. The notice must be given within 28 days after the Registrar makes the decision to treat the application as being withdrawn.

(4) A request under this section must state the effect of subsection (3).

Division 22—Application to register existing body corporate under Part 2‑3

22‑1 Application for registration

(1) A person (the applicant) may apply to the Registrar for registration of an existing body corporate as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3.

(2) The application must contain the following information:

(a) the applicant’s name and address;

(b) the body’s current name;

(d) if the body is a registered body (within the meaning of the Corporations Act)—its ARBN;

(e) the law under which the body is currently incorporated;

(f) the name proposed to be adopted by the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(g) if the applicant is requesting an exemption from having to have at least 5 members—a request for the exemption specifying the proposed minimum number of members;

(h) an indication of whether, for its first financial year, the body is expected to be a small, medium or large corporation;

(i) if the body is expected to be a large corporation for its first financial year—the address of the proposed registered office;

(j) if the body is expected to be a small or medium corporation for its first financial year—the address of the proposed document access address;

(k) the director details of each person who consents in writing to become a director of the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(l) if the body is expected to be a small or medium corporation for its first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the contact person;

(m) if the body is expected to be a large corporation for its first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the secretary when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(n) whether, once the body becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the people who are, or have been, its members are to be liable to contribute towards the payment of its debts and liabilities and, if so, the extent of their liabilities;

(o) such other information that the Registrar specifies in writing in respect of the registration of the body as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(p) such other information that is prescribed by the regulations as information that must be included in the application.

(3) The application must also:

(a) identify the directors who are to hold office for only one year; and

(b) if the application seeks registration of the body as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate—indicate that purpose.

Director details

(4) The director details of a person who consents to become a director are the following:

(a) the person’s given and family name;

(b) all former given and family names of the person;

(d) the person’s date and place of birth (if known);

(e) a declaration in writing from the person stating that the person is eligible to be a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(5) A specification by the Registrar under paragraph (2)(o) is not a legislative instrument.

(6) In this section:

ACN has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act.

ARBN has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act.

22‑5 Matters to accompany application

(1) The following must accompany an application under section 22‑1:

(a) evidence of the resolution referred to in section 29‑17;

(b) copies of the consents referred to in subsection 22‑1(2);

(c) a certified copy of a current certificate of the body’s incorporation in its place of origin, or of a document that has a similar effect;

(d) a certified printed copy of the body’s constitution (if any);

(e) evidence that the body is not a Chapter 5 body corporate;

(f) evidence that no application to wind up the body has been made to a court (in Australia or elsewhere) that has not been dealt with;

(g) evidence that no application to approve a compromise or arrangement between the body and another person has been made to a court (in Australia or elsewhere) that has not been dealt with;

(h) evidence that under the law of the body’s place of origin:

(i) the transfer of the body’s incorporation is authorised; and

(ii) the body has complied with the requirements (if any) of that law for the transfer of its incorporation;

(i) any other documents that are prescribed.

(2) The evidence lodged in accordance with subsections (1) must be satisfactory proof to the Registrar of the matters referred to in that subsection.

Note: Section 376‑5 requires documents that are not in English to be translated into English.

22‑10 Registrar may seek further information

(1) For the purposes of determining an application made under section 22‑1, the Registrar may request an applicant to provide such further information as the Registrar requests within the period specified by the Registrar in the request.

(2) The Registrar may extend a period specified under subsection (1).

(4) A request under this section must state the effect of subsection (3).

Division 23—Application to register amalgamated corporation under Part 2‑3

23‑1 Application for registration

(1) A person (the applicant) may apply to the Registrar for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) under Part 2‑3 to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations).

(2) The application must contain the following information:

(a) the applicant’s name and address;

(b) the names, and ICNs, of the amalgamating corporations;

(c) the name proposed to be adopted by the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(d) if the applicant is requesting an exemption for the amalgamated corporation from having to have at least 5 members—a request for the exemption specifying the proposed minimum number of members;

(e) an indication of whether, for its first financial year, the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a small, medium or large corporation;

(f) if the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a large corporation for its first financial year—the address of the proposed registered office;

(g) if the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation for its first financial year—the address of the proposed document access address;

(h) the director details of each person who consents in writing to become a director of the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(i) if the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation for its first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the contact person;

(j) if the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a large corporation for its first financial year—the name and address of the person who consents in writing to be the secretary when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(k) whether, once the amalgamated corporation becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the people who are, or have been, its members are to be liable to contribute towards the payment of its debts and liabilities and, if so, the extent of their liabilities;

(l) such other information that the Registrar specifies in writing in respect of the registration of the amalgamated corporation as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(m) such other information that is prescribed by the regulations as information that must be included in the application.

(3) The application must also:

(a) identify the directors of the amalgamated corporation who are to hold office for only one year; and

(b) if the application seeks registration of the amalgamated corporation for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate—indicate that purpose.

Director details

(4) The director details of a person who consents to become a director are the following:

(a) the person’s given and family name;

(b) all former given and family names of the person;

(d) the person’s date and place of birth (if known);

(e) a declaration in writing from the person stating that the person is eligible to be a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(5) A specification by the Registrar under paragraph (1)(l) is not a legislative instrument.

23‑5 Matters to accompany application

(1) The following must accompany an application under section 23‑1:

(a) evidence that, on registration, the amalgamated corporation will meet the creditor notice requirements referred to in section 29‑18;

(b) evidence of the resolutions referred to in section 29‑19;

(d) evidence that none of the amalgamating corporations is a Chapter 5 body corporate;

(e) evidence that no application to wind up an amalgamating corporation has been made to a court (in Australia or elsewhere) that has not been dealt with;

(f) evidence that no application to approve a compromise or arrangement between an amalgamating corporation and another person has been made to a court (in Australia or elsewhere) that has not been dealt with;

(g) any other documents that are prescribed.

(2) The evidence lodged in accordance with subsections (1) must be satisfactory proof to the Registrar of the matters referred to in that subsection.

Note: Section 376‑5 requires documents that are not in English to be translated into English.

23‑10 Registrar may seek further information

(1) For the purposes of determining an application under section 23‑1, the Registrar may request an applicant to provide such further information as the Registrar requests within the period specified by the Registrar in the request.

(2) The Registrar may extend a period specified under subsection (1).

(4) A request under this section must state the effect of subsection (3).

Part 2‑3—Decisions on applications

Division 26—Registrar to decide application

26‑1 Registrar to decide application

Registrar to decide

(1) The Registrar must make a decision whether or not to grant an application under section 21‑1, 22‑1 or 23‑1 for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

When may Registrar grant application

(2) The Registrar may decide to grant the application if:

(a) an application under section 21‑1, 22‑1 or 23‑1 has been lodged for registration of the corporation (but see section 26‑5); and

(b) if the application is made under section 21‑1—the application is accompanied by the matters set out in section 21‑5 (but see section 26‑5); and

(ba) if the application is made under section 22‑1—the application is accompanied by the matters set out in section 22‑5 (but see section 26‑5); and

(bb) if the application is made under section 23‑1—the application is accompanied by the matters set out in section 23‑5 (but see section 26‑5); and

(c) the Registrar is satisfied that, on registration, the corporation will meet the following basic requirements set out in Division 29 (but see section 26‑10):

(i) the minimum number of members requirement (see section 29‑1);

(ii) the Indigeneity requirement (see section 29‑5);

(iii) the age of members requirement (see section 29‑10);

(iv) if the application is made under section 21‑1—the pre‑incorporation requirement (see section 29‑15);

(iva) if the application is made under section 22‑1—the pre‑transfer of registration requirement (see section 29‑17);

(ivb) if the application is made under section 23‑1—the creditor notice requirements (see section 29‑18) and the pre‑amalgamation requirements (see section 29‑19);

(v) the internal governance rules requirement (see section 29‑20);

(vi) the name requirement (see section 29‑25); and

(d) section 26‑15 does not preclude the registration; and

(e) the Registrar is satisfied that it is more appropriate that the corporation be registered under this Act than under the Corporations Act or a law of a State or Territory dealing with incorporated bodies; and

(f) the Registrar is satisfied that registering the corporation would not be contrary to the public interest.

Special rules for amalgamation application under section 23‑1

(3) Subsections (4) and (5) apply in deciding whether to grant an application under section 23‑1 to register an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations).

(4) The Registrar must not grant the application if an objection to the grant of the application has been made under subsection 29‑18(3) and the objection has not been withdrawn.

(5) In addition to the matters referred to in subsection (2), the Registrar may have regard to the following matters in deciding whether to grant the application:

(a) the size and complexity of the operations of the amalgamating corporations;

(b) whether there are any unresolved disputes:

(i) internal to the operation of any of the amalgamating corporations; or

(ii) between any of the amalgamating corporations and other persons; or

(iii) about whether the amalgamated corporation should replace the amalgamating corporations;

(c) the extent to which the amalgamating corporations, and the officers of the amalgamating corporations, have complied with this Act and the regulations;

(d) the nature of any services provided by the amalgamating corporations and the people to whom those services are provided;

(e) the capacity of the amalgamating corporations, and their officers, to make an application to the Court for orders under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act (as applied by Division 45 of this Act);

(f) whether it would be desirable for a court to supervise the process of the amalgamated corporation replacing the amalgamating corporations;

(g) whether the amalgamating corporations have different member liability arrangements;

(h) any other matter the Registrar considers relevant.

Note: If the Registrar decides not to grant the application, the amalgamation may be able to be achieved by applying to the Court for orders under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act (as applied by section 45‑1 of this Act).

26‑5 Registrar may grant application if application is incomplete etc.

Despite paragraphs 26‑1(2)(a), (b), (ba) and (bb), the Registrar may grant the application even if the application for registration:

(a) is incomplete or contains errors (as long as the applicant has provided his or her name and address in the application); or

(b) some or all of the material required to accompany the application under section 21‑5, section 22‑5 or 23‑5 is not provided, is incomplete or contains errors.

26‑10 Registrar may grant application if some basic requirements are not met

Circumstances when Registrar may register corporation

(1) Despite paragraph 26‑1(2)(c), the Registrar may grant the application even if the Registrar is not satisfied that the corporation, on registration, would meet:

(a) the minimum number of members requirement; or

(b) the age of members requirement; or

(d) the pre‑transfer of registration requirement; or

(e) the creditor notice requirements; or

(f) the pre‑amalgamation requirements.

Registrar not to register body in certain circumstances

(2) However, the Registrar must not grant the application and register an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if, on registration, the corporation would not meet:

(a) the Indigeneity requirement; or

(b) the internal governance rules requirement; or

26‑15 Registrar not to register trade unions etc.

The following cannot be registered under this Act:

(a) a trade union;

(b) a body that is providing financial services (within the meaning of Chapter 7 of the Corporations Act);

Division 29—What are the basic requirements for registration?

29‑1 Minimum number of members requirement

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the minimum number of members requirement if the corporation complies with the requirement in subsection 77‑5(1).

29‑5 Indigeneity requirement

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the Indigeneity requirement if the corporation has the following required number or percentage of its members who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons:

(a) if the corporation has 5 or more members—at least the percentage of members prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this section;

(b) if the corporation has fewer than 5 members but more than one member—all of the members, or all but one of the members;

Note: For the meaning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, see section 700‑1.

29‑10 Age of members requirement

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the age of members requirement if each member of the corporation who is an individual is at least 15 years of age.

29‑15 Pre‑incorporation requirement

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the pre‑incorporation requirement if 75% of the persons listed in the application for registration as persons who consent to become members of the corporation on registration have:

(a) authorised the applicant to apply for the incorporation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) approved the proposed constitution provided to the Registrar under subsection 29‑20(2) as the constitution of the corporation; and

(c) if the internal governance rules that would apply to the corporation will include one or more replaceable rules—agreed to those replaceable rules so applying; and

(d) nominated, as persons who will become directors of the corporation, the persons specified in the application as persons who will become directors on registration; and

(e) if the application indicates that the corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation in respect of the corporation’s first financial year—nominated, as a person who will become a contact person of the corporation, the person specified in the application as a person who will become contact person on registration; and

(f) if the application indicates that the corporation is expected to be a large corporation in respect of the corporation’s first financial year—nominated, as a person who will become the corporation’s secretary, the person specified in the application as a person who will become the corporation’s secretary on registration.

(2) The document evidencing the agreement under paragraph (1)(c) must:

(a) refer by section or subsection number (as appropriate) to the replaceable rules that will apply without modification to the corporation; and

(b) set out the terms of the replaceable rules (if any) that are being modified or replaced by the proposed constitution.

29‑17 Pre‑transfer of registration requirement

(1) A body corporate in relation to which an application is made under section 22‑1 meets the pre‑transfer of registration requirement if:

(a) the members have by a resolution that has been passed at a meeting by at least 75% of the votes cast by members entitled to vote on the resolution:

(i) authorised the applicant to apply for the registration of the body as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(ii) approved the proposed constitution provided to the Registrar under subsection 29‑20(2) as the constitution to be adopted by the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3; and

(iii) if the internal governance rules that would apply to the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3 will include one or more replaceable rules—agreed to those replaceable rules so applying; and

(iv) nominated, as persons who will become directors of the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the persons specified in the application as persons who will become directors on registration; and

(v) if the application indicates that the body is expected to be a small or medium corporation in respect of its first financial year—nominated, as a person who will become the contact person when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the person specified in the application as a person who will become the contact person on registration; and

(vi) if the application indicates that the body is expected to be a large corporation in respect of its first financial year—nominated, as a person who will become the secretary when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the person specified in the application as a person who will become the secretary on registration; and

(b) the members were given at least 21 days notice of the meeting and the proposed resolution.

(2) The document evidencing the agreement under subparagraph (1)(a)(iii) must:

(a) refer by section or subsection number (as appropriate) to the replaceable rules that will apply without modification to the body when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3; and

(b) set out the terms of the replaceable rules (if any) that are being modified or replaced by the proposed constitution.

29‑18 Creditor notice requirement

(1) If an application is made under section 23‑1 to register an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations), the amalgamated corporation meets the creditor notice requirement if:

(a) the applicant has given the Registrar a notice of intention to make the application; and

(b) the applicant has, within 14 days after giving the Registrar the notice, published the following in accordance with subsection (2):

(i) a copy of the notice;

(ii) a statement informing substantial creditors of the amalgamating corporations that those creditors may, within the objection period, object under subsection (3) to the grant of the application;

(iii) such other information as is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subparagraph; and

(c) each of the amalgamating corporations has, during the objection period, taken reasonable steps to bring the following to the attention of persons who are, or who are likely to or who may become, substantial creditors of the corporation:

(i) the proposed amalgamation;

(ii) the right that substantial creditors of the corporation have under subsection (3) to object to the grant of the application made under section 23‑1; and

(d) the application under section 23‑1 is made within 14 days after the end of the objection period.

Note 1: For substantial creditor, see paragraph (5)(a).

Note 2: For objection period, see paragraph (5)(b).

(2) The material referred to in paragraph (1)(b) must be published:

(a) in a national newspaper; or

(b) for each State or Territory in which any of the amalgamating corporations has its registered office (if any) or carries on business or other operations—in a daily newspaper that circulates generally in that State or Territory.

If the material is published in a number of newspapers under paragraph (b), all of the publications must occur on the same day.

(3) A substantial creditor of any of the amalgamating corporations may object to the grant of the application by:

(a) lodging with the Registrar a written objection that contains the information prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; and

(b) giving the applicant a copy of the objection;

within the objection period.

(4) A substantial creditor of an amalgamating corporation who has lodged an objection under subsection (3) may, by written notice to the Registrar, withdraw the objection.

(5) For the purposes of this section:

(a) a person is a substantial creditor of an amalgamating corporation if:

(i) the amalgamating corporation owes a debt, or debts, to the person; and

(ii) the amount of that debt, or the sum of the amounts of those debts, that is unsecured exceeds the amount prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection; and

(b) the objection period is the period of 21 days after the day on which the material referred to in paragraph (1)(b) is published in accordance with subsection (2); and

29‑19 Pre‑amalgamation requirements

(a) authorising the applicant to apply for the registration of the amalgamated corporation to replace the amalgamating corporations; and

(b) approving the proposed constitution provided to the Registrar under subsection 29‑20(2) as the constitution to be the amalgamated corporation’s constitution when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3; and

(c) if the internal governance rules that would apply to the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3 will include one or more replaceable rules—agreeing to those replaceable rules so applying; and

(d) nominating, as persons who will become directors of the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the persons specified in the application as persons who will become directors on registration; and

(e) if the application indicates that the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a small or medium corporation in respect of its first financial year—nominating, as a person who will become a contact person of the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the person specified in the application as a person who will become the contact person on registration; and

(f) if the application indicates that the amalgamated corporation is expected to be a large corporation in respect of its first financial year—nominating, as a person who will become the amalgamated corporation’s secretary when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3, the person specified in the application as a person who will become the secretary on registration.

(2) The document evidencing the agreement under paragraph (1)(c) must:

(a) refer by section or subsection number (as appropriate) to the replaceable rules that will apply without modification to the amalgamated corporation when it becomes registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3; and

(b) set out the terms of the replaceable rules (if any) that are being modified or replaced by the proposed constitution.

29‑20 Internal governance rules requirement

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the internal governance rules requirement if the corporation’s constitution complies with the requirements set out in section 66‑1.

(2) In addition, a copy of the corporation’s proposed constitution must be lodged before the time the Registrar makes a decision under section 26‑1 in respect of the application.

29‑25 Name requirement

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation meets the name requirement if the corporation complies with the requirements set out in section 85‑1.

Division 32—Decisions on applications

32‑1 Successful applications

(1) If the Registrar grants an application under section 21‑1, 22‑1 or 23‑1 for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, the Registrar must:

(a) register the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) register the corporation’s constitution; and

(i) the corporation’s name and ICN;

(ii) that the corporation is registered under this Act;

(iii) the date of the registration.

Note: Section 37‑1 requires the Registrar to register the corporation as a small, medium or large corporation.

(2) The Registrar must keep a record of the registration and the constitution.

(3) A certificate under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

32‑5 Unsuccessful applications

(1) If:

(a) the Registrar does not grant the application; and

(b) section 26‑15 does not preclude the registration;

the Registrar must, in writing:

(d) invite the applicant to:

(i) make such changes in the application or accompanying material that will remove the grounds for refusal; and

(ii) advise the Registrar, within the time specified in the invitation, of any changes made or, if the changes are not made, of the reasons for the changes not being made.

(2) If the Registrar is advised under subparagraph (1)(d)(ii), the Registrar must reconsider the application.

Part 2‑4—Registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

Division 37—Registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

37‑1 Registrar to register Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a small, medium or large corporation

(1) On the registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, the Registrar must register the corporation as a small, medium or large corporation.

Note: The classification determines the reports the corporation has to prepare (see Chapter 7) and whether or not the corporation must have a registered office and a corporation secretary.

(2) The Registrar may register the corporation as a small corporation only if:

(a) the application for registration indicates; or

(b) the Registrar is otherwise satisfied;

that the corporation is likely to be a small corporation in respect of its first financial year.

