31/07 2008
The Establishment of a Native Title Service in SA
The separation of native title services has been discussed between the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc (ALRM), Congress and the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination and the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission for a number of years. In November 2006, a joint meeting was held where Congress and ALRM agreed that separation of native title services from ALRM into a separate legal entity would best serve the interests of all stakeholders. In February 2007, ALRM advised the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) that it would relinquish its NTRB status, requesting a one year recognition period to 30 June 2008 as the NTRB for South Australia. It was agreed that native title services were to be provided by a new corporate body which could be funded under Section 203FE of the Native Title Act 1993. FaHCSIA agreed to fund the establishment of this new body South Australian Native Title Services Limited (SANTS).
Acumen Alliance was appointed by FaHCSIA to register a new organisation which will be eligible for funding as a Native Title Service Provider (NTSP) for South Australia. Specifically under the Terms of Reference set down by FaHCSIA, Acumen Alliance was to establish a body to be funded under Subsection 203FE(1) of the Native Title Act (a Native Title Service Provider or NTSP) to perform the function of an NTSP in the Region. The separation was completed on 1 July 2008, when the new entity SANTS commenced operations. South Australia Native Title Services Limited is the new name for the organisation.
For further information, please contact Keith Thomas General Manager, on (08) 8110 2800.
