AICD submission on the CATSI Act

The AICD strongly supports the purpose of the CATSI Act. We understand from our consultation that it facilitates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to create and manage Indigenous entities which play a vital role in Indigenous communities.

The AICD endorses certain elements of the NIAA’s proposals which seek to promote the purpose of the CATSI Act, in particular those that encourage a flexible legislative framework that accommodates specific cultural practices and allow for self-determination. However, our stakeholder engagement has highlighted that certain proposals, if adopted, will add a further level of complexity, compliance and regulation to CATSI corporations that is unnecessary and out of step with the purpose of the legislation. We have also received feedback that the existing CATSI Act does not, in some cases, provide the flexibility and support needed to meet the unique cultural contexts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.