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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-12-03 Daily Xml
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Motions

Aboriginal Lands Trust Land Disposal

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:26): I move:

That pursuant to section 44(2)(a) of the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 2013, this council resolves that the Aboriginal Lands Trust may dispose of the land and buildings held by the trust at 50-56 Sussex Street, North Adelaide (Certificate of Title Volume 5546 Folio 989 and Certificate of Title Volume 5536 Folio 252).

In speaking to the motion, I have been provided with the following information. The Aboriginal Lands Trust owns a property at 50-56 Sussex Street, North Adelaide. The property has an area of 1,538 square metres, so I am advised, and comprises a former boarding house, a caretaker's house, an office, a small playground and a car park.

The property was owned and run by various benevolent organisations before entering the trust estate in 1980, after which it was used to house Aboriginal women coming to Adelaide for medical treatment. It was last used for this purpose in 1995, and has been derelict for some time. In the meantime, the Aboriginal Lands Trust has been incurring considerable property maintenance costs.

The trust's board considered improving the building and using it for office premises. However, a feasibility study identified that the building did not meet occupational health and safety criteria, while Sussex Street is now zoned residential, precluding alternative uses. The current value of the Sussex Street property, based on SA Water rating, is in excess of $3 million. At its board meeting on 10 October 2019, the trust resolved unanimously to sell the property. This decision was informed by community consultation undertaken by the trust.

The trust is an independent statutory authority. It receives funding of just over $1 million per annum from the state government. About 20 per cent of its budget is allocated to rental costs for its current Adelaide CBD office. The trust intends to use proceeds from the sale of the Sussex Street property to secure its own premises, which will include multi-use spaces that can be used by Aboriginal communities as well as being available for hire to create a new income stream for the trust.

Earlier this year, the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee completed a report, as required by the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee Act 2003, following its review into the operations of the trust. The government recently provided a response to the committee's Presiding Member, noting that the government has been in discussion with the trust about further action that could be taken to put the trust in a sustainable financial position. This includes the proposal for sale of the Sussex Street property. Section 44(2)(a) of the act requires a resolution of both houses of parliament to approve the disposal of trust land.

My understanding is that the House of Assembly—the other chamber—may have already passed the motion, perhaps last week. Nevertheless, the act requires both houses of parliament at some stage to approve the disposal of the trust land. It is for that reason that I, on behalf of the government, move the motion standing in my name.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:29): I rise on behalf of the Labor opposition to indicate our support for the motion. The redevelopment of the Aboriginal Lands Trust property at Sussex Street is a project, I am advised, that has been under consideration for some time. Some disappointment has been expressed, I understand, that the ALT are not undertaking the redevelopment themselves, but we also understand that the ALT simply do not have the financial capacity to undertake this work themselves.

Additional concerns have been raised that, because of the disbanding of the ALT's commercial development advisory committee, that committee's advice could not be taken into consideration on this matter. However, I am advised that the ongoing involvement of the Indigenous Land Corporation, including with assistance in developing the business case, will provide a degree of reassurance. This provides an opportunity for reinvigoration of the ALT. It will allow the purchase of a new headquarters, as well as further investment in ALT businesses from the proceeds of the sale. So I indicate that Labor will be supporting the motion.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:30): I rise very briefly to indicate that the Greens will also support this motion and that we wish the ALT well with the sale of the property to ensure their prosperity into the future.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:31): I rise very briefly to indicate that I endorse the remarks that the Treasurer made in moving this motion, particularly the reference to the Premier's and the government's reference to the report of the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Premier asked that I take this matter to the committee before it be brought to the parliament. I note that the committee supported this action wholeheartedly, and I endorse the motion.

Motion carried.

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