Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians and Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has flagged the need for a forensic review of funding into Aboriginal organisations.
The Senator's concerns come following a review and subsequent report by the Australian National Audit Office into the Northern Territory Local Aboriginal Land Council's governance capabilities.
The audit was undertaken as part of a series across all Northern Territory Land Councils (NLC's) which is not an uncommon practice when organisations are recipients of government funding.
"these reports have given the Government all that it needs to kick start a formal review," Senator Price said.
In the report, the ANAO state the audit was conducted to provide independent assurance to Parliament that the Land Councils' governance arrangements are effective in meeting legislative obligations under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (ALRA), the Native Title Act 1993 (NTA) and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).
Although the Northern Territory Local Aboriginal Land Councils received 'largely effective' rankings under the requirements of the ALRA, NTA and PGPA Act, there were eleven recommendations made to improve governance practices.
Of the eleven recommendations to the NLC, two were aimed at documenting governance arrangements relating to the accountable authority, six were aimed at improving governance arrangements under the ALRA, and three aimed at improving governance arrangements under the PGPA Act.
NLC contributed comments to the report that stated "The NLC welcomes the assessment that the NLC's governance arrangements are largely effective."
"The NLC acknowledges the ANAO's recommendations and has progressed 72% (eight) of recommendations and 53% (seven) of opportunities for improvement," the NLC said.
"The NLC is in the process of developing plans to address the remaining 38% (three) of recommendations and 47% (six) of opportunities for improvement."
Senator Price remained concerned with the poor record keeping and the timeliness of the report.
"I am calling on Minister Burney to take real action for our most marginalised Australians who depend on these organisations each and every day," she said.
"If you receive public money, the public expects value for it in return. That goes for communities like Ngukurr in Arnhem Land, who depend on their Land Council to deliver services, to maintain their property and to accurately represent their interests."
Senator Price said her office receives complaints in relation to Aboriginal organisations, prompting her call for the inquiry.
"Our offices receive complaints from people who are too afraid to raise them elsewhere at fear of being silenced and further marginalised," Senator Price said.
"It is why we believe a forensic audit across the board of funding to Aboriginal organisations is essential.
"This Senate Inquiry has been a long time coming. I will soon be launching a petition and will be working to get cross bench support to make it happen if the Government will refuse to act."
Northern Land Council (NLC) appear satisfied with the report, having stated they are "thankful for the opportunity to participate in this Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) Performance Audit."
