Alleged internal strife in Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation has seen the representative organisation cut off from funding from the $1.3 billion Noongar native title settlement.
The settlement, which was struck in 2021 between the WA government and South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council after years of research and extensive consultation, led to the establishment of several Aboriginal corporations serving communities across the south west – Noongar Country, and the Noongar Boodja Trust.
The Australian reports that Perpetual recently discovered the Whadjuk board had only three directors and therefore no quorum, and subsequently issued the remaining board members with a default notice and suspended it from receiving money from the Noongar Boodja Trust.
This week it emerged that Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, which provides important services including heritage consultation on a range of projects, was working on, or about to begin work on, 16 projects when several staff were made redundant and a private firm, SWALS, was contracted to conduct heritage work.
The exodus of staff has sparked an investigation by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) over allegations of bullying.
In a letter dated 10 April, seen by National Indigenous Times, Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors chairperson Reg Yarran advised a number of local governments SWALS was recruited by "an internal appointment process".
"To avoid formal intervention or project disruption, all consultants currently engaged in heritage or land-use work on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Perth land) must immediately cease further activity unless authorised through SWALS," the letter reads.
"Consultants are formally put on notice… Any unauthorised heritage assessments, surveys or related activity undertaken without express approval from WAC via SWALS may be subject to legal challenge, non-recognition, or referral to relevant authorities."
In a recent public statement Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, which worked on 90 heritage jobs in 2024, declared it was "Governed, Accountable, Moving Forward".
In a message addressed to "proponents and developers", the Corporation said "WAC remains operational, and through our Aboriginal-owned provider, we are delivering coordinated and efficient heritage services across the Perth region".
"This is not collapse. It's renewal. We welcome scrutiny and we stand by our process. Whadjuk is not falling apart. Whadjuk is rising," the statement said.
The Corporation said it is undergoing "a lawful and necessary restructure".
"This change has been deliberate. It reflects our commitment to strong governance, cultural authority, and professional delivery," it said.
"We've made hard decisions to reset internal systems and restore accountability. We acknowledge the board members who stayed the course, upheld their duties, and helped guide this transition. Whadjuk remains fully governed. We are compliant with ORIC requirements and operating with quorum. We are now focused on stabilising leadership, including recruiting a CEO, and strengthening our service delivery."
The Corporation told the WA government is looks forward to "working with you to protect and celebrate Noongar heritage through genuine, respectful collaboration and the development of strong, enduring partnerships."
In a message to Whadjuk Traditional Owners, the Corporation said: "This restructure is for you. It's about restoring integrity, elevating your voice, and protecting your rights with clarity and strength."
More to come.
