DIMIA Annual Report 2002-03
PORTFOLIO AGENCIES
ATSIC's role for some years has been to develop policies and manage programs to overcome disadvantage and to improve the economic status and social well-being of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders living outside the Torres Strait region.
From 1 July 2003, all individual funding decisions concerning programs delivered by ATSIC will be made by a new executive agency, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Services (ATSIS).
AHL provides temporary accommodation services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in areas of greatest need.
AIATSIS promotes, publishes and conducts research into fields relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and maintains a cultural resource collection.
IBA assists and enhances Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' economic advancement primarily through facilitating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equity involvement in sound commercial ventures and providing a framework to promote greater involvement by Indigenous Australians in small business.
ILC aims to provide economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by assisting in the acquisition and management of an Indigenous land base.
The MRT is an independent merits review tribunal established to provide fair, just, economical, informal and quick merits review of certain migration, temporary residence and visitor visa decisions of the department.
The MRT also has statutory authority to review certain business nomination and sponsorship decisions.
OEA conducts evaluations of all major ATSIC programs on a rolling basis as well as programmed internal audit services.
The RRT is an independent merits review tribunal established to provide fair, just, economical, informal and quick merits review of decisions of the department to refuse or cancel protection visas to non-citizens in Australia.
The RAC is an independent statutory office holder appointed by the Minister.
The registrar administers the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976, which provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, groups and organisations with a means of incorporation including the flexibility to take account of Indigenous customs and traditions.
The TSRA formulates, implements and monitors the effectiveness of programs for Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal persons living in the Torres Strait area and provides advice to the Minister regarding Torres Strait Islander regional issues.