Note: Subsection 37‑10(1) sets out the criteria for determining whether the corporation is a small corporation for a particular financial year.

(3) The Registrar may register the corporation as a medium corporation only if:

(a) the application for registration indicates; or

(b) the Registrar is otherwise satisfied;

that the corporation is likely to be a medium corporation in respect of its first financial year.

Note: Subsection 37‑10(2) sets out the criteria for determining whether the corporation is a medium corporation for a particular financial year.

(4) The Registrar may register the corporation as a large corporation only if:

(a) the application for registration indicates; or

(b) the Registrar is otherwise satisfied;

that the corporation is likely to be a large corporation in respect of its first financial year.

Note: Subsection 37‑10(3) sets out the criteria for determining whether the corporation is a large corporation for a particular financial year.

37‑5 Registrar may alter registered size of corporation after registration

(1) If the Registrar is satisfied that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small corporation was in fact a medium or large corporation for the most recent financial year, the Registrar may alter the corporation’s registration so that the corporation is registered as a medium or large corporation.

(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a medium corporation was in fact a small or large corporation for the most recent financial year, the Registrar may alter the corporation’s registration so that the corporation is registered as a small or large corporation.

(3) If the Registrar is satisfied that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation was in fact a small or medium corporation for the most recent financial year, the Registrar may alter the corporation’s registration so that the corporation is registered as a small or medium corporation.

(4) An alteration to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s registration made under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is not a legislative instrument.

(5) The Registrar must notify an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in writing of an alteration made under this section.

37‑10 Small, medium and large corporations

Small corporations

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is a small corporation for a financial year if it satisfies at least 2 of the following paragraphs:

(a) the consolidated gross operating income for the financial year of the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) is less than the amount prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph;

(b) the value of the consolidated gross assets at the end of the financial year of the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) is less than the amount prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph;

(c) the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) have, at the end of the financial year, fewer employees than the number of employees prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

Note: A small corporation generally has reduced financial reporting requirements (see Chapter 7).

Medium corporations

(2) Subject to subsection (3), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is a medium corporation for a financial year if it satisfies at least 2 of the following paragraphs:

(a) the consolidated gross operating income for the financial year of the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) is equal to or more than the amount prescribed under paragraph (1)(a);

(b) the value of the consolidated gross assets at the end of the financial year of the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) is equal to or more than the amount prescribed under paragraph (1)(b);

(c) the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) have, at the end of the financial year, a number of employees that is equal to or more than the number prescribed under paragraph (1)(c).

Large corporations

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is a large corporation for a financial year if it satisfies at least 2 of the following paragraphs:

(a) the consolidated gross operating income for the financial year of the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) is equal to or more than the amount prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph;

(c) the corporation and the entities it controls (if any) have, at the end of the financial year, a number of employees that is equal to or more than the number of employees prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

Native Title

(4) The native title rights and interests held by a registered native title body corporate are to be disregarded in determining the value of the assets of a registered native title body corporate.

37‑15 When an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation controls an entity

In deciding, for the purposes of section 37‑10, whether an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation controls an entity, apply the accounting standards made for the purposes of paragraph 295(2)(b) of the Corporations Act.

37‑20 Counting employees

(1) The regulations may prescribe one or more methods for calculating the number of employees of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), regulations made under that subsection may specify:

(a) that employees of a class are to be disregarded for the purposes of section 37‑10; or

(b) that employees of a class are to be taken into account by treating each employee as representing a specified fraction of an employee.

37‑25 Accounting standards

In consolidating under section 37‑10:

(a) the consolidated gross operating income; and

(b) the value of consolidated gross assets;

apply the accounting standards in force at the relevant time (even if the standards do not otherwise apply to the financial year of some or all of the bodies concerned).

Part 2‑5—Effects of registration

Division 42—Effects of registration

42‑1 Corporation comes into existence on registration

If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is registered under Part 2‑3 as a result of an application made under section 21‑1, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation comes into existence as a body corporate with perpetual succession at the beginning of the day on which it is registered.

Note: The corporation remains in existence until it is deregistered (see Chapter 12).

42‑3 Effect of registration of existing body corporate under Part 2‑3

If a body corporate is registered under Part 2‑3 as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a result of an application made under section 22‑1, registration under Part 2‑3 does not:

(a) create a new legal entity; or

(b) affect the body’s existing property, rights or obligations (except as against the members of the body in their capacity as members); or

Note: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation remains in existence until it is deregistered (see Chapter 12).

42‑4 Effect of registration of amalgamated corporation under Part 2‑3

(1) This section applies if an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) is registered under Part 2‑3 as a result of an application made under section 23‑1 to register the amalgamated corporation to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations).

(2) The amalgamated corporation comes into existence as a body corporate with perpetual succession at the beginning of the day on which it is registered.

Note: The amalgamated corporation remains in existence until it is deregistered (see Chapter 12).

(3) On registration:

(a) the assets of each of the amalgamating corporations cease to be assets of the amalgamating corporation and become assets of the amalgamated corporation without any conveyance, transfer or assignment and the amalgamated corporation becomes the amalgamating corporation’s successor in law in relation to those assets; and

(b) the liabilities of each of the amalgamating corporations cease to be liabilities of the amalgamating corporations and become liabilities of the amalgamated corporation and the amalgamated corporation becomes the amalgamating corporation’s successor in law in relation to those liabilities; and

(c) if any proceedings to which an amalgamating corporation was a party were pending in any court or tribunal immediately before registration—the amalgamated corporation is substituted for the amalgamating corporation as a party to the proceedings; and

(d) any investigation that was commenced before registration in relation to an amalgamating corporation may be continued after registration as if the investigation were an investigation in relation to the amalgamated corporation; and

(e) an act or thing done, or omitted to be done, before registration by or in relation to an amalgamating corporation is taken to have been done, or to have been omitted to be done, by or in relation to the amalgamated corporation; and

(f) a reference in any document to an amalgamating corporation is taken to be a reference to the amalgamated corporation.

Note 1: The Registrar deregisters the amalgamating corporations under subsection 546‑10(3).

Note 2: Paragraph (3)(e) has the effect, for example, that any regulatory action taken in relation to an amalgamating corporation under Part 10‑3 may be continued as if that action had been taken in relation to the amalgamated corporation.

(4) Paragraph (3)(e) does not apply to a determination under section 487‑1 that an amalgamating corporation is to be under special administration.

(5) To avoid doubt, if an asset of an amalgamating corporation was, immediately before registration, subject to a charge of any kind, the asset becomes the asset of the amalgamated corporation under subsection (3) subject to that charge.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if:

(a) any land vests in the amalgamated corporation under this section; and

(b) there is lodged with a land registration official a certificate that:

(i) is signed by the Registrar; and

(ii) identifies the land, whether by reference to a map or otherwise; and

(iii) states that the land has become vested in the amalgamated corporation under this section.

(7) The land registration official may:

(a) register the matter in a way that is the same as, or similar to, the way in which dealings in land of that kind are registered; and

(b) deal with, and give effect to, the certificate.

(8) Subsection (9) applies if:

(a) any asset other than land vests in the amalgamated corporation under this section; and

(b) there is lodged with an assets official a certificate that:

(i) is signed by the Registrar; and

(ii) identifies the asset; and

(iii) states that the asset has become vested in the amalgamated corporation under this section.

(9) The assets official may:

(a) deal with, and give effect to, the certificate as if it were a proper and appropriate instrument for transactions in relation to assets of that kind; and

(b) make such entries in the register as are necessary having regard to the effect of this section.

(10) No stamp duty or other tax is payable under a law of a State or a Territory in respect of an exempt matter, or anything connected with an exempt matter.

(11) The Registrar may certify in writing:

(a) that a specified matter is an exempt matter; or

(b) that a specified thing was connected with a specified exempt matter.

(12) In all courts, and for all purposes (other than for the purposes of criminal proceedings), a certificate under subsection (11) is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.

(13) For the purposes of this section, an exempt matter is:

(a) the vesting of an asset or liability under this section; or

(b) the operation of this section in any other respect.

(14) In this section:

asset means:

(a) any legal or equitable estate or interest in real or personal property, whether actual, contingent or prospective; and

(b) any right, power, privilege or immunity, whether actual, contingent or prospective.

assets official, in relation to an asset other than land, means the person or authority who, under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, under a trust instrument or otherwise, has responsibility for keeping a register in relation to assets of the kind concerned.

land means any legal or equitable estate or interest in real property, whether actual, contingent or prospective.

land registration official, in relation to land, means the Registrar of Titles or other proper officer of the State or Territory in which the land is situated.

liability means any liability, duty or obligation, whether actual, contingent or prospective.

42‑5 Corporation’s name

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name on registration is the name specified in the certificate of registration.

42‑10 Members, directors, corporation secretary and contact person of corporation

Persons become members on registration

(1) A person becomes a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation on registration of the corporation if:

(a) the corporation was registered as a result of an application made under section 21‑1 and the person is specified in the application with the person’s consent as a proposed member of the corporation; or

(b) the corporation was registered as a result of an application made under section 22‑1 for registration of a body corporate as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3 and the person is a member of the body corporate immediately before registration of the corporation; or

(c) the corporation was registered as a result of an application made under section 23‑1 to register an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) under Part 2‑3 to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations) and the person is a member of any of the amalgamating corporations immediately before the registration of the amalgamated corporation.

Note: A member’s name must be entered in the register of members (see section 180‑5).

Persons become directors etc. on registration

(1A) A person becomes a director, corporation secretary or contact person of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation on registration of the corporation if the person is specified in the application under section 21‑1, 22‑1 or 23‑1 with his or her consent as a proposed director, corporation secretary or contact person of the corporation.

If no contact person nominated in the application for registration

(2) If:

(a) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is registered as a small or medium corporation; and

(b) the application for registration does not specify a person to be the contact person for the corporation;

the applicant becomes the contact person for the corporation on registration.

If person nominated in application for registration as contact person without the person’s consent

(3) If:

(a) a person is specified in an application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as the contact person for the corporation; and

(b) the person is specified without his or her consent; and

the Registrar may determine, by notice in writing given to the applicant, that the applicant for registration is the contact person for the corporation on registration.

(4) A determination under subsection (3) is not a legislative instrument.

42‑15 Registered office

If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is registered as a large corporation, the address (if any) specified in the corporation’s application for registration as the proposed registered office becomes the address of the corporation’s registered office on registration.

42‑20 Document access address

If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is registered as a small or medium corporation, the address (if any) specified in the corporation’s application for registration as the proposed document access address becomes the corporation’s document access address on registration.

42‑25 Corporation may have common seal

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may have a common seal. If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation does have a common seal, the corporation must set out on it the corporation’s name and ICN.

Note 1: An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may make contracts and execute documents without using a seal (see sections 99‑1 and 99‑5).

Note 2: For abbreviations that can be used on a seal, see section 85‑10.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may have a duplicate common seal. The duplicate must be a copy of the common seal with the words “duplicate seal” added.

(3) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person uses, or authorises the use of, a seal; and

(b) the seal purports to be the common seal of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or a duplicate; and

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) An offence against paragraph (3)(a) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

42‑30 Vesting of property in corporation on registration

Application of section

(1) This section applies if an application is lodged to register an unincorporated body as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Personal property other than land

(2) Upon registration, any personal property held by a person, in trust or otherwise, for or on behalf of the members of the body vests in the corporation. The property vests subject to any trust, covenant, contract or liability affecting the property (other than a trust for the members).

Estate or interest in land

(3) If:

(a) a person holds an estate or interest in land, in trust or otherwise, for or on behalf of the members of the body; and

(b) the body is registered;

that person must, upon the registration, take all action required to vest the estate or interest in the corporation. The vesting is subject to any trust (other than a trust for the members), or any covenant, contract or liability affecting the estate or interest.

(4) In subsection (2):

personal property does not include property consisting of an estate or interest in land.

42‑35 Body corporate registered as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (liability of members on winding up)

(1) This section applies if:

(a) a body corporate is registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3 as a result of an application made under section 22‑1; and

(b) a person stopped being a member of a body corporate before it was registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3.

(2) The person is to be treated as a past member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in applying Division 2 of Part 5.6 of the Corporations Act (as applied by section 526‑35 of this Act) to a winding up of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(3) However, the person’s liability to contribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s property is further limited by this section to an amount sufficient for the following:

(a) payment of debts and liabilities contracted by the body corporate before the day on which it was registered as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under Part 2‑3;

(b) payment of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, so far as those costs, charges and expenses relate to those debts and liabilities;

(c) the adjustment of the rights between the contributories, so far as the adjustment relates to those debts and liabilities.

42‑40 Body corporate registered as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (modification by regulations)

(1) The regulations may modify the operation of this Part in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under Part 2‑3 as a result of an application made under section 22‑1.

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) must not:

(a) increase, or have the effect of increasing, the maximum penalty for any offence; or

(b) widen, or have the effect of widening, the scope of any offence.

42‑45 Registration of amalgamated corporation (liability of members on winding up)

(1) This section applies if:

(a) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (the amalgamated corporation) is registered under Part 2‑3 as a result of an application made under section 23‑1 to register the amalgamated corporation to replace 2 or more existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (the amalgamating corporations); and

(b) a person stopped being a member of an amalgamating corporation before the registration of the amalgamated corporation.

(2) The person is to be treated as a past member of the amalgamated corporation in applying Division 2 of Part 5.6 of the Corporations Act (as applied by section 526‑35 of this Act) to a winding up of the amalgamated corporation.

(3) However, the person’s liability to contribute to the amalgamated corporation’s property is further limited by this section to an amount sufficient for the following:

(a) payment of debts and liabilities contracted by the amalgamating corporation before the registration of the amalgamated corporation;

(b) payment of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the amalgamated corporation, so far as those costs, charges and expenses relate to those debts and liabilities;

(c) the adjustment of the rights between the contributories, so far as the adjustment relates to those debts and liabilities.

42‑50 Registration of amalgamated corporation (modification by regulations)

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) must not:

(a) increase, or have the effect of increasing, the maximum penalty for any offence; or

(b) widen, or have the effect of widening, the scope of any offence.

Part 2‑6—Arrangements and reconstructions

Division 45—Application of Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions

45‑1 Applying Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

(1) The Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions apply to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as if the following substitutions were made:

Substitutions to be made
Item	For a reference to ...	substitute a reference to ...
1	a Part 5.1 body	an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
2	a body	an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
3	a company	an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
4	ASIC	the Registrar
5	registered office	registered office or document access address

Note: If a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations wish to amalgamate, it may be possible, in some circumstances, for them to proceed with the amalgamation by means of an application to the Registrar under Division 23 (as an alternative to applying to a court for an order under the applied Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions).

(2) The Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions apply to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation:

(a) only to the extent to which they are capable of applying to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) with the modifications specified in the regulations.

(3) Regulations made for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) must not:

(a) increase, or have the effect of increasing, the maximum penalty for any offence; or

(b) widen, or have the effect of widening, the scope of any offence.

(4) In this Act:

Corporations Act arrangements and reconstructions provisions means:

(a) Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act (other than paragraph 411(17)(a), subsection 412(3) and (5) and section 414); and

(b) section 425, subsections 427(2) and (4), sections 428, 432 and 434 of, and Subdivision B of Division 90 of Schedule 2 to, that Act to the extent to which they are applied by subsection 411(9) of that Act; and

(c) the other provisions of that Act (including Parts 1.2, 5.8, 5.9 and 9.4 and Schedule 3 but not including Parts 1.1, 1.1A and 9.4A) to the extent to which they relate to the operation of Part 5.1 of that Act and the provisions referred to in paragraph (b) of this definition; and

(d) the regulations and rules made under that Act for the purposes of Part 5.1 of that Act and the provisions referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this definition.

Chapter 3—Basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

Part 3‑1—Introduction

Division 52—Introduction

52‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter deals with the internal governance rules, the minimum number of members requirement, names and the powers of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. It also deals with other basic matters affecting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Part 3‑2—Rules dealing with the internal governance of corporations

Division 57—Introduction

57‑1 What this Part is about

The rules dealing with the internal governance of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation are of 4 kinds:

(a) common law rules; and

(b) rules in this Act that cannot be replaced by the corporation’s constitution; and

(d) rules that are in the corporation’s constitution.

Some of the rules in paragraph (d):

(a) may be required by this Act to be in the constitution; or

(b) may be there to modify or replace a replaceable rule; or

This Part deals with the rules in paragraphs (c) and (d) and refers to them as internal governance rules of the corporation (see section 63‑1).

The corporation may choose to adopt all or some of the replaceable rules as rules of its internal governance.

The corporation’s internal governance rules must comply with the internal governance rules requirements (see Division 66).

There are a number of ways the corporation’s constitution may be changed. Any changes must comply with the internal governance rules requirements (see Division 69).

Division 72 deals with other matters concerning constitutions.

57‑5 List of internal governance rules

The following table sets out the main provisions of this Act that deal with the internal governance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations. The table indicates those rules that operate as replaceable rules and Division 60 tells you how replaceable rules operate.

