DIMIA Annual Report 2001-02
LAND AND RESOURCES
Objective
To provide policy advice to government, and policy coordination with external agencies.
Description
The Land and Resources Section of OATSIA provides advice to government on Indigenous policy issues relating to land rights and land management, resource and economic development, heritage protection, arts and culture.
The section monitors and advises on current and emerging issues and Commonwealth and State arrangements for developing and implementing policies in these areas.
Key results
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maintained a monitoring role in relation to the development of a strategy to facilitate the repatriation of Indigenous human remains from Britain to Australia
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advised on the development of an Options Paper on reforms of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and supported the Minister in consultations regarding those reforms
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advised the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Bill
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supported the OATSIA Executive Coordinator in his role as the Commonwealth's principal negotiator in renegotiating the mining agreement for the Ranger uranium mine
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liaised with key stakeholders regarding the proposed Indigenous business review
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advised the Minister on the increased utilisation of Indigenous land assets.
AGENCY GOVERNANCE AND LEGISLATION
Objective
To provide advice to government on legislative matters.
Description
The Agency Governance and Legislation Section of OATSIA advises the Minister on legislative matters within the Indigenous Affairs part of the portfolio including the preparation of legislation bids and liaison with Indigenous Affairs agencies on proposed legislation, as well as matters related to the corporate governance of those agencies.
Key results
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the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Bill 2002 was introduced into the Parliament in the 2002 autumn sittings, and passed on 24 June 2002.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amendment Act 2002 incorporates inter alia amendments which will streamline electoral processes for the ATSIC elections which are scheduled for the second half of 2002 -
the Torres Strait Regional Authority Bill and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (Consequential Provisions) Bill were withdrawn from the legislation program following a request from the Chairperson of the Torres Strait Regional Authority that the Bills be put on hold.
This followed community consultations and a public forum on 25 May 2002 on options for increased autonomy and improved corporate governance for Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait -
provided the Minister with advice in relation to governance issues affecting the agencies in the Indigenous affairs part of the portfolio including providing advice on more effective arrangements for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission at the national and regional level
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continued to be a member of the steering committee overseeing the review of the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 and participated in the workshop with key stakeholders in Alice Springs in April 2002
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assisted the Minister with senior appointment processes within the Indigenous Affairs part of the portfolio.