Have your say on the CATSI Act: phase 2 consultation open now!

As you may be aware, on 11 December 2019, the Hon. Ken Wyatt MP AM, Minister for Indigenous Australians, announced a comprehensive review of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

The CATSI Act has now been in operation for 13 years, and it is important to ensure that it remains useful and relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the corporations they form. The CATSI Act is a special measure under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and special measures should be reviewed regularly to assess whether they have achieved their purpose.

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is leading this review and has issued a CATSI Act Review Draft Report which summarises matters raised in the previous round of consultation. They’ve now opened phase two of consultation where they are asking for your comments on matters raised so far, and if there’s anything else you think needs to be considered.

You can participate in the consultation process by:

o   registering for an online consultation session completing the online surveys for each chapter of the report

o   responding to the questions in the draft report by writing a submission and either uploading it to the webpage or emailing it to CATSIActReview@niaa.gov.au

o   providing general feedback on the webpage

o   ask the review team for an individual discussion

If you’ve got questions about the review please email the CATSIActReview@niaa.gov.au.

Get involved and make sure your voice is heard. The CATSI Act has a direct impact on you and your corporation so it’s important you understand what changes are being proposed and how they might affect you.