Item	Subject of provision	Provision
1A	Chapter 3—Basic features of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation Resolution of internal disputes	subsection 66‑1(3A)
1B	Resolution of disputes with persons who are or who claim to be common law holders	subsection 66‑1(3B)
1C	Chapter 4—Members and observers Eligibility requirements for membership of registered native title body corporate	section 141‑25
1	How does a person become a member?	section 144‑1
2	Application to corporation	section 144‑5 subsection (2) is a replaceable rule
3	Determination of applications for membership	section 144‑10 subsection (7) is a replaceable rule
4	Fees for membership and being an observer	section 144‑15
5	Obligation to contribute on winding up	section 147‑1
6	Corporation may impose other membership obligations	section 147‑5
7	Liability of corporation members	section 147‑10
8	Cessation of membership	section 150‑1
10	Resignation	section 150‑10 subsection (2) is a replaceable rule
11	General	section 150‑15
12	Member of corporation that is not a registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc.	section 150‑20 this section is a replaceable rule
12A	Member of registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc.	section 150‑22
13	Member not contactable	section 150‑25
14	Member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person	section 150‑30
15	Member misbehaves	section 150‑35
16	Different classes of members	section 153‑1
17	Observers	section 158‑5 subsection (2) is a replaceable rule
18	What protections apply to variations or cancellations of class rights?	Division 172
19	Corporation or directors may allow member to inspect books	section 175‑15 this section is a replaceable rule
20	Chapter 5—Meetings Director may call meetings	section 201‑1 this section is a replaceable rule
21	Request by members for directors to call general meetings	section 201‑5
22	When must directors comply with members’ request?	section 201‑10
23	When must a requested meeting be held?	section 201‑15
24	Amount of notice for general meeting	section 201‑20
25	Notice of general meeting to members, officers and observers	section 201‑25 subsections (2), (5) and (6) are replaceable rules
26	Auditor entitled to notice and other communications	section 201‑30
27	Contents of notice of general meeting	section 201‑35
28	Members’ resolutions	section 201‑40
29	Notice of members’ resolutions	section 201‑45
30	Members’ statements to be distributed	section 201‑50
31	Purpose	section 201‑55
32	Time and place for general meeting	section 201‑60
33	Technology	section 201‑65
34	Quorum	section 201‑70 subsections (1), (2), (5) and (6) are replaceable rules
35	Chairing general meeting	section 201‑75 this section is a replaceable rule
36	Auditor’s right to be heard at general meetings	section 201‑80
37	Adjourned meetings	section 201‑85 subsection (2) is a replaceable rule
38	Who may appoint a proxy	section 201‑90 this section is a replaceable rule
39	Rights of proxies	section 201‑95
40	Appointing a proxy	section 201‑100
41	Proxy documents	section 201‑105
42	Body corporate representative	section 201‑110
43	How many votes a member has	section 201‑115 this section is a replaceable rule
44	Objections to right to vote	section 201‑120 this section is a replaceable rule
45	How voting is carried out	section 201‑125 this section is a replaceable rule
46	Matters on which a poll may be demanded	section 201‑130
47	When a poll is effectively demanded	section 201‑135
48	When and how polls must be taken	section 201‑140 this section is a replaceable rule
49	Corporation must hold first general meeting within 3 months of registration	section 201‑145
50	Corporation must hold AGM	section 201‑150
51	Extension of time for holding AGM	section 201‑155
52	Business of AGM	section 201‑160
53	Questions and comments by members on corporation management at AGM	section 201‑165
54	Questions by members of auditors at AGM	section 201‑170
55	Circulating resolutions	section 204‑1
56	Resolutions of 1 member corporations	section 204‑5
57	Constitution to provide for meetings	section 212‑1
58	Calling directors’ meetings	section 212‑5 this section is a replaceable rule
59	Use of technology	section 212‑10
60	Chairing directors’ meetings	section 212‑15 this section is a replaceable rule
61	Quorum at directors’ meetings	section 212‑20
62	Passing of directors’ resolutions	section 212‑25 this section is a replaceable rule
63	Circulating resolutions of corporation with more than 1 director	section 215‑1 this section is a replaceable rule
64	Resolutions and declarations of 1 director corporation	section 215‑5
65	Minutes	section 220‑5
66	Members’ access to minutes	section 220‑10
67	Chapter 6—Officers Minimum number of directors	section 243‑1
68	Maximum number of directors	section 243‑5
69	Eligibility for appointment as a director	section 246‑1
70	Majority of director requirements	section 246‑5
71	Consent to act as director	section 246‑10
72	Corporation may appoint a director	section 246‑15 this section is a replaceable rule
73	Directors may appoint other directors to make up a quorum	section 246‑20 this section is a replaceable rule
74	Term of appointment	section 246‑25 subsections (1) and (3) are replaceable rules
75	Alternate directors	section 246‑30 this section is a replaceable rule
76	How does a person cease to be a director?	section 249‑1
77	Director may resign	section 249‑5 subsection (2) is a replaceable rule
78	Removal by members	section 249‑10
79	Removal by other directors	section 249‑15
80	Remuneration	section 252‑1
81	How a secretary or contact person is appointed	section 257‑20
82	Terms and conditions of office for secretaries	section 257‑45 this section is a replaceable rule
83	Terms and conditions of contact person’s appointment	section 257‑50 this section is a replaceable rule
84	Duties in relation to disclosure of, and voting on matters involving, material personal interests	Division 268
85	Powers of directors	section 274‑1 this section is a replaceable rule
86	Negotiable instruments	section 274‑5 this section is a replaceable rule
87	Delegation	section 274‑10
88	Right of access to corporation books	section 274‑15
89	Member approval needed for related party benefit	Part 6‑6

Division 60—What are the replaceable rules and when do they apply to a corporation?

60‑1 Replaceable rules

Which are the replaceable rules?

(1) A section or subsection whose heading contains the words “replaceable rule—see section 60‑1” is a replaceable rule.

To which corporations do the replaceable rules apply?

(2) The replaceable rules apply to:

(a) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (not being a corporation to which paragraph (b) applies) that is registered on or after the day this section commences (the commencing day); and

(b) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation:

(i) that was registered under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 as an Aboriginal corporation immediately before the commencing day; and

(ii) that repeals its constitution after the commencing day;

except to the extent to which the rules are modified or replaced by the corporation’s constitution as provided for in section 60‑5.

60‑5 Corporation’s constitution can modify or replace replaceable rules

A provision of a section or subsection of a replaceable rule that applies to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation can be modified or replaced by the corporation’s constitution.

Note: In modifying or replacing a replaceable rule, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must ensure that the matter covered by the original replaceable rule is provided for in the corporation’s constitution. If it is not, then the constitution may not be covering the matters provided for in the replaceable rules (see section 66‑1).

60‑10 Effect of constitution and replaceable rules

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution, and any replaceable rules that apply to the corporation, have effect as a contract:

(a) between the corporation and each member; and

(b) between the corporation and each director and corporation secretary; and

(2) Under the contract, each person agrees to observe and perform the requirements of the constitution and rules so far as they apply to that person.

60‑15 Failure to comply with replaceable rules

A failure to comply with the replaceable rules as they apply to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is not of itself a contravention of this Act (so the provisions about criminal liability, civil liability and injunctions do not apply).

60‑20 Modification by regulations

(1) The regulations may modify the replaceable rules in relation to:

(a) a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may:

(a) modify or repeal the replaceable rules; and

(b) set out new replaceable rules.

Division 63—What are the internal governance rules of a corporation?

63‑1 Meaning of internal governance rules

The following constitute the internal governance rules of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation:

(a) the replaceable rules (if any) applying to the corporation;

(b) the rules (if any) in the corporation’s constitution that modify or replace some or all of the replaceable rules;

(c) the rules (if any) in the corporation’s constitution providing for the resolution of disputes between the corporation and persons who are or who claim to be common law holders of native title;

(d) the other rules dealing with the internal governance of the corporation that are in the corporation’s constitution.

Division 66—What are the internal governance rules requirements?

66‑1 Requirements

(1) The following are the internal governance rules requirements for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) The corporation must have a constitution written in English that sets out the corporation’s objects.

(3) The corporation’s constitution must cover the matters that this Act specifies must be covered in the corporation’s constitution.

(3A) The corporation’s constitution must provide for the resolution of disputes internal to the operation of the corporation.

(3B) If:

(a) the application for registration of the corporation seeks registration for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate; or

(b) the corporation is a registered native title body corporate;

the corporation’s constitution must provide for the resolution of disputes between the corporation and a person who is or who claims to be a common law holder of native title (whether or not the person is a member of the corporation) in relation to:

(d) the corporation’s performance of its functions under the Native Title legislation.

(4) The internal governance rules must cover the matters that are provided for in the replaceable rules (see section 66‑5).

(5) The internal governance rules must also be:

(a) internally consistent; and

(b) adequate and workable, given the context in which the corporation operates; and

(d) consistent with the Native Title legislation if:

(i) the application for registration of the corporation seeks registration for the purpose of becoming a registered native title body corporate; or

(ii) the corporation is a registered native title body corporate.

(6) The corporation must meet the requirements at all times after registration.

Note 1: An application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may not be successful unless the corporation, on registration, is complying with the requirements (see section 29‑20).

Note 2: If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is making a change to its constitution and the Registrar is of the opinion that the corporation’s internal governance rules, after the change, would not comply with the internal governance rules requirements, the Registrar may refuse to register the change (see section 69‑30).

66‑5 Meaning of cover the matters provided for in the replaceable rules

If all replaceable rules apply or all are replaced

(1) The internal governance rules of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation cover the matters provided for in the replaceable rules if:

(a) all of the replaceable rules apply to the corporation; or

(b) none of the replaceable rules apply to the corporation and the corporation’s constitution covers all of the matters provided for in the replaceable rules.

If some replaceable rules apply and some are modified or replaced

(2) The internal governance rules of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation also cover the matters provided for in the replaceable rules if:

(a) some of the replaceable rules apply to the corporation; and

(b) the corporation’s constitution provides for the matters covered by the replaceable rules that the corporation has modified or replaced.

Corporation may also have other rules unrelated to the replaceable rules in its constitution

(3) To avoid doubt, and subject to the internal governance rules requirements, nothing in this Part precludes the constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation providing for a matter that is in addition to those matters provided for in the replaceable rules.

Regulations may modify section

(4) The regulations may modify this section.

(5) Without limiting subsection (4), the regulations may provide for further situations in which the internal governance rules of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation cover the matters provided for in the replaceable rules.

Division 69—Constitutions and amendment and replacement of constitutions

Subdivision 69‑A—Constitution on registration

69‑1 Constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

(1) The constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is the constitution that is registered in respect of the corporation.

Note: 75% of the persons specified in the application for registration as persons who consent to become members must approve the constitution before the application for registration is lodged (see section 29‑15).

(2) A constitution is an instrument (other than this Act):

(a) constituting, or defining the constitution of, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) governing the activities of such a corporation or its members.

Subdivision 69‑B—Constitutional changes after registration

69‑5 Overview—ways a constitution may be changed

Corporation wants to change its constitution

(1) For an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to change its constitution, the following steps must be complied with:

(a) the corporation must pass a special resolution effecting the change;

(b) if, under the corporation’s constitution, there are further steps that must also be complied with to make a constitutional change—those steps must be complied with (see section 69‑15);

(d) the Registrar must make certain decisions in respect of the constitutional change and, if appropriate, must register the change (see section 69‑30).

Note: The constitutional change takes effect when it is registered (see section 69‑40).

Court may change a constitution

(2) The court may also change an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution (see section 166‑5).

Note: The constitutional change takes effect as provided for in paragraph 69‑40(b).

Registrar may change a constitution

(3) The Registrar may also change an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution (see section 69‑35).

Note 1: If the Registrar changes a constitution under section 69‑35, the steps in subsection (1) of this section do not apply.

Note 2: The constitutional change takes effect when it is registered (see section 69‑40).

Special administrator may change a constitution

(4) A special administrator for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may also change the corporation’s constitution (see section 499‑5).

Note 1: If the special administrator changes a constitution under section 499‑5, the steps in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) of this section do not apply (but the administrator must lodge the change with the Registrar under section 69‑25 and the Registrar must take the steps in section 69‑30).

Note 2: The constitutional change takes effect when it is registered (see section 69‑40).

69‑10 Meaning of constitutional change etc.

(1) For the purposes of this Act, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution is changed if:

(a) the constitution is repealed and a new constitution is substituted; or

(b) a provision of the constitution is repealed and a new provision is substituted; or

(d) a new provision is added to the constitution; or

(e) a provision of the constitution is modified.

(2) The particular constitutional change is:

(a) in the case of paragraph (1)(a)—the new constitution; and

(b) in the case of paragraphs (1)(b) and (d)—the repeal (if any) and the new provision; and

(d) in the case of paragraph (1)(e)—the modification.

69‑15 Extra requirements for constitutional change in constitution

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that a change to its constitution does not have any effect unless a requirement specified in the constitution relating to that constitutional change has been complied with.

(2) Unless the constitution provides otherwise, the corporation may modify or repeal a requirement described in subsection (1) only if the requirement is itself complied with.

Note: Section 69‑40 deals with when the constitutional change takes effect.

69‑20 Corporation to lodge copy of constitutional changes

(1) If no requirement of a kind mentioned in section 69‑15 is specified in the corporation’s constitution, within 28 days after the special resolution is passed, the corporation must lodge with the Registrar:

(a) a copy of the special resolution; and

(b) a copy of those parts of the minutes of the meeting at which the special resolution was passed that relate to the passing of the special resolution; and

(d) a copy of the constitutional change.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) If a constitutional change is not to have effect until a requirement specified in the corporation’s constitution has been complied with, the corporation must lodge the documents referred to in subsection (1) in addition to proof that the requirement has been met within 28 days after the requirement has been met.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(4) The Registrar may direct the corporation to lodge a consolidated copy of the corporation’s constitution. The consolidation must set out the constitution as it will be if the Registrar registers the constitutional change.

(5) A directors’ statement is a statement signed by:

(a) 2 directors of the corporation; or

(b) if there is only 1 director—that director;

to the effect that the special resolution was passed in accordance with the internal governance rules.

Note: A secretary of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be liable for a civil penalty for a contravention of subsection (1) or (2). See sections 265‑40 and 386‑10.

69‑25 Special administrator to lodge copy of constitutional changes

If the special administrator of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation changes the corporation’s constitution under section 499‑5, the special administrator must lodge a copy of the change with the Registrar.

69‑30 Registrar to determine if constitutional change should be registered

Registrar to decide

(1) The Registrar must decide whether to register a constitutional change lodged under section 69‑20 or 69‑25.

Changed internal governance rules must comply with the internal governance rules requirement

(2) The Registrar must not register the change unless the Registrar is satisfied that, with the constitutional change, the internal governance rules of the corporation would comply with the internal governance rule requirements.

Proposed change after Registrar’s change

(3) In addition to being satisfied as required by subsection (2), the Registrar must not register a constitutional change lodged after the Registrar has changed the constitution under section 69‑35 unless the Registrar is satisfied that:

(a) the lodged change is consistent with the change made by the Registrar, taking into account the Registrar’s reasons for making that change; and

(b) the reasons for the Registrar making that change are no longer applicable.

If Registrar is not satisfied

(4) If the Registrar is not satisfied as required by this section, the Registrar must:

(a) refuse to register the change; and

(b) notify the corporation or special administrator concerned in writing of the decision within 28 days after that decision.

If Registrar is satisfied

(5) If the Registrar is satisfied as required by this section, the Registrar must register the change within 28 days after making the decision.

69‑35 Registrar may change an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution on own initiative

(1) The Registrar may, on his or her own initiative, change an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution in the circumstances set out in subsection (2) or (3).

(2) The Registrar may change the constitution if the Registrar is satisfied that the corporation is not meeting the internal governance rules requirements.

Note: Section 66‑1 sets out the requirements.

(3) The Registrar may change the constitution if the Registrar is satisfied that:

(a) the conduct of the corporation’s affairs; or

(b) an actual or proposed act or omission by or on behalf of the corporation; or

is either:

(d) contrary to the interests of the members as a whole; or

(e) oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, a member or members whether in that capacity or in any other capacity.

(4) The changes that the Registrar may make are the changes that the Registrar considers appropriate having regard to the internal governance rules requirements and the circumstances of the particular corporation.

(5) If the corporation is a registered native title body corporate, the Registrar must not change the constitution on the basis of:

(a) an act (or omission from doing an act); or

(b) a proposed act (or omission from doing an act);

if an officer or employee of the corporation does (or refrains from doing), or proposes to do (or refrain from doing), the act:

(d) with the belief that doing (or refraining from doing) the act is necessary to ensure that the corporation complies with a Native Title legislation obligation.

(6) The Registrar makes the change by registering it.

(7) If the Registrar changes the constitution, the Registrar must give the corporation written notice within 28 days after registration of the changes:

(a) stating that the Registrar has changed the constitution; and

(b) setting out the terms of the change.

(8) In making a change under this section, the Registrar does not have to comply with paragraph 69‑5(1)(a) (special resolution), section 69‑15 (satisfying extra requirements in constitution), section 69‑20 (corporation to lodge copy of changes) or section 69‑30 (Registrar to determine if constitutional change should be registered).

69‑40 Date of effect of constitutional change

A constitutional change takes effect:

(a) if it is the result of a special resolution—on the day the change is registered; or

(b) if it is the result of a Court order made under section 166‑5:

(i) on the date on which the order is made if it specifies no later date; or

(ii) on a date specified by the order; or

(d) if a special administrator has made the change—on the day the change is registered.

Division 72—Other matters concerning constitutions etc.

72‑1 Registrar may direct corporation to lodge constitution

(1) The Registrar may direct an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to lodge a copy of its constitution.

Note: Under section 322‑5, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must keep an up‑to‑date copy of its constitution.

(2) A direction made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

72‑5 Corporation must provide governance material to members

Corporation must provide member with constitution etc.

(1) If a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation asks for a copy of the corporation’s constitution or internal governance framework rules, the corporation must provide to the member a copy of the corporation’s internal governance framework rules:

(a) free of charge; and

(b) within 7 days.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Registered office

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation must make available for inspection by members and officers at its registered office, its internal governance framework rules. The rules must be available for inspection each business day from at least 10 am to 12 noon and from at least 2 pm to 4 pm.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence under section 376‑1.

Document access address

(4) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small or medium corporation must make available for inspection by members and officers at its document access address, its internal governance framework rules. The rules must be made available for inspection within 7 days of a member’s or officer’s written request for inspection.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence under section 376‑1.

(5) A corporation must make rules available under subsections (3) and (4) free of charge.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(6) An offence against subsection (5) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(7) The internal governance framework rules of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation are:

(a) the corporation’s constitution; and

(b) any replaceable rules that apply to the corporation; and

72‑10 Constitution may limit powers

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may contain an express restriction on, or a prohibition of, the corporation’s exercise of any of its powers. The exercise of a power by the corporation is not invalid merely because it is contrary to an express restriction or prohibition in the corporation’s constitution.

(2) An act of the corporation is not invalid merely because it is contrary to or beyond the objects set out in the corporation’s constitution.

Part 3‑3—Minimum number of members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Division 77—Minimum number of members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

77‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with the minimum number of members that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must have.

77‑5 Minimum number of members requirement

Minimum number of members

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must have the following minimum number of members:

(a) at least 5 members; or

(b) the lesser number of members determined under subsection (2), (3) or (4).

Request in application for registration for exemption from at least 5 members

(2) If:

(a) an application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is to be made; and

(b) the corporation is to have fewer than 5 members;

the applicant for registration must, in the application under section 21‑1, request that the Registrar:

(d) determine the corporation to have the lesser minimum number of members specified in the application.

Request after registration if determination under subsection (2) is in force

(3) If:

(a) the Registrar has determined a lesser number of members under subsection (2) in respect of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation and the determination is in force; and

(b) after registration of the corporation, the corporation wants to have fewer members than the number determined;

the corporation may request the Registrar in writing to:

(d) determine the corporation to have the lesser minimum number of members specified in the application.

Request after registration if no determination under subsection (2) is in force

(4) If:

(a) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is required to have at least 5 members; and

(b) after registration of the corporation, the corporation wants to have fewer than 5 members;

the corporation may request the Registrar in writing to:

(d) determine the corporation to have the lesser minimum number of members specified in the application.

77‑10 Registrar may exempt if appropriate and reasonable to do so

The Registrar may grant an exemption on a request under subsection 77‑5(2), (3) or (4) and allow a lesser number if the Registrar is satisfied that it is appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances to do so.

Note: For example, the Registrar may grant an exemption if the corporation was formed as a result of a court order.

77‑15 Registrar may determine a different number to number requested

In determining a lesser minimum number of members on a request under subsection 77‑5(2), (3) or (4), the Registrar may determine a number that is higher or lower than the number requested (so long as the number is less than 5).

77‑20 Earlier determination taken to be revoked

If the Registrar grants an exemption on a request under subsection 77‑5(3), the determination referred to in paragraph 77‑5(3)(a) is taken to be revoked.

