Queensland South Native Title Services ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion Minister for Indigenous Affairs Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 26 October 2018 Dear Minister We are pleased to present the 2017-18 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 s203FE(1) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA). The report includes independently audited financial statements for the financial year ending 30 June 2018. 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 2017 – 2018 | i TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter of Transmittal ...................................................................................................................................................i Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................01 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................................03 Contact Details.......................................................................................................................................................04 Board Report ..........................................................................................................................................................05 CEO Report ............................................................................................................................................................08 QSNTS Overview ...............................................................................................................................................11 Background ....................................................................................................................................................12 Legislative Functions ....................................................................................................................................13 Strategic Plan and Priorities .......................................................................................................................14 Services ..........................................................................................................................................................16 Service Delivery Process ............................................................................................................................18 Organisational Structure .............................................................................................................................21 Operational Plan ...........................................................................................................................................22 Performance Report .......................................................................................................................................23 Claim Areas ....................................................................................................................................................24 Review of Performance ...............................................................................................................................25 Outputs 2017-18 ..........................................................................................................................................26 Consent Determinations .............................................................................................................................27 Current Claims ..............................................................................................................................................27 QSNTS as Respondent ..............................................................................................................................34 Other Litigation ..............................................................................................................................................34 Research .........................................................................................................................................................34 Native Title Corporations ............................................................................................................................35 01 | Queensland South Native Title Services Future Acts Activity ......................................................................................................................................39 Grant Financial Performance Report ........................................................................................................40 Organisational Capability ............................................................................................................................41 PBC Support .................................................................................................................................................42 Advocacy ........................................................................................................................................................44 Stakeholder Engagement ...........................................................................................................................46 Corporate Report ..............................................................................................................................................48 Governance ....................................................................................................................................................49 Corporate Governance ...............................................................................................................................50 Former Board Members ..............................................................................................................................50 Board Members as at 30 June 2018 .......................................................................................................51 Executive Management ...............................................................................................................................54 Planning and Reporting ...............................................................................................................................55 Risk Management .........................................................................................................................................56 Human Resources Report ...........................................................................................................................59 Workforce Planning ......................................................................................................................................60 Workforce Profile, Retention and Turnover .............................................................................................61 Enterprise Agreement ..................................................................................................................................61 Training and Development ..........................................................................................................................61 Occupational Health and Safety ...............................................................................................................62 PBC Support .................................................................................................................................................63 Looking Ahead: Human Resources in 2018-19 ....................................................................................63 Financial Report ................................................................................................................................................64 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 their 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 their 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 those 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