Aboriginals Benefit Account (NT only)
The Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) is a Special Account (for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997) established for the receipt of statutory royalty equivalent monies generated from mining on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory (NT), and the distribution of these monies.
The ABA is administered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) in accordance with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (the ALRA).
The ABA funds are used to meet the operational costs of the Land Councils in the NT and to pay compensation to traditional owners and other Aboriginals living in the NT that have been affected by mining.
Under sub-section 64(4) of the ALRA, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is able to direct that amounts be paid, or applied to or for, the benefit of Aboriginals living in the Northern Territory.
Funding under sub-section 64(4) can be made to a body corporate, a State/Territory Government or an authority of a State or Territory (including a local government body) providing the organisation has been registered for an ABN.
ABA Advisory Committee (ABAAC)
In relation to sub-section 64(4) payments, the Minister is advised by the ABAAC. Its Chairperson, currently Ms Miriam Rose Baumann AM, is appointed by the Minister. Fourteen other members are elected by the four NT land councils established under the ALRA.Further information
In administering the ABA, FaHCSIA is responsible for the provision of policy and management advice on the use of discretionary funds, provision of secretariat support to the ABAAC and ongoing grant management of projects.For information on the ABA and its operating framework, please contact the ABA Strategy and Policy Section - Canberra on (02) 6121 4012.
For information on funding opportunities and the application process, please contact the ABA Grant Management and Secretariat Team - Darwin on (08) 8936 6422