77‑25 Notice to be given

(1) If the Registrar grants an exemption under section 77‑10, the Registrar must notify the applicant or corporation, as the case may be, in writing of the exemption and the minimum number of members that the corporation is instead required to have.

(2) If the Registrar does not grant the exemption, the Registrar must notify the applicant or corporation, as the case may be, in writing that the exemption has not been granted.

Part 3‑4—Names

Division 82—Introduction

82‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with the names requirement (Division 85) and how a name is changed (Division 88).

Division 85—What names may a corporation have?

85‑1 Corporation’s name requirements

(1) The requirements concerning an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name are set out in the following subsections.

(2) The corporation may have as its name:

(a) a name that is available (see section 85‑5); or

(b) the expression “Indigenous Corporation Number” followed by the corporation’s ICN.

(3) The corporation must have as part of its name one of the following sets of words:

(a) “Aboriginal corporation”;

(b) “Torres Strait Islander corporation”;

(d) “Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal corporation”;

(e) “Indigenous corporation”.

(4) If the corporation is a registered native title body corporate, then the corporation must also have as part of its name the words “registered native title body corporate”.

(5) If abbreviations are used in its name, the corporation must use only the abbreviations that are acceptable (see section 85‑10).

(6) If the corporation is not a registered native title body corporate the corporation must not:

(a) have the term “registered native title body corporate” as part of its name; or

(b) include the abbreviation “RNTBC” in its name.

(7) The requirements must be met by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation at all times after registration.

Note: The requirements must be complied with on registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (see section 29‑25).

85‑5 Available names

Name is available unless identical or unacceptable

(1) A name is available unless the name is:

(a) identical (under rules set out in the regulations) to a name that is:

(i) used in an application for registration under this Act; or

(ii) registered under this Act for another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(iii) registered under the Corporations Act; or

(iv) reserved for a company under section 152 of the Corporations Act; or

(b) identical (under rules set out in the regulations) to a name that is held or registered on the Business Names Register in respect of another individual or body who is not the person applying to have the name; or

Registrar may consent to a name being available

(2) The Registrar may consent in writing to a name being available to a corporation even if the name is:

(a) identical to a name:

(i) that is used in another current application for registration under this Act; or

(ii) registered under this Act for another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(iii) registered under the Corporations Act; or

(iv) reserved for a company under section 152 of the Corporations Act; or

(v) that is held or registered on Business Names Register; or

(b) unacceptable for registration under the regulations.

(3) The Registrar’s consent may be given subject to conditions.

Note: If the corporation breaches a condition, the Registrar may direct it to change its name under section 88‑5.

(4) The regulations may specify that a particular unacceptable name is available if:

(a) a specified public authority, or an instrumentality or agency of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, a State or an internal Territory has consented to the corporation using or assuming the name; or

(b) the corporation is otherwise permitted to use or assume the name by or under:

(i) an Act of the Commonwealth, a State or an internal Territory; or

(ii) a specified provision of an Act of the Commonwealth, a State or an internal Territory.

The consent of the authority, instrumentality or agency may be given subject to conditions.

Note: If the consent is withdrawn, the corporation ceases to be permitted or the corporation breaches a condition, the Registrar may direct it to change its name under section 88‑5.

85‑10 Acceptable abbreviations

(1) The abbreviations set out in the following table may be used:

(a) instead of words that this Act requires to be part of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name, or to be included in a document or on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s common seal; and

(b) instead of words that are part of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name; and

Acceptable abbreviations
	Word	Abbreviation
1	Australian	Aust
2	Number	No
3	and	&
4	Indigenous Corporation Number	ICN
5	Australian Business Number	ABN
6	registered native title body corporate	RNTBC

(2) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name includes any of these abbreviations, the word corresponding to the abbreviation may be used instead.

85‑15 Using a name and ICN on documents

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must set out its name on all its public documents and negotiable instruments.

(2) Subject to sections 85‑20 and 85‑25, if the corporation’s ICN is not used in its name, the corporation must also set out with its name, or with one of the references to its name, the expression “Indigenous Corporation Number” followed by the corporation’s ICN.

(3) If the corporation’s name appears on 2 or more pages of the document or instrument, this must be done on the first of those pages.

Note 1: If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has a common seal, its name and ICN must be set out on the seal (see section 42‑25).

Note 2: An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation must display its name at its registered office and at places at which the corporation carries on business (see section 112‑15).

Note 3: Section 85‑10 provides that “ICN” is an acceptable abbreviation of “Indigenous Corporation Number”.

(4) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3).

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

85‑20 Exception to requirement to have ICN on receipts

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation does not have to set out the expression “Indigenous Corporation Number” followed by its ICN on a receipt (for example, a cash register receipt) that sets out information recorded in the machine that produced the receipt.

85‑25 Regulations may exempt from requirement to set out information on documents

The regulations may exempt an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, or a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, from the requirement in subsection 85‑15(2) to set out information on its public documents and negotiable instruments.

Division 88—How is a corporation’s name changed?

88‑1 Corporation changing its name

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation wants to change its name, it must:

(a) pass a special resolution adopting a new name; and

(b) lodge an application in writing with the Registrar.

(2) The corporation must lodge:

(a) a copy of the special resolution; and

(b) a copy of those parts of the minutes of the meeting at which the special resolution was passed that relate to the passing of the special resolution;

with the Registrar within 28 days after the resolution is passed.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

Note: A secretary of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be liable for a civil penalty for a contravention of this section. See sections 265‑40 and 386‑10.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(4) If the proposed name complies with the requirements in section 85‑1, the Registrar must change the corporation’s name by altering the details of the corporation’s registration to reflect the change. The change of name takes effect when the Registrar alters the details of the corporation’s registration.

88‑5 Registrar’s power to direct corporation to change its name

(1) The Registrar may direct an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in writing to change its name within 2 months if:

(a) the name should not have been registered; or

(b) the corporation has breached a condition under subsection 85‑5(3) on the availability of the name; or

(d) the corporation has breached a condition on a consent given under subsection 85‑5(4); or

(e) the corporation ceases to be permitted to use or assume the name (as referred to in paragraph 85‑5(4)(b)).

(2) The corporation must comply with the direction within 2 months after being given it by doing everything necessary to change its name under section 88‑1.

Penalty: 50 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment, or both.

(3) If the corporation does not comply with subsection (2), the Registrar may change the corporation’s name to its ICN and any other words that section 85‑1 requires, by altering the details of the corporation’s registration to reflect the change.

(4) A change of name under subsection (3) takes effect when the Registrar alters the details of the corporation’s registration.

(5) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(6) A direction under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

88‑10 If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation becomes a registered native title body corporate

Notice required

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation becomes a registered native title body corporate, the corporation must, within 28 days after becoming registered, notify the Registrar in writing accordingly.

Registrar to change registration

(2) If:

(a) the Registrar is notified under subsection (1) that the corporation has become a registered native title body corporate; or

(b) the Registrar otherwise becomes aware of that fact;

the Registrar must change the corporation’s name by altering the details of the corporation’s registration to include the words “registered native title body corporate” in the corporation’s name.

When name change takes effect

(3) A change of name under subsection (2) takes effect when the Registrar alters the details of the corporation’s registration.

88‑15 If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation ceases to be a registered native title body corporate

Notice required

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is a registered native title body corporate (RNTBC) ceases to be a RNTBC, the corporation must, within 28 days after ceasing to be a RNTBC, notify the Registrar in writing accordingly.

Registrar to change registration

(2) If:

(a) the Registrar is notified under subsection (1) that the corporation has ceased to be a RNTBC; or

(b) the Registrar otherwise becomes aware of that fact;

the Registrar must change the corporation’s name by altering the details of the corporation’s registration to delete the words “registered native title body corporate” from the corporation’s name.

When name change takes effect

(3) A change of name under subsection (2) takes effect when the Registrar alters the details of the corporation’s registration.

88‑20 Registrar must issue new certificate if name changes

(1) If the Registrar changes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name, he or she must give to the corporation a new certificate of registration. The corporation’s new name is the name specified in the certificate of registration issued under this section.

Note 1: An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name may be changed under section 88‑1, 88‑5, 88‑10 or 88‑15.

Note 2: For the evidentiary value of a certificate of registration, see subsection 424‑5(2).

(2) A certificate under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

88‑25 Effect of name change

(1) The changing of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s name does not:

(a) create a new legal entity; or

(b) affect the corporation’s existing property, rights or obligations; or

(2) Any legal proceedings that could have been continued or begun by or against the corporation in its former name may be continued or begun by or against it in its new name.

Part 3‑5—Corporation powers and how they are exercised

Division 93—Introduction

93‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with the legal capacity and powers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

Division 96—What are a corporation’s powers?

96‑1 Legal capacity and powers

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has the legal capacity and powers of an individual within and outside Australia.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation also has all the powers of a body corporate, including the power to, if the corporation’s constitution permits, distribute any of the corporation’s property among the members, in kind or otherwise.

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s legal capacity to do something is not affected by the fact that the corporation’s interests are not, or would not be, served by doing it.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, this section does not:

(a) authorise an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to do an act that is prohibited by a law of a State or Territory; or

(b) give an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation a right that a law of a State or Territory denies to the corporation.

Division 99—How are a corporation’s powers exercised?

99‑1 Agent exercising a corporation’s power to make contracts etc.

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s power to make, vary, ratify or discharge a contract may be exercised by an individual acting with the corporation’s express or implied authority and on behalf of the corporation. The power may be exercised without using a common seal.

(2) This section does not affect the operation of a law that requires a particular procedure to be complied with in relation to the contract.

99‑5 Execution of documents (including deeds) by the corporation itself

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may execute a document without using a common seal if the document is signed by:

(a) 2 directors of the corporation; or

(b) a director and a corporation secretary (if any) of the corporation; or

Note: If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation executes a document in this way, people will be able to rely on the assumptions in subsection 104‑5(6) for dealings in relation to the corporation.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation with a common seal may execute a document if the seal is fixed to the document and the fixing of the seal is witnessed by:

(a) 2 directors of the corporation; or

(b) a director and a corporation secretary of the corporation; or

Note: If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation executes a document in this way, people will be able to rely on the assumptions in subsection 104‑5(7) for dealings in relation to the corporation.

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may execute a document as a deed if the document is expressed to be executed as a deed and is executed in accordance with subsection (1) or (2).

(4) This section does not limit the ways in which an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may execute a document (including a deed).

Part 3‑6—Assumptions people dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are entitled to make

Division 104—Assumptions people dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are entitled to make

104‑1 Entitlement to make assumptions

(1) A person is entitled to make the assumptions in section 104‑5 in relation to dealings with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. The corporation is not entitled to assert in proceedings in relation to the dealings that any of the assumptions are incorrect.

(2) A person is entitled to make the assumptions in section 104‑5 in relation to dealings with another person who has, or purports to have, directly or indirectly acquired title to property from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. The corporation and the other person are not entitled to assert in proceedings in relation to the dealings that any of the assumptions are incorrect.

(3) The assumptions may be made even if an officer or agent of the corporation acts fraudulently, or forges a document, in connection with the dealings.

(4) A person is not entitled to make an assumption in section 104‑5 if at the time of the dealings the person knew or suspected that the assumption was incorrect.

104‑5 Assumptions that can be made under section 104‑1

Constitution and replaceable rules complied with

(1) A person may assume that the corporation’s constitution and any provisions of this Act that apply to the corporation as replaceable rules, have been complied with.

Director or corporation secretary

(2) A person may assume that anyone who appears, from information provided by the corporation that is available to the public from the Registrar, to be a director or a corporation secretary of the corporation:

(a) has been duly appointed; and

(b) has authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties customarily exercised or performed by a director or corporation secretary of a similar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Contact person

(3) A person may assume that anyone who appears, from information that is available to the public from the Registrar to be the contact person of the corporation, is the contact person.

Officer or agent

(4) A person may assume that anyone who is held out by the corporation to be an officer or agent of the corporation:

(a) has been duly appointed; and

(b) has authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties customarily exercised or performed by that kind of officer or agent of a similar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Proper performance of duties

(5) A person may assume that the officers and agents of the corporation properly perform their duties to the corporation.

Document duly executed without seal

(6) A person may assume that a document has been duly executed by the corporation if the document appears to have been signed in accordance with subsection 99‑5(1). For the purposes of making the assumption, a person may also assume that anyone who signs the document and states next to his or her signature that he or she is the only director of the corporation is the only director of the corporation.

Document duly executed with seal

(7) A person may assume that a document has been duly executed by the corporation if:

(a) the corporation’s common seal appears to have been fixed to the document in accordance with subsection 99‑5(2); and

(b) the fixing of the common seal appears to have been witnessed in accordance with that subsection.

For the purposes of making the assumption, a person may also assume that anyone who witnesses the fixing of the common seal and states next to his or her signature that he or she is the only director of the corporation is the only director of the corporation.

Officer or agent with authority to warrant that document is genuine or true copy

(8) A person may assume that an officer or agent of the corporation who has authority to issue a document or a certified copy of a document on its behalf also has authority to warrant that the document is genuine or is a true copy.

(9) Without limiting the generality of this section, the assumptions that may be made under this section apply for the purposes of this section.

104‑10 Information available to the public from Registrar does not constitute constructive notice

A person is not taken to have information about an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation merely because the information is available to the public from the Registrar.

Part 3‑7—Registered office or document access address

Division 109—Introduction

109‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with:

(a) the registered office of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation; and

(b) the document access address of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small or medium corporation.

Division 112—Registered office

112‑1 General

Application of Division

(1) This Division applies to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if it is registered as a large corporation.

Small and medium corporations not to have registered office

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small or medium corporation must not have a registered office.

112‑5 Corporation to have registered office

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation must have a registered office in Australia.

Note: A document may be served on a large corporation by leaving it at, or posting it to, the corporation’s registered office (see section 120‑1).

(2) If the corporation has one or more places of business in Australia, one of those places must be its registered office.

(3) The corporation must lodge notice of a change of address of its registered office with the Registrar not later than 28 days after the date on which the change occurs.

Note: If the corporation is not to be the occupier of premises at the address of its new registered office, the notice must state that the occupier has consented to the address being specified in the notice and has not withdrawn that consent (see section 112‑20).

(4) A notice of change of address takes effect when the changed address is included on the Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations.

(5) The corporation commits an offence if the corporation does not have a registered office in Australia.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(6) The corporation commits an offence if:

(a) the corporation has one or more places of business in Australia; and

(b) one of those places of business is not the corporation’s registered office.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(7) The corporation commits an offence if:

(a) the corporation’s registered office address changes; and

(b) the corporation does not lodge the notice required by subsection (3) within 28 days after the change.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(8) An offence against subsection (5) or (6) or paragraph (7)(b) is an offence of strict liability.

Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Note 2: A secretary of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be liable for a civil penalty for a contravention of subsection (5), (6) or (7). See sections 265‑40 and 386‑10.

112‑10 Registrar may change address of registered office to a director’s address

(1) If the corporation does not occupy the premises at the address of its registered office, the corporation must be able to show the Registrar the occupier’s written consent to the corporation’s use of those premises as its registered office.

Note: The Registrar can require the corporation to produce the consent (see section 112‑20).

(2) The corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(4) If the Registrar becomes aware that the occupier of those premises:

(a) has not consented to the use of the premises as the address of the corporation’s registered office; or

(b) has withdrawn the consent;

the Registrar may:

(c) give written notice to a director of the corporation who resides in Australia that the Registrar intends to change the address of the corporation’s registered office to the director’s address; and

(d) if the Registrar is not notified of the address of the corporation’s proposed new registered office under section 112‑5 within 14 days after the notice under that section is sent—change the address of the corporation’s registered office to the address of that director.

(5) A notice under paragraph (4)(c) is not a legislative instrument.

112‑15 Corporation’s name must be displayed

(1) The corporation must display its name and ICN prominently at its registered office. The corporation must also display its name and ICN at every place at which the corporation carries on business if that place is open to the public.

(2) The corporation commits an offence if the corporation fails to prominently display its name and ICN:

(a) at its registered office; or

(b) at a place at which the corporation carries on business that is open to the public.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

112‑20 Address of registered office etc.

(1) If a provision of this Act requires a notice to be lodged of, or information in an application to specify:

(a) the address of an office, or of a proposed office, of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or other person; or

(b) a change in the situation and address of an office of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or other person;

the notice or information must specify the matters set out in subsections (2) and (3).

(2) The notice or information must specify the full address, or the full new address, as the case requires, of the relevant office including, where applicable, the number of the room and of the floor or level of the building in which the office is situated.

(3) If:

(a) the notice or application relates to the address or situation of an office of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) the address specified in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) is the address of premises that the corporation will not occupy;

the notice or information must include a written statement to the effect that the person who occupies those premises:

(d) has not withdrawn that consent.

(4) The Registrar may require a person who has lodged a notice or application that includes a statement under subsection (3) to produce to the Registrar the consent referred to in the statement.

(5) A requirement under subsection (4) is not a legislative instrument.

Division 115—Document access address

115‑1 Division applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered as small or medium corporations

This Division applies to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small or medium corporation.

115‑5 Corporation to have document access address

(1) The corporation must have a document access address in Australia.

Note 1: Certain documents must be kept at this address and must be available for inspection at this address.

Note 2: The document access address is not an address at which documents can be served on the corporation. See section 120‑1 for the addresses at which documents can be served on the corporation.

(2) The corporation must lodge notice of a change of address of its document access address with the Registrar not later than 28 days after the date on which the change occurs.

Note: If the corporation is not to be the occupier of premises at the address of its document access address, the notice must state that the occupier has consented to the address being specified in the notice and has not withdrawn that consent (see section 115‑20).

(3) A notice of change of address takes effect from the later of:

(a) the seventh day after the notice was lodged; or

(b) a later day specified in the notice as the date from which the change is to take effect.

(4) The corporation commits an offence if the corporation does not have a document access address in Australia.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) The corporation commits an offence if:

(a) the corporation’s document access address changes; and

(b) the corporation does not lodge the notice required by subsection (2) within 28 days after the change.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(6) An offence against subsection (4) or paragraph (5)(b) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

115‑10 Registrar may change document access address to a director’s address

(1) If the corporation does not occupy the premises at the address of its document access address, the corporation must be able to show the Registrar the occupier’s written consent to the corporation’s use of those premises as its document access address.

Note: The Registrar can require the corporation to produce the consent (see section 115‑20).

(2) The corporation commits an offence if it fails to comply with a request by the Registrar to show the Registrar that consent.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(4) If the Registrar becomes aware that the occupier of those premises:

(a) has not consented to the use of the premises as the address of the corporation’s document access address; or

(b) has withdrawn the consent;

the Registrar may:

(c) give written notice to a director of the corporation who resides in Australia that the Registrar intends to change the address of the corporation’s document access address to the director’s address; and

(d) if the Registrar is not notified of the address of the corporation’s proposed new document access address under section 115‑5 within 14 days after the notice under that section is sent—change the address of the corporation’s document access address to the address of that director.

