Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

NATIVE TITLE ACT 1993 - SECT 203A

Commonwealth Minister may invite applications

             (1)  Subject to section 203AA, the Commonwealth Minister may:

                     (a)  invite applications from eligible bodies, in the way determined in writing by the Commonwealth Minister, for recognition as the representative body for an area; or

                     (b)  invite an eligible body, in writing, to make an application for recognition as the representative body for an area.

Invitations may cover more than one area

             (2)  The invitation may specify more than one area for which an application or applications are invited.

Invitations to specify application period

             (3)  The invitation must specify the period (of at least 28 days) within which the application or applications are to be given to the Commonwealth Minister.

          (3A)  The invitation may specify the period for which an eligible body would be recognised, if the body successfully applied for recognition. The period must be:

                     (a)  unless subsection (3B) applies, of no less than 2 years; and

                     (b)  of no more than 6 years.

          (3B)  The period specified may be of less than 2 years, but no less than 1 year, if:

                     (a)  the body is under external administration; or

                     (b)  a person is currently appointed, under a condition imposed by the Secretary in compliance with paragraph 203CA(1)(e), to deal with funds provided under Division 4 of this Part to the body; or

                     (c)  the Commonwealth Minister is of the opinion that specifying a period of that length would promote the efficient performance of the functions mentioned in subsection 203B(1).

Invitations may be general

             (4)  For the avoidance of doubt, the way determined under paragraph (1)(a) for inviting applications from eligible bodies may provide for the publication of general invitations to eligible bodies, and need not require that a separate invitation be made to each eligible body.