Indigenous Land Corporation gpo box 652 Adelaide sa 5001

Looking forward

As the ILC enters its 20th year in 2014–15, the corporation faces a number of strategic challenges. The Land Account’s revenues, generated from a capital base fixed in real terms, will be under increasing pressure to meet the expanding requests for land acquisition and management funding made by Indigenous organisations and communities across Australia. These pressures are exacerbated by the financial consequences of the Ayers Rock Resort purchase, the need to provide land management assistance across a growing Indigenous estate, and the rapid growth of Australia’s Indigenous population.

There are recent signs that the Australian tourism market is starting to grow again. This has resulted in improved financial performance for the ILC’s tourism portfolio, particularly in relation to Ayers Rock Resort. The refreshed Voyages Board, chaired by ILC Director Lisa Gay, has made a positive start to putting the ARR back on a sustainable financial trajectory.

Finally, the Board will continue to advocate the legislative changes in the Stronger Land Account Bill to improve the operation, financial returns and governance of the Land Account.

Board and staff

Outcomes achieved by the ILC in 2013–14 reflect well on the professionalism at all levels of the organisation. I thank fellow Board members for their considered deliberations and commitment throughout the year. I would also like to thank the staff of the ILC and those employed in ILC-operated businesses and subsidiary companies. Their work ensures that ILC programmes and projects continue to provide effective assistance to Indigenous Australians. Finally, I would like to thank the Indigenous organisations and individuals who participated in a range of consultations and evaluations and provided valuable feedback which enabled the ILC to review and improve its operations to ensure Indigenous Australians benefit from the ILC’s programmes and projects. The ILC’s focus is uncompromisingly on achieving positive outcomes over the long term. Legislating the Stronger Land Account Bill would ensure that a stronger Land Account is available in perpetuity to serve the land-related needs of future generations of Indigenous Australians.