(5) A notice under paragraph (4)(c) is not a legislative instrument.

115‑15 Registrar may direct corporation to change the location of its document access address

(1) If the Registrar is satisfied that the corporation’s document access address is not in an area that allows the corporation’s members appropriate access to the corporation’s books, the Registrar may direct the corporation to change its document access address so that it is within the area specified in the direction.

(2) The direction must:

(a) be given by notice in writing to the corporation; and

(b) specify the period within which the direction must be complied with.

(3) The period specified under paragraph (2)(b) must be at least 28 days after the day on which the notice is given to the corporation.

(4) The corporation commits an offence if it does not comply with the direction.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(6) A direction under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

115‑20 Address of document access address

(1) If a provision of this Act requires a notice to be lodged of, or information in an application to specify:

(a) the address of the document access address, or of a proposed document access address, of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a change in the situation and address of the document access address of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

the notice or information must specify the matters set out in subsections (2) and (3).

(2) The notice or information must specify the full address, or the full new address, as the case requires, of the document access address including, where applicable, the number of the room and of the floor or level of the building in which the document access address is situated.

(3) If the address specified in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) is the address of premises that the corporation will not occupy, the notice or information must include a written statement to the effect that:

(a) the person who occupies those premises has consented in writing to the address being specified in the notice or application; and

(b) has not withdrawn that consent.

(4) The Registrar may require a person who has lodged a notice or application that includes a statement under subsection (3) to produce to the Registrar the consent referred to in the statement.

(5) A requirement under subsection (4) is not a legislative instrument.

Part 3‑8—Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Division 120—Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

120‑1 Service on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

(1) A notice, demand, summons, writ or other document or process may be served on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation by:

(a) if the corporation is registered as a large corporation—leaving it at, or posting it to, the corporation’s registered office; or

(b) if the corporation is registered as a large corporation—serving a copy of the document personally on the corporation secretary; or

(c) if the corporation is registered as a small or medium corporation—serving a copy of the document personally on the contact person or by sending it by post to his or her address; or

(d) serving a copy of the document personally on a director; or

(e) if a liquidator of the corporation has been appointed—leaving it at, or posting it to, the address of the liquidator’s office in the most recent notice of that address lodged with the Registrar; or

(f) if an administrator of the corporation has been appointed—leaving it at, or posting it to, the address of the administrator in the most recent notice of that address lodged with the Registrar; or

(g) if a special administrator of the corporation has been appointed—leaving it at, or posting it to, the address of the special administrator in the most recent notice of that address lodged with the Registrar.

(2) The address for service of the contact person is the address that is on the Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations for the contact person.

(3) The Registrar may change the address on the register in respect of the registered office or contact person if:

(a) the Registrar is notified of a new address by the corporation or contact person; or

(b) the Registrar otherwise becomes aware that the corporation or contact person has a new address.

Note: This subsection also applies to a director’s address that has become the corporation’s registered office under section 112‑10 and to a director who has become a contact person under section 257‑25.

Chapter 4—Members and observers

Part 4‑1—Introduction

Division 130—Introduction

130‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter deals with membership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (Part 4‑2), observers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (Part 4‑3), members’ rights (Part 4‑4) and the register of members and the register of former members (Part 4‑5).

Part 4‑2—Members

Division 135—Introduction

135‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Division 138 deals with the meaning of member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Subdivision 141‑B deals with various rules that are imposed on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation concerning membership.

Subdivision 141‑C imposes 1 eligibility requirement for membership but a corporation may impose other such requirements. A registered native title body corporate must include particular eligibility requirements relating to common law holders.

Division 144 deals with how a person becomes a member.

Division 147 deals with member obligations.

Division 150 deals with how a person ceases to be member.

Division 153 provides for different classes of members.

Division 138—Who is a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

138‑1 Meaning of member

(1) A person is a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if the person:

(a) is a member of the corporation on its registration; or

(b) agrees to become a member of the corporation after its registration and the person’s name is entered on the register of members.

Note: Section 180‑5 requires the corporation to enter the names and addresses of all of its members on the register of members.

(2) A person referred to in paragraph (1)(b) becomes a member when the person’s name is entered on the register of members.

Note: Under section 42‑10, a person who is specified in the application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a member of the corporation becomes a member on registration of the corporation.

Division 141—Membership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

Subdivision 141‑A—Introduction

141‑1 Overview

(1) There are ongoing requirements relating to the membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that are imposed on the corporation (see Subdivision 141‑B).

(2) These requirements have implications for the eligibility of persons for membership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (see section 141‑20).

(3) In addition, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may impose additional eligibility requirements for membership of the corporation (see section 141‑25). A registered native title body corporate must include particular eligibility requirements relating to common law holders.

Subdivision 141‑B—Ongoing requirements relating to membership that are imposed on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

141‑5 Minimum number of members requirement

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must meet the minimum number of members requirement set out in section 77‑5 at all times.

Note: Section 26‑1 also requires the minimum number of members requirement (explained in section 29‑1) to be met at registration of the corporation.

141‑10 Indigeneity requirement

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must meet the Indigeneity requirement set out in section 29‑5 at all times.

Note: Section 26‑1 also requires the Indigeneity requirement (explained in section 29‑5) to be met at registration of the corporation.

(2) However, the corporation’s constitution may provide that the corporation must have a number or percentage of persons who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons that is higher than the number or percentage required in the Indigeneity requirement.

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that does increase the number or percentage of persons that are required to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons is not in breach of subsection (1) only because that increased number or percentage is not attained.

141‑15 Age of members requirement

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must meet the age of members requirement set out in section 29‑10 at all times.

Note 1: The requirement is that the members of the corporation be at least 15 years of age.

Note 2: Section 29‑10 also requires the age of members requirement to be met at registration of the corporation.

(2) However, the corporation’s constitution may provide that the members of the corporation must be at least of an age that is older than 15 years.

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that does increase the minimum age of members is not in breach of subsection (1) only because some members are younger than that increased minimum age.

Subdivision 141‑C—A person’s eligibility for membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

141‑20 Eligibility for membership

An individual who is at least 15 years of age is eligible for membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

141‑25 Corporation may have other eligibility requirements for membership

(1) The constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may provide for other eligibility requirements for membership of the corporation.

(2) If the corporation is a registered native title body corporate, the constitution must include eligibility requirements for membership that provide for all the common law holders of native title to be represented, directly or indirectly.

Division 144—How to become a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation

144‑1 How does a person become a member?

A person becomes a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if:

(a) the person applies as provided for in section 144‑5; and

(b) the person is eligible for membership; and

(d) the person is entered on the register of members (see subsection 144‑10(5)).

144‑5 Application to corporation

(1) A person (the applicant) who wants to become a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must apply to the corporation.

Application to be in writing (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) The application must be in writing.

144‑10 Determination of applications for membership

(1) The directors are responsible for deciding membership applications in respect of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) The directors must not accept an application for membership of the corporation unless:

(a) the applicant applies for membership in the required manner; and

(b) the applicant meets the eligibility for membership requirements of the corporation.

When membership application may be refused

(3) Unless the corporation is a registered native title body corporate, the directors may refuse to accept the membership application even if paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) are complied with.

(3A) The directors must accept the membership application if:

(a) the corporation is a registered native title body corporate; and

(b) paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) are complied with.

Circumstances when application not to be accepted

(4) Despite subsections (3) and (3A), the directors must not accept the application if, by accepting the application, the corporation would be in breach of the requirement in section 141‑10 (to at all times be complying with the Indigeneity requirement).

If application accepted, entry on the register of members

(5) If the directors accept the application, the corporation must enter the member on the register of members. Subject to subsection (8), the corporation must do so within 14 days of the acceptance.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

Corporation to give notice if application not accepted

(6) If the directors decide not to accept the application, the corporation must notify the person of the decision and the reasons for it.

Notice to be in writing (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(7) The notice must be in writing.

No admission to membership before a general meeting has been held

(8) If:

(a) the applicant applies for membership after a notice has been given for the holding of a general meeting; and

(b) the meeting has not been held at the time that the directors consider the application;

then the corporation must not enter the person on the register of members until after the general meeting has been held.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation from the requirement of this subsection (see section 187‑5).

(9) An offence against subsection (5) or (8) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

144‑15 Fees for membership and being an observer

(1) Unless an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution provides otherwise, the corporation must not impose fees in respect of membership of the corporation or in respect of being an observer of the corporation.

Note: Section 158‑5 deals with observers.

(2) If the corporation’s constitution provides for the charging of such fees, the fees, and the amount of the fees, are to be determined by the corporation by resolution in general meeting.

Division 147—Obligations of members

147‑1 Obligation to contribute on winding up

If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution provides that the members must contribute to the property of the corporation on winding up then the members must so contribute. Otherwise, the members are not liable to contribute.

147‑5 Corporation may impose other member obligations

The constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may provide for other obligations that attach to membership of the corporation.

147‑10 Liability of corporation members

If application for registration says members are not to be liable for debts of the body

(1) If the application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation states that people who are members and former members are not to be liable to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the corporation, the members and former members are not liable so to contribute.

If application for registration says members are to be liable for debts of the body

(2) If the application for registration states that people who are members and former members are to be liable to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the corporation on a particular basis, the members and former members are liable so to contribute on that basis.

Division 150—How does a person cease to be a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

Subdivision 150‑A—General

150‑1 Cessation of membership

Ways a membership ceases

(1) This Division deals with the various ways in which a person ceases to be a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. The various ways are:

(a) if the person resigns as a member of the corporation (see Subdivision 150‑B); or

(b) if the person dies; or

(d) if the member is a body corporate and the body corporate ceases to exist.

When a person ceases to be a member

(2) A person ceases to be a member when the member’s name is removed from the register of members as a current member of the corporation.

Subdivision 150‑B—Resignation of membership

150‑10 Resignation

Resignation to be given to corporation

(1) A member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may resign as a member by notice given to the corporation.

Notice to be in writing (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) The notice must be in writing.

(3) Within 14 days after receiving the notice, the corporation must remove the member’s name from the register of members as a current member of the corporation.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Subdivision 150‑C—Cancellation of membership

150‑15 General

Eligibility for membership etc.

(1) Section 150‑20 is a replaceable rule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations other than registered native title bodies corporate that provides a model for the cancellation of membership on the grounds of ineligibility for membership or failure to pay fees.

Note: As a replaceable rule, section 150‑20 can be modified or replaced by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation and replaced in whole or in part by a provision that suits the corporation’s particular circumstances (subject to the internal governance rules requirements).

(1A) Section 150‑22 provides for cancellation of membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is a registered native title body corporate on the grounds of ineligibility for membership or failure to pay fees. If membership of such a corporation is to be cancelled on either of these grounds, the only way the membership may be cancelled is as provided for in section 150‑22.

Specific grounds for cancellation of membership

(2) Sections 150‑25, 150‑30 and 150‑35 deal with cancellation of membership on the grounds that:

(a) the member is uncontactable (see section 150‑25); and

(b) the member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person (see section 150‑30); and

If a membership is to be cancelled on any of the grounds set out in these sections, the only way the membership may be cancelled is as provided for in the applicable section.

Registered native title body corporate constitution may not include other grounds for cancellation

(2A) The constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is a registered native title body corporate must not provide for cancellation of membership on any other ground.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation, or the directors of the corporation, from the requirements of this section (see section 187‑5).

(3) Within 14 days after the cancellation of membership, the corporation must remove the member’s name from the register of members as a current member of the corporation.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

150‑20 Member of corporation that is not a registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc. (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Cancellation of membership if member is not eligible etc.

(1) The directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is not a registered native title body corporate may, by resolution, cancel the membership of a member of the corporation if:

(a) either:

(i) the member is not eligible for membership; or

(ii) the member has ceased to be eligible for membership of the corporation; or

(b) the member has not paid the member’s membership fees (if any).

Member to be given notice

(2) Before cancelling the membership, the directors must give the member notice in writing:

(a) stating that the directors intend to cancel the membership for the reasons specified in the notice; and

(b) stating that the member has 14 days to object to the cancellation of the membership; and

(i) in writing; and

(ii) given to the corporation within the period of 14 days from the day the notice is given.

If member does not object

(4) If the member does not object as provided for in paragraph (2)(c), the directors must cancel the membership.

If member does object

(5) If the member does object as provided for in paragraph (2)(c):

(a) the directors must not cancel the membership; and

(b) only the corporation by resolution in general meeting may cancel the membership.

Notice of resolution to be given

(6) If the membership is cancelled, the directors must give the member a copy of the resolution (being either the resolution of the directors or the resolution of the general meeting) as soon as practicable after the resolution has been passed.

150‑22 Member of registered native title body corporate not eligible for membership etc.

Operation of section

(1) This section operates despite any provision of the constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if the corporation is a registered native title body corporate.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation, or the directors of the corporation, from the requirements of this section (see section 187‑5).

Membership may be cancelled if not eligible etc.

(2) If the membership of a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is a registered native title body corporate is to be cancelled on the ground of ineligibility for membership or failure to pay fees, the membership may only be cancelled on that ground if the cancellation is effected in the manner and circumstances set out in subsections (3) to (6).

Manner and circumstances

(3) The directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is a registered native title body corporate may, by resolution, cancel the membership of a member of the corporation if:

(a) either:

(i) the member is not eligible for membership; or

(ii) the member has ceased to be eligible for membership of the corporation; or

(b) the member has not paid the member’s membership fees (if any).

(4) Before cancelling the membership, the directors must give the member notice in writing:

(a) stating that the directors intend to cancel the membership for the reasons specified in the notice; and

(b) stating that the member has 14 days to object to the cancellation of the membership; and

(i) in writing; and

(ii) given to the corporation within the period of 14 days from the day the notice is given.

(5) If the member does not object as provided for in paragraph (4)(c), the directors must cancel the membership.

(6) If the member does object as provided for in paragraph (4)(c):

(a) the directors must not cancel the membership; and

(b) only the corporation by resolution in general meeting may cancel the membership.

Notice

(7) If the membership is cancelled, the directors must give the member a copy of the resolution (being either the resolution of the directors or the resolution of the general meeting) as soon as practicable after the resolution has been passed.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(8) An offence against subsection (7) is an offence of strict liability.

150‑25 Member not contactable

Operation of section

(1) This section operates despite section 150‑20 or any provision of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation, or the directors of the corporation, from the requirements of this section (see section 187‑5).

Membership may be cancelled if not contactable

(2) If the membership of a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is to be cancelled on the ground that the member is not contactable, the membership may only be cancelled on that ground if the cancellation is effected in the manner and circumstances set out in subsection (3).

Manner and circumstances

(3) The membership may be cancelled by special resolution in general meeting if:

(a) the corporation has not been able to contact the member at the address for the member that is entered on the register of members; and

(b) the corporation has not been able to contact that person at that address for a continuous period of 2 years prior to the meeting; and

(c) the corporation has made 2 or more reasonable attempts to otherwise contact the member during that 2 year period but has been unable to.

Notice

(4) If the corporation does so cancel the membership, the directors must send the member a copy of the resolution at the last known address of the member, as soon as practicable after the resolution has been passed.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

150‑30 Member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person

Operation of section

(1) This section operates despite section 150‑20 or any provision of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation, or the directors of the corporation, from the requirements of this section (see section 187‑5).

Membership may be cancelled if not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person

(2) If it is a requirement for eligibility for membership of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that a member be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, a member’s membership may only be cancelled on the ground that the person is not such a person if the cancellation is effected in the manner and circumstance set out in subsection (3).

Manner and circumstances

(3) The corporation, by special resolution in general meeting, may cancel the membership of the member if the general meeting is satisfied that the member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person.

Notice

(4) If the corporation does so cancel the membership, the directors must give the member a copy of the resolution as soon as practicable after the resolution has been passed.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

150‑35 Member misbehaves

Operation of section

(1) This section operates despite section 150‑20 or any provision of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation, or the directors of the corporation, from the requirements of this section (see section 187‑5).

Membership may be cancelled if member misbehaves

(2) If the membership of a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is to be cancelled on the grounds that the member has misbehaved, the membership may only be cancelled on that ground if the cancellation is affected in the manner and circumstance provided for in subsection (3).

Manner and circumstances

(3) The corporation may cancel the membership by special resolution in general meeting if the general meeting is satisfied that member has behaved in a manner that significantly interfered with the operation of the corporation or of corporation meetings.

Notice

(4) If the corporation does so cancel the membership, the directors must give the member a copy of the resolution as soon as practicable after the resolution has been passed.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

Strict liability offence

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Division 153—Can there be different classes of members?

153‑1 Different classes of members

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that the corporation has different classes of members.

(2) The corporation’s constitution may provide that different rights may attach to different classes of membership.

Note: The rule under section 201‑115 that, subject to those different rights, each member has 1 vote on a show of hands and, on a poll, 1 vote is a replaceable rule.

Part 4‑3—Observers

Division 158—Observers

158‑1 What this Part is about

This Part enables an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to have observers of the corporation if observers are provided for in the corporation’s constitution.

If the corporation chooses to have observers, the corporation’s constitution must also provide for the appointment of observers, their rights and obligations (if any) and how the observers cease to be observers.

158‑5 Observers

Corporation may have observers

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide for the corporation to have observers.

Entitlement of observer to attend general meeting (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) An observer is entitled to attend a general meeting of the corporation but is not a member of the corporation.

Note: Only members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may vote at a meeting of the corporation (see section 201‑115).

Other matters for which constitution must provide if corporation has observers

(3) If the constitution provides for the corporation to have observers, the constitution must also provide for the following matters:

(a) the application process for becoming an observer of the corporation;

(b) the eligibility criteria for becoming an observer of the corporation;

(d) the rights (if any) that an observer has in relation to the corporation;

(e) how an observer ceases to be an observer of the corporation.

Part 4‑4—Protection of members’ interests

Division 163—Rights and remedies to protect interests of members

163‑1 Rights and remedies

The rights and remedies that are conferred by this Part to protect the interests of members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are:

(a) the right to seek a Court order concerning oppressive conduct of the affairs of the corporation as provided for in Division 166; and

(b) the right to bring or intervene in proceedings on behalf of the corporation as provided for in Division 169; and

(d) the right to apply to the Court for an order to inspect the corporation’s books as provided for in Division 175.

Division 166—Oppressive conduct of affairs

166‑1 Grounds for Court order

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Court may make an order under section 166‑5 if:

(a) the conduct of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s affairs; or

(b) an actual or proposed act or omission by or on behalf of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(c) a resolution, or a proposed resolution, of members or a class of members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

is either:

(d) contrary to the interests of the members as a whole; or

(e) oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to or unfairly discriminatory against, a member or members whether in that capacity or in any other capacity.

(2) If the corporation is a registered native title body corporate, the Court must not make an order under subsection 166‑5(1) on the basis of:

(a) an act (or omission from doing an act); or

(b) a proposed act (or omission from doing an act);

if an officer or employee of the corporation does (or refrains from doing), or proposes to do (or refrain from doing), the act:

(d) with the belief that doing (or refraining from doing) the act is necessary to ensure that the corporation complies with a Native Title legislation obligation.

