Queensland South Native Title Services ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion Minister for Indigenous Affairs Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 26 October 2017 Dear Minister We are pleased to present the 2016-17 Annual Report for Queensland South Native Title Services Limited (QSNTS). This report is provided in accordance with the Australian Government’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) terms and conditions relating to the native title funding agreement under s 203FE(1) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA). The report includes independently audited financial statements for the financial year ending 30 June 2017. Thank you for your ongoing support of the work QSNTS is undertaking. Yours sincerely Chair, Board of Directors Queensland South Native Title Services Annual Report 2016 – 2017 | i TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter of Transmittal ...................................................................................................................................................i Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................01 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................................03 Contact Details.......................................................................................................................................................04 Board Report ..........................................................................................................................................................05 CEO Report ............................................................................................................................................................07 QSNTS Overview ...............................................................................................................................................09 Background ....................................................................................................................................................10 Legislative Functions ....................................................................................................................................11 Strategies and Priorities ..............................................................................................................................12 Services Delivered ........................................................................................................................................14 Service Delivery Process ............................................................................................................................15 Organisational Structure .............................................................................................................................17 Operational Plan ...........................................................................................................................................20 Performance Report .......................................................................................................................................21 Claim Areas ....................................................................................................................................................22 Review of Performance ...............................................................................................................................23 Outputs 2016-17 ..........................................................................................................................................24 Consent Determinations .............................................................................................................................25 Current Claims ..............................................................................................................................................25 QSNTS as a Respondent ...........................................................................................................................33 Other Litigation ..............................................................................................................................................33 Research .........................................................................................................................................................34 01 | Queensland South Native Title Services Native Title Corporations ............................................................................................................................34 Future Acts Activity ......................................................................................................................................37 Grant Financial Performance Report ........................................................................................................38 Organisational Capability ............................................................................................................................39 Advocacy ........................................................................................................................................................41 Stakeholder Engagement ...........................................................................................................................44 Corporate Report ..............................................................................................................................................46 Governance ....................................................................................................................................................47 Corporate Governance ...............................................................................................................................48 Board Members as at 30 June 2017 .......................................................................................................49 Executive Management ...............................................................................................................................51 Planning and Reporting ...............................................................................................................................52 Risk Management .........................................................................................................................................53 External Scrutiny ...........................................................................................................................................55 Human Resources Report ...........................................................................................................................56 Workforce Planning ......................................................................................................................................57 Workforce Profile, Retention and Turnover .............................................................................................57 Training and Development ..........................................................................................................................58 Enterprise Agreement ..................................................................................................................................58 Occupational Health and Safety ...............................................................................................................59 Looking Ahead: Human Resources in 2017-18 ....................................................................................59 Financial Report ................................................................................................................................................60 Annual Report 2016 – 2017 | 02 GLOSSARY The person or persons authorised by the native title claim group to represent Applicant the group in matters arising under the NTA in relation to the native title determination application. The process (usually in the form of a meeting) that a native title claim group uses Authorisation to give permission to deal with matters arising in relation to that application, including a determination application. An application for a determination of native title, a revised determination of native Claim title or a compensation application under s 61 of the NTA. Also referred to as a native title determination application or a native title application. Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Australia as a respondent party in a native title of Australia determination application. Also referred to as ‘the Commonwealth’. The communal, group or individual rights and interests of Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders in relation to land and waters, where the rights Native Title and interests are possessed under the traditional law acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the group or individual. The NTA refers to the recognition of these rights and interests by the Federal Court of Australia. The Queensland State Government and principal respondent party to a native title State of Queensland determination application. Also referred to as ‘the State’. CEO Chief Executive Officer CFO Chief Financial Officer DPLO Deputy Principal Legal Officer DPMC Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement IMD Implementation and Management Division MOU Memorandum