Relevant ABA Legislation | Australian Government Department Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) is a Special Account for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). It is administered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in accordance with the requirements of the Part VI of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (the ALRA).

Major functions of the ABA
Function	Section of ALRA	Description
Income into the ABA	Sections 62 and 63	To receive the equivalent of mining royalty monies derived from mining operations on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory, and such other income as outlined in section 63 of the ALRA.
Payments to Northern Territory Land Councils	Section 64(1), in accordance with section 34(1)	To make payments to Aboriginal Land Councils in the Northern Territory in the proportions determined by the Minister to meet their administrative expenditure. The ALRA requires that the administrative expenditure of the Land Councils is to be in accordance with the estimates of expenditure approved by the Minister.
Payments to Royalty Associations	Section 64(3)	To make payments to the above mentioned Land Councils for distribution to incorporated Aboriginal associations, communities or groups in order to benefit those Aboriginal people who are affected by mining operations. These payments are directly linked to the amount or royalty equivalent monies received in respect of mining in the areas concerned. Royalty associations receive 30 per cent of the royalty equivalents paid into the ABA.
Beneficial payments to Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory	Section 64(4)	For the Minister to make payments for the benefit of Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory. The ABA Advisory Committee provides advice to the Minister on these payments.
Office of Township Leasing Payments	Section 64(4A)	To make payments for the acquisition and administration of township leases approved under section 19A of the ALRA.
ABA Administration Payments	Section 64(6)	To make payments to meet the expenses of administering the ABA.
ABA Advisory Committee	Section 65	Establishes the Committee to provide advice to the Minister in relation to beneficial payments made under section 64(4).