166‑5 Orders the Court can make

(1) The Court can make any order under this section that it considers appropriate in relation to the corporation, including the following:

(a) an order that the corporation be wound up;

(b) an order that the corporation’s existing constitution be modified or repealed and replaced;

(d) an order for the corporation to institute, prosecute, defend or discontinue specified proceedings;

(e) an order appointing a receiver, or a receiver and manager, of any or all of the corporation’s property;

(f) an order restraining a person from engaging in specified conduct or from doing a specified act;

(g) an order requiring a person to do a specified act.

Order that the corporation be wound up

(2) If an order that the corporation be wound up is made under this section, the provisions of this Act relating to the winding up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations apply:

(a) as if the order were made under section 526‑1; and

(b) with such changes as are necessary.

Without limiting this, section 526‑35 (which applies certain provisions of the Corporations Act) applies to the winding up.

Changes to constitution made after order that are inconsistent with the Court ordered change

(3) If:

(a) the constitution of the corporation is changed by an order made under this section; and

(b) after the order, a change to the constitution is proposed; and

the Registrar must not register the proposed change unless:

(d) the order states that the constitution can be changed; or

(e) the leave of the court is obtained by:

(i) in any case—the Registrar; or

(ii) if the change is not to be made under section 69‑35—the corporation.

Note: See section 69‑10 for the meaning of changed in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution.

166‑10 Who can apply for an order?

An application for an order under section 166‑5 in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be made by:

(a) a member of the corporation, even if the application relates to an act or omission that is against:

(i) the member in a capacity other than as a member; or

(ii) another member in that member’s capacity as a member; or

(b) a person who has ceased to be a member of the corporation if the application relates to the circumstances in which the person ceased to be a member; or

(c) a person whom the Registrar thinks appropriate having regard to investigations the Registrar is conducting or has conducted into:

(i) the corporation’s affairs; or

(ii) matters connected with the corporation’s affairs; or

(d) the Registrar.

166‑15 Requirement for person to lodge order

(1) If an order is made under section 166‑5, the applicant must lodge a copy of the order with the Registrar within 14 days after it is made.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the applicant is the Registrar.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

(4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Division 169—When may a person bring or intervene in proceedings on behalf of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation?

169‑1 Bringing, or intervening in, proceedings on behalf of a corporation

(1) A person who is:

(a) either:

(i) a member, former member, or person entitled to be registered as a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or of a related body corporate; or

(ii) an officer or former officer of the corporation; or

(iii) the Registrar; and

(b) acting with leave granted under section 169‑5;

may:

(d) intervene in any proceedings to which an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the corporation for those proceedings, or for a particular step in those proceedings (for example, compromising or settling them).

(2) Proceedings brought on behalf of the corporation must be brought in the corporation’s name.

(3) Any right a person may have otherwise had at general law to bring, or intervene in, proceedings on behalf of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is abolished.

Note: This section does not prevent a person bringing, or intervening in, proceedings on the person’s own behalf in respect of a personal right.

169‑5 Applying for and granting leave

Who may apply for leave?

(1) A person referred to in paragraph 169‑1(1)(a) may apply to the Court for leave to bring, or to intervene in, proceedings.

Court to grant the application in certain circumstances

(2) The Court must grant the application if it is satisfied that:

(a) it is probable that the corporation will not itself bring the proceedings, or properly take responsibility for them, or for the steps in them; and

(b) the applicant is acting in good faith; and

(d) if the applicant is applying for leave to bring proceedings—there is a serious question to be tried; and

(e) either:

(i) at least 14 days before making the application, the applicant gave written notice to the corporation of the intention to apply for leave and of the reasons for applying; or

(ii) it is appropriate to grant leave even though subparagraph (i) is not satisfied.

This subsection has effect subject to subsections (3) and (5).

When leave is not in the best interests of the corporation

(3) A rebuttable presumption that granting leave is not in the best interests of the corporation arises if it is established that:

(a) the proceedings are:

(i) by the corporation against a person who is not a related party of the corporation; or

(ii) by such a person against the corporation;

(including any appeal from a decision made in proceedings by or against the corporation); and

(b) the corporation has decided:

(i) not to bring the proceedings; or

(ii) not to defend the proceedings; or

(iii) to discontinue, settle or compromise the proceedings; and

(i) acted in good faith for a proper purpose; and

(ii) did not have a material personal interest in the decision; and

(iii) informed themselves about the subject matter of the decision to the extent they reasonably believed to be appropriate; and

(iv) rationally believed that the decision was in the best interests of the corporation.

Note: Related party is defined in section 293‑1.

(4) A director’s belief that the decision was in the best interests of the corporation is a rational one unless the belief is one that no reasonable person in his or her position would hold.

Decision taken to give effect to Native Title legislation obligation

(5) The Court must not grant the application if:

(a) the corporation has decided:

(i) not to bring the proceedings; or

(ii) not to defend the proceedings; or

(iii) to discontinue, settle or compromise the proceedings; and

(b) an officer or employee of the corporation made that decision:

(i) in good faith; and

(ii) with the belief that making the decision was necessary to ensure that the corporation complies with a Native Title legislation obligation.

169‑10 Substitution of another person for the person granted leave

(1) Any of the following persons may apply to the Court for an order that the person be substituted for a person to whom leave has been granted under section 169‑5:

(a) a member, former member, or a person entitled to be registered as a member of the corporation or of a related body corporate;

(b) an officer, or former officer of the corporation;

When may Court make order

(2) The Court may make the order if it is satisfied that:

(a) the applicant is acting in good faith; and

(b) it is appropriate to make the order in all the circumstances.

(3) An order substituting one person for another has the effect that:

(a) the grant of leave is taken to have been made in favour of the substituted person; and

(b) if the other person has already brought the proceedings or intervened—the substituted person is taken to have brought those proceedings or to have made that intervention.

169‑15 Effect of ratification by members

(1) If the members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation ratify or approve conduct, the ratification or approval:

(a) does not prevent a person from bringing or intervening in proceedings with leave under section 169‑5 or from applying for leave under that section; and

(b) does not have the effect that proceedings brought or intervened in with leave under section 169‑5 must be determined in favour of the defendant, or that an application for leave under that section must be refused.

Effect of ratification on court

(2) If the members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation ratify or approve conduct, the Court may take the ratification or approval into account in deciding what order or judgment (including as to damages) to make in:

(a) proceedings brought or intervened in with leave under section 169‑5; or

(b) in relation to an application for leave under that section.

(3) In doing this, it must have regard to:

(a) how well‑informed about the conduct the members were when deciding whether to ratify or approve the conduct; and

(b) whether the members who ratified or approved the conduct were acting for proper purposes.

169‑20 Leave to discontinue, compromise or settle proceedings brought, or intervened in, with leave

Proceedings brought or intervened in with leave must not be discontinued, compromised or settled without the leave of the Court.

169‑25 General powers of the Court

(1) The Court may make any orders, and give any directions, that it considers appropriate in relation to proceedings brought or intervened in with leave, or an application for leave, including:

(a) interim orders; and

(b) directions about the conduct of the proceedings, including requiring mediation; and

(d) an order appointing an independent person to investigate, and report to the Court on:

(i) the financial affairs of the corporation; or

(ii) the facts or circumstances which gave rise to the cause of action the subject of the proceedings; or

(iii) the costs incurred in the proceedings by the parties to the proceedings and the person granted leave.

Persons appointed under paragraph (1)(d) may inspect books

(2) A person appointed by the Court under paragraph (1)(d) is entitled, on giving reasonable notice to the corporation, to inspect any books of the corporation for any purpose connected with his or her appointment.

Remuneration and expenses for persons appointed under paragraph (1)(d)

(3) If the Court appoints a person under paragraph (1)(d):

(a) the Court must also make an order stating who is liable for the remuneration and expenses of the person appointed; and

(b) the Court may vary the order at any time; and

(i) all or any of the parties to the proceedings or application; and

(ii) the corporation; and

(d) if the order, or the order as varied, makes 2 or more persons liable, the order may also determine the nature and extent of the liability of each of those persons.

(4) Subsection (3) does not affect the powers of the Court as to costs.

169‑30 Power of the Court to make costs orders

(1) The Court may at any time make any orders it considers appropriate about the costs of the following persons in relation to proceedings brought or intervened in with leave under section 169‑5 or an application for leave under that section:

(a) the person who applied for or was granted leave;

(b) the corporation;

(2) An order under this section may require indemnification for costs.

Division 172—What protections apply to variations or cancellations of class rights?

172‑1 Varying and cancelling class rights

If constitution sets out procedure

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution sets out the procedure for varying or cancelling rights of members in a class of members, those rights may be varied or cancelled only in accordance with the procedure. The procedure may be changed only if the procedure itself is complied with.

If constitution does not set out procedure

(2) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution does not set out the procedure for varying or cancelling rights of members in a class of members, those rights may be varied or cancelled only by special resolution of the corporation and:

(a) by special resolution passed at a meeting of the class of members whose rights are being varied or cancelled; or

(b) with the written consent of members with at least 75% of the votes in the class.

Notice of variation

(3) The corporation must give written notice of the variation or cancellation to the members of the class within 7 days after the variation or cancellation is made.

(4) The corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (3).

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

172‑5 Certain actions taken to vary rights etc

(1) If the members in a class of members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation are divided into further classes of members and, after the division, the rights of all of those members are not the same:

(a) the division is taken to vary the rights of every member who was in the class existing before the division; and

(b) members who have the same rights after the division form a separate class.

(2) If the rights of some of the members in a class of members are varied:

(a) the variation is taken to vary the rights of every other member who was in the class existing before the variation; and

(b) members who have the same rights after the variation form a separate class.

172‑10 Variation, cancellation or modification without unanimous support of class

(1) If members in a class of members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation do not all agree (whether by resolution or written consent) to:

(a) a variation or cancellation of their rights; or

(b) a modification of the corporation’s constitution (if any) to allow their rights to be varied or cancelled;

members with at least 10% of the votes in the class may apply to the Court to have the variation, cancellation or modification set aside.

(2) An application may only be made within 28 days after the variation, cancellation or modification is made.

(3) The variation, cancellation or modification takes effect:

(a) if no application is made to the Court to have it set aside—28 days after the variation, cancellation or modification is made; or

(b) if an application is made to the Court to have it set aside—when the application is withdrawn or finally determined.

(4) The members of the class who want to have the variation, cancellation or modification set aside may appoint one or more of themselves to make the application on their behalf. The appointment must be in writing.

(5) The Court may set aside the variation, cancellation or modification if it is satisfied that it would unfairly prejudice the applicants. However, the Court must confirm the variation, cancellation or modification if the Court is not satisfied of unfair prejudice.

(6) Within 14 days after the Court makes an order, the corporation must lodge a copy of the order with the Registrar.

(7) The corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (6).

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(8) An offence against subsection (6) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

172‑15 Variation, cancellation or modification with unanimous support of class

If the members in a class of members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation all agree (whether by resolution or written consent) to the variation, cancellation or modification, it takes effect:

(a) if no later date is specified in the resolution or consent—on the date of the resolution or consent; or

(b) on a later date specified in the resolution or consent.

Division 175—When may a member inspect a corporation’s books?

175‑1 Order for inspection of books of corporation

(1) On application by a member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, the Court may make an order:

(a) authorising the applicant to inspect books of the corporation; or

(b) authorising another person (whether a member or not) to inspect books of the corporation on the applicant’s behalf.

The Court may only make the order if it is satisfied that the applicant is acting in good faith and that the inspection is to be made for a proper purpose.

(2) A person authorised to inspect books may make copies of the books unless the Court orders otherwise.

(3) A person who:

(a) is granted leave under section 169‑5; or

(b) applies for leave under that section; or

may apply to the Court for an order under this section.

(4) On application, the Court may make an order authorising:

(a) the applicant to inspect books of the corporation; or

(b) another person to inspect books of the corporation on the applicant’s behalf.

(5) The Court may make the order only if it is satisfied that:

(a) the applicant is acting in good faith; and

(b) the inspection is to be made for a purpose connected with:

(i) applying for leave under section 169‑5; or

(ii) bringing or intervening in proceedings with leave under that section.

(6) A person authorised to inspect books may make copies of the books unless the Court orders otherwise.

(7) If the person authorised by the Court under paragraph (1)(b) or paragraph (4)(b) is the Registrar, the Registrar may appoint another person to inspect the books of the corporation on the Registrar’s behalf.

175‑5 Ancillary orders

If the Court makes an order under section 175‑1, the Court may make any other orders it considers appropriate, including either or both of the following:

(a) an order limiting the use that a person who inspects books may make of information obtained during the inspection;

(b) an order limiting the right of a person who inspects books to make copies in accordance with subsection 175‑1(2).

175‑10 Disclosure of information acquired in inspection

(1) A person who inspects books on behalf of an applicant under section 175‑1 must not disclose information obtained during the inspection.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the disclosure is to:

(a) the Registrar; or

(b) the applicant.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

(4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

175‑15 Corporation or directors may allow member to inspect books (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

The directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, or the corporation by a resolution passed at a general meeting, may authorise a member to inspect books of the corporation.

Part 4‑5—Registers of members and former members

Division 180—Registers of members and former members

180‑1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to maintain register of members

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must set up and maintain a register of members.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

180‑5 Information on the register of members

(1) The register of members must contain the following information about each member who is an individual:

(a) the member’s given and family name;

(b) the member’s address;

The register may also contain any other name by which the member is or was known.

(1A) The register of members must contain the following information about each member who is a body corporate:

(a) the member’s name and address;

(b) the date on which the entry of the member’s name in the register was made.

(2) If:

(a) the corporation’s constitution allows for members who are not Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons; and

(b) a member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person;

the entry for the member in the register must also indicate that the member is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person.

180‑10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to maintain register of former members

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must set up and maintain a register of former members.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

180‑15 Information on the register of former members

(1) The register of former members must contain the following information about each individual who stopped being a member of the corporation within the last 7 years:

(a) the member’s given and family name;

(b) the member’s address;

The register may also contain any other name by which the individual is or was known.

(2) The register of former members must contain the following information about each body corporate that stopped being a member of the corporation within the last 7 years:

(a) the member’s name and address;

(b) the date on which the body stopped being a member.

180‑20 Location and inspection of registers

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must keep the register of members and the register of former members at:

(a) the corporation’s registered office if the corporation is registered as a large corporation; or

(b) the corporation’s document access address if the corporation is registered as a small or medium corporation.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) The register must be open for inspection by any person.

(3) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

180‑22 Register of members and register of former members may be maintained in one document

Nothing in this Act prevents an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation from maintaining its register of members, and its register of former members, in the one document.

180‑25 Right to inspect and get copies

Right to inspect

(1) Any person has a right to inspect an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s register of members and register of former members.

Note 1: A corporation commits an offence under section 376‑1 if it does not allow inspection of a register.

Note 2: Other provisions that are relevant to the inspection of a register are:

(a) section 180‑45 (evidentiary value); and

(b) section 376‑1 (place and times for inspection); and

(2) If the register is not kept on computer, the corporation must allow the person to inspect the register itself.

(3) If the register is kept on a computer, the corporation must (unless the person and the corporation agree that the person can access the information by computer) allow the person to inspect a hard copy of the information on the register.

Inspection fees

(4) A member of the corporation may inspect the register without charge. Other people may inspect the register only on payment of any fee (up to the prescribed amount) required by the corporation.

Right to get copies

(5) The corporation must give a person a copy of the register (or a part of the register) within 7 days if the person:

(a) asks for the copy; and

(b) pays any fee (up to the prescribed amount) required by the corporation.

The Registrar may allow a longer period to comply with the request.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(6) An offence against subsection (5) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

180‑30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to make register of members available at AGM

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must:

(a) make the register of members available for inspection (without charge) by members at the AGM; and

(b) ask each member attending the AGM to:

(i) check the entry for that member in the register; and

(ii) inform the corporation of any corrections that need to be made to that entry.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

180‑35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to give Registrar copy of register of members or register of former members

(1) The Registrar may, at any time, request the corporation to give him or her a copy of the register of members, or the register of former members, as at the date when the copy is given to the Registrar, and the corporation must comply with the request within 14 days or such longer period as the Registrar specifies.

Note: An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must give a general report to the Registrar in respect of each financial year. That report must include details of the names and addresses of the corporation’s members: see sections 330‑1 and 330‑5.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation commits an offence if it contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Note 2: A secretary of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be liable for a civil penalty for a contravention of this section. See sections 265‑40 and 386‑10.

180‑40 Correction of register of members or register of former members

(1) The corporation, or a person aggrieved, may apply to the Court to have the register of members or the register of former members corrected.

(2) If the Court orders the corporation to correct the register, it may also order the corporation to compensate a party to the application for loss or damage suffered.

180‑45 Evidentiary value of registers

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the register of members and the register of former members are proof of the matters shown in the registers under this Part.

Division 183—Use of information on the register of members or register of former members

183‑1 Use of information on register of members or register of former members

(1) A person must not:

(a) use information about a person obtained from a register of members, or register of former members, to contact or send material to the person; or

(b) disclose information of that kind knowing that the information is likely to be used to contact or send material to the person.

Note: An example of using information to send material to a person is putting a person’s name and address on a mailing list for advertising material.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the use or disclosure of the information is:

(a) relevant to the person’s membership, or former membership, of the corporation or the exercise of the person’s rights as a member, or former member, of the corporation; or

(b) approved by the corporation.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1).

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(5) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is liable to compensate anyone else who suffers loss or damage because of the contravention.

(6) A person who makes a profit from a contravention of subsection (1) owes a debt to the corporation. The amount of the debt is the amount of the profit.

(7) If a person owes a debt under subsection (6) to the corporation:

(a) the debt may be recovered by the corporation as a debt due to it; and

(b) any amount paid or recovered in respect of the debt forms part of the corporation’s property.

Part 4‑6—Exemption from operation of certain provisions of this Chapter

Division 187—Exemption from operation of certain provisions of this Chapter

187‑1 What this Part is about

The Registrar may exempt an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation from certain provisions of this Chapter. The Registrar may do so on application or on his or her own volition.

187‑5 Exemption from certain provisions of this Chapter

(1) On an application made in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, the Registrar may make a determination in writing exempting any of the following from the exemptible provisions of this Chapter specified in the Registrar’s determination:

(a) the corporation itself;

(b) the directors of the corporation.

Note: For the criteria for making determinations under this section, see section 187‑20.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the exemptible provisions of this Chapter are:

(a) subsection 144‑10(8); and

(aa) subsection 150‑15(2A); and

(ab) section 150‑22; and

(b) section 150‑25; and

(d) section 150‑35.

(3) The application must:

(a) specify the exemptible provisions in relation to which the exemption is being sought; and

(b) be authorised by a resolution of the directors; and

(d) be lodged with the Registrar.

(4) The determination may:

(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and

(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.

(5) The Registrar may, in writing, revoke, vary or suspend the determination.

(6) The Registrar must give the applicant written notice within 28 days of the making, revocation, variation or suspension of the determination.

