Exposure Draft of the CATSI Act Amendment Bill

Media release - Minister Wyatt

The Australian Government has released the exposure draft of a bill to amend the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006, known as the CATSI Act.

The CATSI Act is a special measure under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 that establishes the role of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations and provides for a special form of incorporation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the draft bill responds to recommendations of the comprehensive 2020 review and will benefit more than 3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations around the country.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations play a critical role in delivering services and supporting economic development in Indigenous communities, particularly in regional and remote Australia," Minister Wyatt said.

"The Government has carefully considered the 72 recommendations made in the final report of the review and is moving to streamline the CATSI Act and ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

"We have been deliberate to engage all interested parties throughout the review process and this commitment to co-design and consultation continues with the opportunity to comment on the exposure draft of this legislation.

"I invite everyone who has an interest in the CATSI Act to provide their feedback so together we can ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations have the right regulatory framework and support."

The exposure draft is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) website. As well as commenting on aspects of the draft legislation that are supported and those parts where there are concerns in relation to the practical implementation, the NIAA is also interested in feedback on the clarity, readability and complexity of the legislation.

Feedback can be provided until 9.00am on Monday, 2 August 2021 by written submission and there will also be a number of online consultation sessions to explain the proposed amendments and for people to provide their comments. Session and registrations details are also available on the NIAA website.