Portfolio Budget Statements 2008-09 

Ministers and portfolio responsibilities

The Ministers responsible for the portfolio and its agencies are:

• the Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP, Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women
• the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services.

The portfolio comprises the following agencies, independent bodies and statutory authorities and office holders.

Portfolio Department

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs(FaHCSIA)

FaHCSIA is an important source of advice to the Australian Government (the Government) on social policy. The Department works in partnership with other government and non-government organisations in the management of a diverse range of programs and services designed to support and improve the lives of Australians.

FaHCSIA has whole-of-government responsibilities in relation to Indigenous affairs and women.

Portfolio Agencies

Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is an Australian Government company that provides temporary accommodation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons through a national network of 138 hostels. AHL contributes to the portfolio’s goals by helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve their standard of living and achieve health, aged care, educational and employment-related goals.

Indigenous Business Australia

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is a statutory authority established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 that creates opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities to build assets and wealth.

IBA is an integral partner in the Government's overarching Indigenous Economic Development Strategy. To achieve the strategy’s goals, IBA assists the Government in working with the private sector and local Indigenous people to encourage and foster Indigenous economic independence.

Indigenous Land Corporation

The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is a statutory authority established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005. ILC assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to acquire and manage Indigenous-held land so as to provide economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits. ILC contributes to the portfolio by assisting in the delivery of sustainable benefits from land acquisition and by providing land management assistance.

Torres Strait Regional Authority

The Torres Strait Regional Authority is a statutory authority established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005. It formulates, implements and monitors the effectiveness of programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Torres Strait area and advises the Minister about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

The Authority contributes to the goals of the Department by working to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Torres Strait to determine their own affairs based on the Ailan Kastom (Island Custom) of Torres Strait which provides a source of unity and strength.

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) is a statutory authority which administers the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (Commonwealth). EOWA contributes to portfolio goals by working with business to develop work practices that improve women’s workforce participation in an environment free from discrimination.

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Other Portfolio Statutory Authorities, Bodies, Office Holders and Advisory Bodies

Aboriginals Benefit Account Advisory Committee

The Aboriginals Benefit Account Advisory Committee is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to advise the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in connection with payments under the Account. The Committee Chair is appointed by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Aboriginal Land Commissioner

The Aboriginal Land Commissioner is an independent statutory officeholder appointed by the Governor-General under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. The principal function of the Commissioner is to consider applications for claims to traditional land and to make findings to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for the granting of land.

Executive Director of Township Leasing

The position of Executive Director, Township Leasing is a statutory office established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, to enter into, on behalf of the Commonwealth, leases under Section 19A of the Act; and to administer sub-leases and other rights and interests derived from such leases.

The Executive Director enters into leases over townships on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory in accordance with section 19A of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, following approval from the traditional owners. The purpose of these arrangements is to facilitate certainty of land tenure for housing and commercial development in Indigenous townships.

Northern Territory Land Councils

The Northern Land Council, the Central Land Council, the Anindilyakwa Land Council, and the Tiwi Land Council are the four Northern Territory land councils established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (the ALRA). Each of the four land councils is an independent statutory body and was established to represent Aboriginal interests in a range of processes under the ALRA.

Registrar of Indigenous Corporations

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations is an independent statutory office holder who administers the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act), and provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, groups and organisations with a means of registration. The CATSI Act was passed by the Australian Parliament in October 2006, replacing the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 (ACA Act).

Social Security Appeals Tribunal

The Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) is a statutory body under the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 that conducts merit reviews of administrative decisions made under a number of enactments, in particular social security law, family assistance law, and child support law.

The tribunal has the power to review decisions independently of Centrelink, the Child Support Agency, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and FaHCSIA. It provides a review mechanism that is just, efficient, effective and informal. The SSAT contributes to the portfolio by ensuring that administrative decisions of the Department are consistent with the legislation.

Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council

The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council is an independent statutory body established by the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986. The Council holds title to land and provides services to the Aboriginal community of Jervis Bay.

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Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio structure and outcomes ^*

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP

Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women

The Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services

The Hon. Bill Shorten, MP

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Secretary: Dr Jeff Harmer

Outcome 1 Greater self-reliance and economic, social and community engagement for Indigenous Australians

Outcome 2 Seniors, people with disabilities, carers, youth and women are supported, recognised and encouraged to participate in the community

Outcome 3 Families and children have choices and opportunities

Outcome 4 Strong and resilient communities

Aboriginal Hostels Limited

General Manager: Mr Keith Clarke

Outcome Provide temporary accommodation that assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve personal goals to obtain dignity and equity in the Australian community

Indigenous Business Australia

General Manager: Mr Ron Morony

Outcome Stimulating the economic advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Indigenous Land Corporation

Chair: Ms Shirley McPherson

Outcome Provide economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders by assisting in the acquisition and management of land

Torres Strait Regional Authority

Chair: Mr John (Toshie) Kris

Outcome Achieve a better quality of life and develop an economic base for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal persons living in the Torres Strait

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency

Director: Ms Anna McPhee

Outcome Equality of opportunity in employment for women

* Only Ministers, the portfolio department and portfolio agencies are represented in this figure

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Portfolio resources made available in the budget year