(7) A determination under subsection (1), or a revocation, variation or suspension under subsection (5), is not a legislative instrument.

187‑10 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

Despite subsection 187‑5(3), the Registrar may make a determination even if the application does not specify the provisions in relation to which the exemption is being sought.

187‑15 Registrar’s power to make determinations

(1) The Registrar may determine in writing that:

(a) a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) the directors of a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (as the case may be);

are exempted from the exemptible provision of this Chapter specified in the Registrar’s determination.

Note: For the criteria for making determinations under this section, see section 187‑20.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the exemptible provisions of this Chapter are:

(a) subsection 144‑10(8); and

(aa) subsection 150‑15(2A); and

(ab) section 150‑22; and

(b) section 150‑25; and

(d) section 150‑35.

(3) The determination may:

(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and

(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.

(4) The Registrar may, in writing, revoke, vary or suspend the determination.

(5) Notice of the making, revocation, variation or suspension of a determination in relation to a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, or the directors of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, must be published in the Gazette.

(6) A determination under subsection (1) in relation to:

(a) a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) the directors of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

is a legislative instrument.

(7) A determination under subsection (1) in relation to:

(a) a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) the directors of a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

is not a legislative instrument.

187‑20 Criteria for determinations

(1) In making a determination under section 187‑5 or 187‑15, the Registrar must be satisfied that the requirements of the relevant exemptible provisions of this Chapter would:

(a) be inappropriate in the circumstances; or

(b) impose unreasonable burdens.

Unreasonable burden

(2) In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) if the relevant exemptible provisions impose an unreasonable burden on the corporation or corporations, the Registrar is to have regard to:

(a) the expected costs of complying with the obligations; and

(b) the expected benefits of having the corporation or corporations comply with the obligations; and

(c) any practical difficulties that the corporation or corporations face in complying effectively with the obligations; and

(d) any other matters that the Registrar considers relevant.

Chapter 5—Meetings

Part 5‑1—Introduction

Division 193—Introduction

193‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter deals with 2 kinds of meetings that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations may have—directors’ meetings and general meetings.

This Chapter sets out the rules for those meetings. Some of those rules may be modified or replaced by the corporation’s constitution. Others cannot be.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may be exempted in part from some of the requirements of this Chapter (see Part 5‑5).

Part 5‑2—General meetings

Division 198—Introduction

198‑1 What this Part is about

This Part sets out the rules for holding general meetings. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is required to hold annual general meetings.

Some of the rules in this Chapter may be modified or replaced by the corporation’s constitution. Others cannot be.

Division 201—What are the rules concerning general meetings?

Subdivision 201‑A—Who may call general meetings?

201‑1 Director may call meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

A director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may call a general meeting of the corporation.

201‑5 Request by members for directors to call general meetings

Which members may make a request?

(1) The directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of at least the required number of members under subsection (4).

(2) The request must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) state any resolution to be proposed at the meeting; and

(d) nominate a member (the nominated member) to be the contact member on behalf of the members making the request; and

(e) be given to the corporation.

(3) Separate copies of a document setting out the request may be used for signing by members if the wording of the request is identical in each copy.

(4) The required number of members for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is the greater of:

(a) 5 members of the corporation; or

(b) 10% of the members of the corporation.

(5) The regulations may prescribe a different number of members for the purposes of applying paragraph (4)(a) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Without limiting this, the regulations may specify the number as a percentage of the number of members of the corporation.

(6) The regulations may prescribe a different percentage for the purposes of applying paragraph (4)(b) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

201‑10 When must directors comply with members’ request?

(1) If the directors resolve:

(a) that the request under section 201‑5 is frivolous or unreasonable; or

(b) that complying with the request would be contrary to the interests of the members as a whole;

a director, on behalf of all of the directors, may apply to the Registrar for permission to deny the request.

(2) The application must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) set out the ground on which the application is made; and

(3) The directors must, as soon as is practicable after making the application, give the nominated member notice that an application has been made under subsection (1).

(4) The Registrar must:

(a) determine the application within 21 days after receiving it; and

(b) notify the director, the corporation and the nominated member in writing of the outcome of the determination.

201‑15 When must a requested meeting be held?

No application to Registrar under section 201‑10

(1) If a director has not applied to the Registrar under section 201‑10 in respect of the request, the directors must call the requested meeting within 21 days after the request is given to the corporation.

Application to Registrar under section 201‑10

(2) If:

(a) a director has applied under section 201‑10 in respect of the request; and

(b) the Registrar’s decision is that the ground is not made out;

the directors must call the meeting within 21 days after being notified of the Registrar’s determination.

Subdivision 201‑B—How to call general meetings

201‑20 Amount of notice of general meetings

General rule

(1) Subject to subsection (2), at least 21 days notice must be given of a general meeting. However, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may specify a longer minimum period of notice.

Calling meetings on shorter notice

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation:

(a) may call an AGM on shorter notice, if all the members of the corporation agree beforehand; and

(b) may call any other general meeting on shorter notice, if at least 95% of the members of the corporation agree beforehand.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation cannot call an AGM or other general meeting on shorter notice if it is a meeting of the kind referred to in subsection (3) or (4).

Shorter notice not allowed—removing or appointing director

(3) At least 21 days notice must be given of a general meeting at which a resolution will be moved to:

(a) remove a director under section 249‑10; or

(b) appoint a director in place of a director removed under that section.

Shorter notice not allowed—removing auditor

(4) At least 21 days notice must be given of a general meeting at which a resolution will be moved to remove an auditor.

201‑25 Notice of general meeting to members, officers and observers

Notice to members, officers and observers

(1) Written notice of a general meeting must be given by the corporation to the following persons:

(a) each member entitled to vote at the meeting;

(b) each director;

(d) the contact person (if any);

(e) any observer entitled to attend the meeting.

Note: A failure to give notice to a member might not invalidate the meeting (see section 576‑15).

Notice to joint members (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) Notice to joint members must be given to the joint member named first in the register of members.

How notice is given

(3) The corporation may give the notice of meeting to a member:

(a) personally; or

(b) by sending it by post to the address for the member in the register of members or the alternative address (if any) nominated by the member; or

(d) by sending it to the member by other electronic means (if any) nominated by the member; or

(e) by notifying the member in accordance with subsection (4); or

(f) by any other means that the corporation’s constitution (if any) permits.

Note: A defect in the notice given may not invalidate a meeting (see section 576‑15).

(4) If the member nominates:

(a) an electronic means (the nominated notification means) by which the member may be notified that notices of meeting are available; and

(b) an electronic means (the nominated access means) the member may use to access notices of meeting;

the corporation may give the member notice of the meeting by notifying the member (using the nominated notification means):

(d) how the member may use the nominated access means to access the notice of meeting.

This subsection does not limit subsection (3).

When notice by post or fax is given (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(5) A notice of meeting sent by post is taken to be given 3 days after it is posted. A notice of meeting sent by fax, or other electronic means, is taken to be given on the business day after it is sent.

When notice under paragraph (3)(e) is given (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(6) A notice of meeting given to a member under paragraph (3)(e) is taken to be given on the business day after the day on which the member is notified that the notice of meeting is available.

201‑30 Auditor entitled to notice and other communications

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must give its auditor (if any):

(a) notice of a general meeting in the same way that a member of the corporation is entitled to receive notice; and

(b) any other communications relating to the general meeting that a member of the corporation is entitled to receive.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

Note: An auditor may authorise a representative to attend a meeting (see subsection 201‑80(4).

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

201‑35 Contents of notice of general meeting

(1) A notice of a general meeting must:

(a) set out the place, date and time for the meeting (and, if the meeting is to be held in 2 or more places, the technology that will be used to facilitate this); and

(b) state the general nature of the meeting’s business; and

(c) if a special resolution is to be proposed at the meeting—set out an intention to propose the special resolution and state the resolution; and

(d) if a member is entitled to appoint a proxy—contain a statement setting out the following information:

(i) that the member has a right to appoint a proxy;

(ii) whether or not the proxy needs to be a member of the corporation;

(iii) that a member who is entitled to cast 2 or more votes may appoint 2 proxies and may specify the proportion or number of votes each proxy is appointed to exercise.

Note: There may be other requirements for disclosure to members.

(2) The information included in the notice of meeting must be worded and presented in a clear, concise and effective manner.

Subdivision 201‑C—Members’ rights to put resolutions etc. to general meeting

201‑40 Members’ resolutions

(1) Notice of a resolution that they propose to move at a general meeting may be given to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation by at least the required number of members under subsection (4).

(2) The notice must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) set out the wording of the proposed resolution; and

(3) Separate copies of a document setting out the notice may be used for signing by members if the wording of the notice is identical in each copy.

(4) The required number of members for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is the greater of:

(a) 5 members of the corporation; or

(b) 10% of the members of the corporation.

(5) The regulations may prescribe a different number of members for the purposes of applying paragraph (4)(a) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Without limiting this, the regulations may specify the number as a percentage of the number of members of the corporation.

(6) The regulations may prescribe a different percentage for the purposes of applying paragraph (4)(b) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

201‑45 Notice of members’ resolutions

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has been given notice of a resolution under section 201‑40, the resolution is to be considered at the next general meeting that occurs more than 28 days after the notice is given.

(2) The corporation must give all its members notice of the resolution at the same time, or as soon as practicable afterwards, and in the same way, as it gives notice of a general meeting.

(3) The corporation is responsible for the cost of giving members notice of the resolution.

(4) The corporation need not give notice of the resolution if it is defamatory.

201‑50 Members’ statements to be distributed

(1) Members may request an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to give to all its members a statement provided by the members making the request about:

(a) a resolution that is proposed to be moved at a general meeting; or

(b) any other matter that may be properly considered at a general meeting.

(2) The request must be made by at least the required number of members under subsection (8).

(3) The request must be:

(a) in writing; and

(b) signed by the members making the request; and

(4) Separate copies of a document setting out the request may be used for signing by members if the wording of the request is identical in each copy.

(5) After receiving the request, the corporation must distribute to all its members a copy of the statement at the same time, or as soon as practicable afterwards, and in the same way, as it gives notice of the general meeting.

(6) The corporation is responsible for the cost of making the distribution.

(7) The corporation need not comply with the request if the statement is defamatory.

(8) The required number of members for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is the greater of:

(a) 5 members of the corporation; or

(b) 10% of the members of the corporation.

(9) The regulations may prescribe a different number of members for the purposes of applying paragraph (8)(a) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Without limiting this, the regulations may specify the number as a percentage of the number of members of the corporation.

(10) The regulations may prescribe a different percentage for the purposes of applying paragraph (8)(b) to:

(a) a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) a particular class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Subdivision 201‑D—Holding general meetings

201‑55 Purpose

A general meeting must be held for a proper purpose.

201‑60 Time and place for general meeting

A general meeting must be held at a reasonable time and place.

201‑65 Technology

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may hold a general meeting at 2 or more venues using any technology that gives the members as a whole a reasonable opportunity to participate.

Note: See section 576‑15 for the consequences of a member not being given a reasonable opportunity to participate.

201‑70 Quorum

Quorum (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has 11 or more members, the quorum for a meeting of the corporation’s members is the lesser of:

(a) 10 members; or

(b) the greater of:

(i) the number of members holding 10% of the voting rights; or

(ii) 2 members.

Corporations with 10 members or less (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has 10 members or less, the quorum for a meeting of the corporation’s members is 2 members.

Quorum to be present

(3) The quorum must be present at all times during the meeting.

How to determine if quorum is present

(4) In determining whether a quorum is present, count individuals attending as proxies or body corporate representatives. However, if a member has appointed more than 1 proxy or representative, count only 1 of them. If an individual is attending both as a member and as a proxy or body corporate representative, count them only once.

Note 1: For rights to appoint proxies, see section 201‑90.

Note 2: For body corporate representatives, see section 201‑110.

Adjourned meeting (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(5) A meeting of the corporation’s members that does not have a quorum present within 1 hour after the time for the meeting set out in the notice of meeting is adjourned to the same time of the same day in the next week, and to the same place, unless the directors specify otherwise.

No quorum at resumed meeting (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(6) If no quorum is present at the resumed meeting within 1 hour after the time for the meeting, the meeting is dissolved.

201‑75 Chairing general meeting (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) The directors may elect an individual to chair general meetings.

(2) The directors at a general meeting must elect an individual present to chair the meeting (or part of it) if an individual has not already been elected by the directors to chair it or, having been elected, is not available to chair it, or declines to act, for the meeting (or part of the meeting).

(3) The members at a general meeting must elect a member present to chair the meeting (or part of it) if:

(a) a chair has not previously been elected by the directors to chair the meeting; or

(b) a previously elected chair is not available, or declines to act, for the meeting (or part of the meeting).

(4) The chair must adjourn a general meeting if the members present with a majority of votes at the meeting agree or direct that the chair must do so.

201‑80 Auditor’s right to be heard at general meetings

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has an auditor, the auditor is entitled to attend any general meeting of the corporation.

Note: See section 333‑20 for when a financial report is required to be audited.

(2) The auditor is entitled to be heard at the meeting on any part of the business of the meeting that concerns the auditor in the auditor’s capacity as auditor.

(3) The auditor is entitled to be heard even if:

(a) the auditor retires at the meeting; or

(b) the meeting passes a resolution to remove the auditor from office.

(4) The auditor may authorise a person in writing as the auditor’s representative for the purpose of attending and speaking at any general meeting.

Note: At an AGM, members may ask the auditor questions (see section 201‑170).

201‑85 Adjourned meetings

When resolution passed

(1) A resolution passed at a general meeting resumed after an adjournment is passed on the day it was passed.

Business at adjourned meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(2) Only unfinished business is to be transacted at a general meeting resumed after an adjournment.

Subdivision 201‑E—Proxies

201‑90 Who may appoint a proxy (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Who may appoint proxy

(1) A member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation who is entitled to attend and cast a vote at a general meeting may appoint a person as the member’s proxy to attend and vote for the member at the meeting.

Proxy may be individual or a body corporate

(2) The person appointed as the member’s proxy may be an individual or a body corporate.

Note: A body corporate may appoint a representative to exercise the powers that the body corporate may exercise as the member’s proxy (see section 201‑110).

(3) The appointment may specify the proportion or number of votes that the proxy may exercise.

201‑95 Rights of proxies

Rights of proxies

(1) A proxy appointed to attend and vote for a member has the same rights as the member:

(a) to speak at the meeting; and

(b) to vote (but only to the extent allowed by the appointment); and

Proxy’s right to vote

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that a proxy is not entitled to vote on a show of hands.

Note: Even if the proxy is not entitled to vote on a show of hands, they may make or join in the demand for a poll.

Effect of member’s presence on proxy’s authority

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide for the effect that a member’s presence at a meeting has on the authority of a proxy appointed to attend and vote for the member. However, if the constitution does not deal with this, a proxy’s authority to speak and vote for a member at a meeting is suspended while the member is present at the meeting.

Exercise of proxies

(4) A person must not exercise proxies for more than the number of members:

(a) prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this subsection; or

(b) worked out using the method prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this subsection.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(5) To avoid doubt, a contravention of subsection (4) does not affect the validity of the votes cast.

201‑100 Appointing a proxy

(1) An appointment of a proxy is valid if it is signed, or otherwise authenticated in a manner prescribed by the regulations, by the member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation making the appointment and contains the following information:

(a) the member’s name and address;

(b) the corporation’s name;

(d) the meetings at which the appointment may be used.

An appointment may be a standing one.

(2) The regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) may prescribe different requirements for the authentication of an appointment given to the corporation by different means (electronic or otherwise).

(3) The corporation’s constitution may provide that an appointment is valid even if it contains only some of the information required by subsection (1).

(4) An undated appointment is taken to have been dated on the day it is given to the corporation.

(5) An appointment may specify the way the proxy is to vote on a particular resolution. If it does:

(a) the proxy need not vote on a show of hands, but if the proxy does so, the proxy must vote that way; and

(b) if the proxy has 2 or more appointments that specify different ways to vote on the resolution—the proxy must not vote on a show of hands; and

(d) if the proxy is not the chair—the proxy need not vote on a poll, but if the proxy does so, the proxy must vote that way.

If a proxy is also a member, this subsection does not affect the way that the person can cast any votes they hold as a member.

Note: An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that a proxy is not entitled to vote on a show of hands (see subsection 201‑95(2)).

(6) A person who contravenes subsection (5) commits an offence, but only if the person’s appointment as a proxy resulted from the corporation sending to members:

(a) a list of persons willing to act as proxies; or

(b) a proxy appointment form holding the person out as being willing to act as a proxy.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(7) An offence against subsection (6) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(8) An appointment does not have to be witnessed.

(9) A later appointment revokes an earlier one if both appointments could not be validly exercised at the meeting.

201‑105 Proxy documents

Documents to be received by corporation before meeting

(1) For an appointment of a proxy for a meeting of members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to be effective, the following documents must be received by the corporation at least 48 hours before the meeting:

(a) the proxy’s appointment;

(b) if the appointment is signed, or otherwise authenticated in a manner prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of subsection 201‑100(1), by the appointor’s attorney—the authority under which the appointment was signed or authenticated or a certified copy of the authority.

Documents received following adjournment of meeting

(2) If a meeting of the corporation’s members has been adjourned, an appointment and any authority received by the corporation at least 48 hours before the resumption of the meeting are effective for the resumed part of the meeting.

Constitution or notice of meeting may provide for different notification period

(3) The corporation’s constitution or the notice of meeting may reduce the period of 48 hours referred to in subsection (1) or (2).

201‑110 Body corporate representative

(1) A body corporate may appoint an individual as a representative to exercise all or any of the powers the body corporate may exercise:

(a) at meetings of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s members; or

(b) at meetings of creditors; or

(d) in the capacity of a member’s proxy appointed under section 201‑90.

The appointment may be a standing one.

(2) The appointment may set out restrictions on the representative’s powers. If the appointment is to be by reference to a position held, the appointment must identify the position.

(3) A body corporate may appoint more than 1 representative but only 1 representative may exercise the body’s powers at any one time.

(4) Unless otherwise specified in the appointment, the representative may exercise, on the body corporate’s behalf, all of the powers that the body could exercise at a meeting or in voting on a resolution.

Note: For resolutions of members without meetings, see Division 204.

Subdivision 201‑F—Voting at general meetings

201‑115 How many votes a member has (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) At a general meeting, each member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has 1 vote, both on a show of hands and a poll.

Chair’s casting vote

(2) The chair has a casting vote, and also, if he or she is a member, any vote he or she has as a member.

Note 1: The chair may be precluded from voting, for example, by a conflict of interest.

Note 2: For rights to appoint proxies, see section 201‑90.

201‑120 Objections to right to vote (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

A challenge to a right to vote at a general meeting:

(a) may only be made at the meeting; and

(b) must be determined by the chair, whose decision is final.

201‑125 How voting is carried out (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) A resolution put to the vote at a general meeting must be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded.

(2) Before a vote is taken the chair must inform the meeting whether any proxy votes have been received and how the proxy votes are to be cast.

