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Chief Executive Officer's Report
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
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It has been a busy, challenging but rewarding year here at South Australian Native Title Services, not the least because it has been my first year as CEO. I have appreciated the warm welcome afforded to me as CEO by the SANTS Board and employees and am pleased to be working with such dedicated people. I look forward to their continuing support as we endeavour to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. The 2012/2013 year has presented many challenges to SANTS. Especially pressing has been the level of litigation SANTS experienced this year with matters in the High Court (Karpany vs Dietman), the Federal Court (Barngala vs State of South Australia, Nicholls vs State of South Australia), the Supreme Court (Straits Resources vs Kokatha Uwankara) and the ERD Court (Minotaur vs SANTS).
Despite the pressures that litigation brings, I am pleased that SANTS has been able to assist some groups to move closer to resolution of their claims through consent determination.
On a sad note, this year we mourned the passing of some senior Aboriginal leaders who contributed a great deal to the native title process in South Australia. They will be revered and remembered for their significant contributions.
Banner image: Thurlga Station.
Above left top: Keith Thomas, CEO.
Above right top: Journey to Recognition event, Salisbury Wetlands, SA.
Above right below: Clifford Woodford and Cameron Wheelock collecting seed on Thurlga Station.
Journey to Recognition event, Salisbury Wetlands, SA.
Clifford Woodford and Cameron Wheelock collecting seed on Thurlga Station.
Overview of performance and financial results
SANTS’ performance this year has been very good despite various litigation matters placing a significant strain on SANTS’ resources. Consequently, SANTS has not been able to provide some services as planned this year. I have appreciated our clients’ patience and understanding during this time.
Nevertheless, SANTS has been able to provide assistance to priority claims with the possibility of three to four consent determination hearings next year.
This year SANTS made significant changes to its finance systems to better streamline its financial procedures. I thank the finance team for their efforts in striving to further improve SANTS financial processing and reporting.
In terms of SANTS’ financial results, I am pleased that the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs was able to provide additional funding for litigation purposes for, without it, the company would have been in a dire situation.
Overall, I am well satisfied with SANTS’ performance and its financial results.
Outlook for the following year
SANTS is well positioned coming into the new financial year to achieve consent determinations for three native title applications and one compensation application. At the time of writing this report, the Far West Coast claim has been set down for a consent determination hearing in December 2013 as well as the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi claim in April 2014. The De Rose Hill compensation claim has been set down for a consent determination hearing in October 2013. The Tjayiwara Unmuru claim consent determination was held in July 2013.
On top of this, SANTS still has some litigation matters ongoing which will regrettably restrict the level of service we can provide other claims during the year.
Keith Thomas, Chief Executive Officer
