OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE

The functions of the Office of the Registrar include the Registrar's statutory functions and the ancillary functions that arise from them. The statutory functions are broadly listed in section 165 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act but the Registrar also has functions and responsibilities under some other sections of the Act.

STATUTORY FUNCTIONS

to register land claims made under the ALRA by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) or by LALCs
to maintain the Register of Aboriginal Land Claims and Register of Aboriginal Owners
to approve the rules of NSWALC and LALCs
to make recommendations to the Minister and carry out such other prescribed functions in relation to the constitution of LALCs and their areas including: any alteration to their areas, boundaries and the changing of their names
to make recommendations to the Minister and carry out such other prescribed functions in relation to the alteration of area boundaries of Regions and the changing of regional names
to issue compliance directions to Aboriginal Land Councils, officers of Aboriginal Land Councils and councillors relating to the administration of the Act and the Regulation and to refer failures to comply with such direction to the Court
to mediate, conciliate or arbitrate disputes relating to the operation of the Act and the Regulation or to refer such disputes to independent mediators, conciliators or arbitrators
to investigate complaints regarding the non-disclosure of pecuniary interests, misbehaviours by councillors, Board members and members of staff of, and consultants to, Aboriginal Land Councils and breaches of the Act and the Regulation
at the request of the Minister, to provide to the Minister information as to the operations of an Aboriginal Land Council, and
such other functions conferred or imposed on the Registrar by or under the Act or any other Act.

In addition, the Registrar:

compiles and maintains a consolidated roll of all members of LALCs (s.59)
approves codes of conduct of NSWALC and LALCs (s.177)
may investigate complaints and may order the suspension of a councillor, Board member or staff member on the grounds of misbehaviour (s.181C, s.181F, s.181I)
may investigate or refer complaints to the Pecuniary Interest and Disciplinary Tribunal (s.181K)
may recommend that the Minister appoint an investigator to investigate the affairs of a LALC (s.216) or appoint an advisor to a LALC Board (s.234)
may require a LALC to provide access to its records (s.221A)
may determine that a person is not disqualified (on the grounds of a past offence) from standing for office in a LALC (s.66) or NSWALC (s.132)
may determine that a person is not disqualified (on the grounds of a past offence) from appointment as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of a LALC (s.78B) or of NSWALC (s.138A) because of a past offence
may delegate the exercise of any of the Registrar's functions (s.165A)

ANCILLIARY FUNCTIONS

to provide advice about the meaning and operation of the Act and Regulation and the rules of Aboriginal Land Councils
to provide advice about the Aboriginal land claim process
to provide advice about the information required for a person to establish their descent and cultural association with land to enable them to be registered as an Aboriginal Owner pursuant to the Act and Regulation, and
to provide information, education and training about the Act and Regulation