The South Australian government says urgent action is needed to address allegations of corruption and maladministration on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yunkunytjatjara Lands and is pushing for legislation to be passed within 24 hours.
Despite reservations about the haste, the Bill’s won the backing of the Opposition which means it’s certain to pass.
But crossbenchers say whatever concerns exist about APY Management, unscrutinised laws giving the Minister powers to intervene as he see fit to suspend the board and appoint an administrator are disrespectful and dangerous.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ian Hunter admits has hasn’t visited the APY Lands for 14 months or taken any action under existing laws.
APY Executive chairman Bernard Singer says the Minister is responding to unsubstantiated allegations in media reports by disaffected former employees, and has no actual evidence on which to act. “Our books are clean. We’ve got a financial audit coming through and with the audit report everything is sweet, sweet as.”
Mr Singer says the move is a racist attack on the nation’s oldest land rights, a sentiment echoed by the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and the Law Society.