(3) On a show of hands, a declaration by the chair is conclusive evidence of the result, provided that the declaration reflects the show of hands and the votes of the proxies received. Neither the chair nor the minutes need to state the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour or against.

Note: Even though the chair’s declaration is conclusive of the voting results, the members present may demand a poll (see section 201‑130).

201‑130 Matters on which a poll may be demanded

(1) Subject to subsection (2), at a general meeting, a poll may be demanded on any resolution.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that a poll cannot be demanded on any resolution concerning:

(a) the election of the chair of a meeting; or

(b) the adjournment of a meeting.

(3) A demand for a poll may be withdrawn.

201‑135 When a poll is effectively demanded

(1) At a general meeting, a poll may be demanded by:

(a) at least 5 members entitled to vote on the resolution; or

(b) members with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast on the resolution on a poll; or

Note: A proxy may join in the demand for a poll (see paragraph 201‑95(1)(c)).

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution may provide that fewer members or members with a lesser percentage of votes may demand a poll.

(3) The poll may be demanded:

(a) before a vote is taken; or

(b) before the voting results on a show of hands are declared; or

201‑140 When and how polls must be taken (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) At a general meeting, a poll demanded on a matter other than the election of a chair or the question of an adjournment must be taken when and in the manner the chair directs.

(2) At a general meeting, a poll on the election of a chair or on the question of an adjournment must be taken immediately.

Subdivision 201‑G—First general meeting and annual general meetings

201‑145 Corporation must hold first general meeting within 3 months of registration

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must hold a general meeting of members within 3 months after the corporation is registered.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

201‑150 Corporation must hold AGM

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must hold an AGM within 5 months after the end of its financial year.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(3) An AGM is to be held in addition to any other meetings held by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in the year.

(4) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has only 1 member is not required to hold an AGM under this section.

201‑155 Extension of time for holding AGM

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may lodge an application with the Registrar to extend the period within which section 201‑150 requires the corporation to hold an AGM.

(2) If the corporation applies before the end of the period within which the corporation would otherwise be required to hold an AGM, the Registrar may, by written notice to the corporation, extend the period. The Registrar must specify the period of the extension.

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation granted an extension under subsection (2) must hold its AGM within the extended period.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) The Registrar may impose conditions on the extension and the corporation must comply with those conditions.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(5) An offence against subsection (3) or (4) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

201‑160 Business of AGM

The business of an AGM may include any of the following, even if not referred to in the notice of meeting:

(a) the consideration of the reports that under Chapter 7 are required to be laid before the AGM;

(b) the election of directors;

201‑165 Questions and comments by members on corporation management at AGM

(1) The chair of an AGM must allow a reasonable opportunity for the members as a whole at the meeting to ask questions about or make comments on the management of the corporation.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

201‑170 Questions by members of auditors at AGM

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s auditor (if any) or the auditor’s representative is at an AGM, the chair of the meeting must allow a reasonable opportunity for the members as a whole at the meeting to ask the auditor or the auditor’s representative questions relevant to:

(a) the conduct of the audit; and

(b) the preparation and content of the auditor’s report; and

(d) the independence of the auditor in relation to the conduct of the audit.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Division 204—Resolutions without a general meeting

204‑1 Circulating resolutions

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may pass a resolution without a general meeting being held if all the members entitled to vote on the resolution sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of the resolution set out in the document. Each member of a joint membership must sign.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a resolution to remove an auditor.

(3) Separate copies of a document may be used for signing by members if the wording of the resolution and statement is identical in each copy.

(4) The resolution is passed when the last member signs.

(5) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that passes a resolution under this section without holding a meeting satisfies any requirement in this Act:

(a) to give members information or a document relating to the resolution—by giving members that information or document with the document to be signed; and

(b) to lodge with the Registrar a copy of a notice of meeting to consider the resolution—by lodging a copy of the document to be signed by members; and

(c) to lodge a copy of a document that accompanies a notice of meeting to consider the resolution—by lodging a copy of the information or documents referred to in paragraph (a).

(6) The passage of the resolution satisfies any requirement in this Act, or the corporation’s constitution, that the resolution be passed at a general meeting.

(7) This section does not affect any rule of law relating to the assent of members not given at a general meeting.

Note 1: Passage of a resolution under this section must be recorded in the corporation’s minute books (see section 220‑5).

Note 2: A body corporate representative may sign a circulating resolution (see section 201‑110).

204‑5 Resolutions of 1 member corporations

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has only 1 member may pass a resolution by the member recording it and signing the record.

(2) If this Act requires information or a document relating to the resolution to be lodged with the Registrar, that requirement is satisfied by lodging the information or document with the resolution that is passed.

Note 1: Passage of a resolution under this section must be recorded in the corporation’s minute books (see section 220‑5).

Note 2: A body corporate representative may sign such a resolution (see section 201‑110).

Part 5‑3—Directors’ meetings

Division 209—Introduction

209‑1 What this Part is about

This Part sets out the rules for directors’ meetings. Some of those rules may be modified or replaced by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution. Others cannot be.

Division 212—What are the rules concerning directors’ meetings?

212‑1 Constitution to provide for meetings

The constitution of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must specify how often directors’ meetings are to be held.

212‑5 Calling directors’ meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

A directors’ meeting may be called by a director giving reasonable notice individually to every other director.

Note: A director who has appointed an alternate director may ask for the notice to be given to the alternate director (see subsection 246‑30(2)).

212‑10 Use of technology

A directors’ meeting may be called or held using any technology consented to by all the directors. The consent may be a standing one. A director may only withdraw his or her consent within a reasonable period before the meeting.

212‑15 Chairing directors’ meetings (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) The directors may elect a director to chair their meetings. The directors may determine the period for which the director is to be the chair.

(2) The directors must elect a director present to chair a meeting, or part of it, if:

(a) a director has not already been elected to chair the meeting; or

(b) a previously elected chair is not available, or declines to act, for the meeting or the part of the meeting.

212‑20 Quorum at directors’ meetings

The quorum for a directors’ meeting is a majority of the directors and the quorum must be present at all times during the meeting.

Note: For resolutions of 1 director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations without meetings, see section 215‑5.

212‑25 Passing of directors’ resolutions (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) A resolution of the directors must be passed by a majority of the votes cast by directors entitled to vote on the resolution.

(2) The chair has a casting vote if necessary in addition to any vote he or she has as a director.

Division 215—Resolutions and declarations without meetings

215‑1 Circulating resolutions of corporation with more than 1 director (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Resolutions

(1) If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation has more than 1 director, the directors of the corporation may pass a resolution without a directors’ meeting being held if all the directors entitled to vote on the resolution sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of the resolution set out in the document.

Copies

(2) Separate copies of a document may be used for signing by directors if the wording of the resolution and statement is identical in each copy.

When the resolution is passed

(3) The resolution is passed when the last director signs.

Note: Passage of a resolution under this section must be recorded in the corporation’s minute books (see section 220‑5).

215‑5 Resolutions and declarations of 1 director corporation

Resolutions

(1) The director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has only 1 director may pass a resolution by recording it and signing the record.

Declarations

(2) The director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has only 1 director may make a declaration by recording it and signing the record. Recording and signing the declaration satisfies any requirement in this Act that the declaration be made at a directors’ meeting.

Note: Passage of a resolution or the making of a declaration under this section must be recorded in the corporation’s minute books (see section 220‑5).

Part 5‑4—Minutes of meetings

Division 220—Minutes of meetings

220‑1 What this Part is about

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation is required to keep minutes of its general meetings and its directors’ meetings and the passing of any resolutions without a meeting.

Minutes may be kept in writing or by means of an audio or video recording.

None of the rules in this Part may be modified or replaced by the corporation’s constitution.

220‑5 Minutes

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must keep minute books in which it records within 1 month:

(a) proceedings and resolutions of general meetings; and

(b) proceedings and resolutions of directors’ meetings (including meetings of a committee of directors); and

(d) resolutions passed by directors without a meeting; and

(e) if the corporation has only 1 director—the making of declarations by the director.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

Note: For resolutions and declarations without meetings, see Divisions 204 and 215.

(2) The minutes of the whole, or a part, of the meeting may be kept:

(a) in writing; or

(b) by means of an audio, or audio‑visual, recording.

(3) If the minutes of the whole, or a part, of the meeting are kept by means of an audio, or audio‑visual, recording of the meeting, the corporation must ensure that, on the recording:

(a) each person attending the meeting states his or her name; and

(b) if a person attending the meeting holds a proxy—the person states the name of the person for whom the person is acting as proxy.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) If the minutes of the whole, or a part, of the meeting (the first meeting) are kept in writing, the corporation must ensure that either:

(a) the chair of the meeting; or

(b) the chair of the next meeting;

signs those minutes within a reasonable time after the first meeting.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(5) If the minutes of the whole, or a part, of the meeting (the first meeting) are kept by means of an audio, or audio‑visual, recording, the corporation must ensure that either:

(a) the chair of the meeting; or

(b) the chair of the next meeting;

signs a declaration under subsection (6) within a reasonable time after the first meeting.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(6) The declaration under this subsection must:

(a) identify the audio, or audio‑visual, recording; and

(b) if the recording is not a recording of the whole of the meeting—identify the part of the meeting that is recorded; and

(7) The corporation must ensure that minutes of the passing of a resolution without a meeting are signed by a director within a reasonable time after the resolution is passed.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(8) The director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation with only 1 director must sign the minutes of the making of a declaration by the director within a reasonable time after the declaration is made.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(9) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must keep its minute books at:

(a) its registered office if it is registered as a large corporation; or

(b) its document access address if it is registered as a small or medium corporation.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(10) An offence against subsection (1), (3), (4), (5), (7), (8) or (9) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(11) A minute that is recorded and signed in accordance with this section is evidence of the proceeding, resolution or declaration to which it relates, unless the contrary is proved.

220‑10 Members’ access to minutes

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a large corporation must make available for inspection by members, at its registered office, the minute books for the meetings of its members and for resolutions of members passed without meetings. The books must be made available for inspection each business day from at least 10 am to 12 noon and from at least 2 pm to 4 pm.

Note: Failing to comply with this subsection is an offence under section 376‑1.

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that is registered as a small or medium corporation must make available for inspection by members, at its document access address, the minute books for the meetings of its members and for resolutions of members passed without meetings. The books must be made available within 7 days of a member’s written request for inspection.

Note: Failing to comply with this subsection is an offence under section 376‑1.

(3) A corporation must make minutes available under subsections (1) and (2) free of charge.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(4) A member of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may ask the corporation in writing for a copy of:

(a) any minutes of a meeting of the corporation’s members or an extract of the minutes; or

(b) any minutes of a resolution passed by members without a meeting.

Note: The member may ask the corporation for an English translation under subsection 376‑5(3) if the minutes are not in the English language.

(5) If the corporation does not require the member to pay for the copy, the corporation must send it:

(a) within 14 days after the member asks for it; or

(b) within any longer period that the Registrar approves.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(6) If the corporation requires payment for the copy, the corporation must send it:

(a) within 14 days after the corporation receives the payment; or

(b) within any longer period that the Registrar approves.

The amount of any payment the corporation requires cannot exceed the prescribed amount.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(7) An offence against subsection (3), (5) or (6) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Part 5‑5—Exemption from operation of this Chapter

Division 225—Exemption from operation of this Chapter

225‑1 What this Part is about

The Registrar may exempt an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation from some or all of the provisions of this Chapter. The Registrar may do so on application or on his or her own volition.

225‑5 Exemption from the provisions of this Chapter

(1) On an application made in accordance with subsection (2) in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, the Registrar may make a determination in writing exempting any of the following from the provisions of this Chapter specified in the Registrar’s determination:

(a) the corporation itself;

(b) the directors of the corporation.

Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 225‑20.

(2) The application must:

(a) specify the provisions in relation to which the exemption is being sought; and

(b) be authorised by a resolution of the directors; and

(d) be lodged with the Registrar.

(3) The determination may:

(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and

(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.

(4) The Registrar may, in writing, revoke, vary or suspend the determination.

(5) The Registrar must give the applicant written notice within 28 days of the making, revocation, variation or suspension of the determination.

(6) A determination under subsection (1), or a revocation, variation or suspension under subsection (4), is not a legislative instrument.

225‑10 Registrar may make determination even if application is incomplete

Despite subsection 225‑5(2), the Registrar may make a determination even if the application does not specify the provisions in relation to which the exemption is being sought.

225‑15 Registrar’s power to make determinations

(1) The Registrar may determine in writing that:

(a) a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; and

(b) the directors of a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (as the case may be);

are exempted from the provisions of this Chapter specified in the Registrar’s determination.

Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 225‑20.

(2) The determination may:

(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and

(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.

(3) The Registrar may, in writing, revoke, vary or suspend the determination.

(4) Notice of the making, revocation, variation or suspension of a determination in relation to a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, or the directors of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, must be published in the Gazette.

(5) A determination under subsection (1) in relation to:

(a) a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) the directors of a specified class of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

is a legislative instrument.

(6) A determination under subsection (1) in relation to:

(a) a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation; or

(b) the directors of a specified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;

is not a legislative instrument.

225‑20 Criteria for determinations

(1) In making a determination under section 225‑5 or 225‑15, the Registrar must be satisfied that the requirements of provisions of this Chapter would:

(a) be inappropriate in the circumstances; or

(b) impose unreasonable burdens.

Unreasonable burden

(2) In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) if the provisions impose an unreasonable burden on the corporation or corporations, the Registrar is to have regard to:

(a) the expected costs of complying with the obligations; and

(b) the expected benefits of having the corporation or corporations comply with the obligations; and

(c) any practical difficulties that the corporation or corporations face in complying effectively with the obligations; and

(d) any other matters that the Registrar considers relevant.

Chapter 6—Officers

Part 6‑1—Introduction

Division 235—Introduction

235‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter deals with the officers of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Part 6‑2 deals with the appointment and remuneration and the cessation of appointment of directors.

Part 6‑3 deals with the appointment of secretaries and contact persons.

Part 6‑4 deals with the duties and powers of directors and other officers and employees.

Part 6‑5 deals with the disqualification of persons from managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

Part 6‑6 deals with related party transactions.

Part 6‑7 deals with public information about officers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

Part 6‑2—Appointment, remuneration and cessation of appointment of directors

Division 240—Introduction

240‑1 What this Part is about

This Part deals with the directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Division 243 deals with the minimum and maximum number of directors that a corporation may have.

Divisions 246 and 249 deal with the appointment, resignation and removal of directors.

Division 252 deals with the remuneration of directors.

Division 243—Number of directors

243‑1 Minimum number of directors

Corporations with 1 member

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has 1 member must have at least 1 director.

Corporations with 2 members

(2) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has 2 members must have at least 2 directors.

Corporations with more than 2 members

(3) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation that has more than 2 members must have at least 3 directors.

243‑5 Maximum number of directors

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must not have more than:

(a) 12 directors; or

(b) if the regulations prescribe a different number of directors for the purpose of this paragraph—that number of directors.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the corporation from the requirements of this section (see section 310‑5).

Division 246—Appointment of directors

246‑1 Eligibility for appointment as a director

(1) Only an individual who is at least 18 years of age may be appointed as a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

(2) An individual who is disqualified from managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations under Part 6‑5 may only be appointed as a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if the appointment is made:

(a) with permission granted by the Registrar under section 279‑30; or

(b) with leave granted by the Court under section 279‑35.

(3) Unless an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation’s constitution provides otherwise, the following may not be appointed as a director of the corporation:

(a) an individual who is not a member of the corporation;

(b) an individual who is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person.

246‑5 Majority of director requirements

(1) A majority of the directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must be individuals who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.

(2) A majority of the directors of the corporation must ordinarily reside in Australia.

(3) A majority of the directors of the corporation must be members of the corporation.

(4) A majority of the directors of the corporation must not be employees of the corporation.

(5) If a person is performing a chief executive officer function in relation to the corporation, the person may be a director of the corporation but cannot chair the directors’ meetings. The person counts as an employee for the purposes of determining under subsection (4) whether a majority of directors are employees.

Note: For the meaning of chief executive officer function, see section 694‑85.

246‑10 Consent to act as director

(1) An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation contravenes this subsection if a person does not give the corporation a signed consent to act as a director of the corporation before being appointed.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) The corporation must keep the consent.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(3) An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

246‑15 Corporation may appoint a director (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may appoint a person as a director by resolution passed in general meeting.

246‑20 Directors may appoint other directors to make up a quorum (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

Appointment by other directors

(1) Subject to section 243‑5 (maximum number of directors), the directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation may appoint a person as a director.

(2) A person can be appointed under subsection (1) in order to make up a quorum for a directors’ meeting even if the total number of directors of the corporation is not enough to make up that quorum.

Confirmation by next AGM

(3) If a person is appointed under subsection (1), the corporation must confirm the appointment by resolution at the corporation’s next AGM. If the appointment is not confirmed, the person ceases to be a director of the corporation at the end of the AGM.

246‑25 Term of appointment

Directors appointed on registration (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) If a director has been identified in the application for registration of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation as a director who is to be appointed for only one year, the director’s appointment ends at the first AGM that occurs more than one year after the date of the corporation’s registration.

Other directors

(2) Subject to subsection (4), a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation must not be appointed for a period exceeding 2 years.

Note: An application may be made to exempt the directors of the corporation from the requirements of this subsection (see section 310‑5).

Director may be reappointed (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(3) A director is eligible for reappointment.

Appointments continue to next general meeting

(4) If the terms of appointment of all of the directors of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation expire so that there are no directors appointed at a particular time, the terms are extended until the next general meeting occurring after the expiry of the term of the director whose appointment was last to expire.

246‑30 Alternate directors (replaceable rule—see section 60‑1)

(1) With the other directors’ approval, a director may appoint an alternate to exercise some or all of the director’s powers for a specified period.

(2) If the appointing director requests the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to give the alternate notice of directors’ meetings, the corporation must do so.

(3) When an alternate exercises the director’s powers, the exercise of the powers is just as effective as if the powers were exercised by the director.

(4) The appointing director may terminate the alternate’s appointment at any time.

(5) An appointment or its termination must be in writing. A copy must be given to the corporation.

Note: The Registrar must be given notice of the appointment and termination of appointment of an alternate (see subsections 304‑5(3) and (6)).

246‑35 Effectiveness of acts by directors

(1) An act done by a director is effective even if his or her appointment, or the continuance of the appointment, is invalid because the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation or director did not comply with the corporation’s constitution or any provision of this Act.

(2) Subsection (1) does not deal with the question whether an effective act by a director:

(a) binds the corporation in its dealings with other people; or

(b) makes the corporation liable to another person.

Note: The kinds of acts that this section validates are those that are only legally effective if the person doing them is a director (for example, calling a meeting of the corporation’s members or signing a document to be lodged with the Registrar or minutes of a meeting). Division 104 contains rules about the assumptions people are entitled to make when dealing with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation and its officers.

Division 249—Resignation, retirement or removal of directors

249‑1 How does a person cease to be a director?

A person ceases to be a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation if:

(a) the person dies; or

(b) the person resigns as a director of the corporation as provided for in section 249‑5; or