Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations v Kerkhoffs [2013] FCA 1445

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations v Kerkhoffs [2013] FCA 1445 Citation: Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations v Kerkhoffs [2013] FCA 1445

Parties: REGISTRAR OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CORPORATIONS v LEIGH LYNETTE KERKHOFFS ALSO KNOWN AS LEIGH LYNETTE CRAIGIE

File number: QUD 367 of 2013

Judge: LOGAN J

Date of judgment: 18 November 2013

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation – chairperson of corporation – alleged contraventions of Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) agreed to by respondent chairperson – failure to maintain adequate books and records – payment of unauthorised amounts to the Respondent – forgiveness of rental arrears owed by the respondent – sale of property to the Respondent at below market value Held: charges admitted - disqualification of five years imposed - pecuniary penalty of $50,000 - compensation in the amount of $31,414.17 and Respondent to pay Applicant's costs

Legislation: Aboriginals and Councils and Associations Act 1976 (Cth) Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) ss 265-1, 265-5, 265-10, 386-1 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)

Cases cited: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Adler (2002) 42 ACSR 80 considered Clean Energy Regulator v MT Solar Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 205 considered Commissioner for Corporate Affairs (Western Australia) v Ekamper (1987) 12 ACLR 519 applied Doyle on behalf of the Kalkadoon People #4 v State of Queensland (No 3) [2011] FCA 1466 cited Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1 cited