South Australian Current Acts

MARALINGA TJARUTJA LAND RIGHTS ACT 1984 - SECT 5

5—Powers and functions of Maralinga Tjarutja

        (1)         The functions of Maralinga Tjarutja are as follows:

            (a)         to ascertain the wishes and opinions of traditional owners in relation to the management, use and control of the lands and to seek, where practicable, to give effect to those wishes and opinions; and

            (b)         to protect the interests of traditional owners in relation to the management, use and control of the lands; and

            (c)         to negotiate with persons desiring to use, occupy or gain access to any part of the lands; and

            (d)         to administer land vested in Maralinga Tjarutja.

        (2)         Maralinga Tjarutja has the following powers:

            (a)         the power to sue and be sued;

            (b)         the power—

                  (i)         to grant a lease or licence, for any period it thinks fit, in respect of any part of the lands (being a part of the lands vested in Maralinga Tjarutja) to a traditional owner or an organisation comprised of traditional owners;

                  (ii)         to grant a lease or licence, for a period not exceeding fifty years, in respect of any part of the lands (being a part of the lands vested in Maralinga Tjarutja) to an agency or instrumentality of the Crown;

                  (iii)         to grant a lease or licence, for a period not exceeding five years, in respect of any part of the lands (being a part of the lands vested in Maralinga Tjarutja) to any other person or body of persons;

            (c)         the power to acquire by agreement, hold, deal in, or dispose of, land outside the lands;

            (d)         the power to enter into contracts;

            (e)         the power to appoint and dismiss staff;

            (f)         the power to receive and disburse moneys;

            (g)         the power to obtain advice from persons who are expert in matters with which Maralinga Tjarutja is concerned;

            (h)         the power to establish offices;

                  (i)         the power to enter into a co-management agreement in relation to land to be vested in Maralinga Tjarutja;

            (j)         the power to make a constitution relating to—

            (a)         the conduct of meetings of Maralinga Tjarutja; and

            (b)         the procedures to be followed in resolving disputes; and

            (c)         any other matter that may be necessary or expedient in relation to the conduct or administration of the affairs of Maralinga Tjarutja;

            (k)         the power to take such other steps as may be necessary or expedient for, or incidental to, the performance of Maralinga Tjarutja's functions.