Aboriginal Development Commission, 1978-88

Component identifier:

Series 11

Content Summary:

The Aboriginal Development Commission was created on 1 July 1980 as a statutory body under the Aboriginal Development Commission Act 1980. The Commission incorporated the functions of the former Aboriginal Loans Commission and the Aboriginal Land Fund Commission. Functions of the Aboriginal Development Commission included furthering the economic and social development of Aboriginal people by assisting them to acquire land, engage in business enterprises, and to provide and assist in obtaining finance for housing and other needs. The Commission consisted of ten Aboriginal members comprising a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and eight other members appointed by the Governor-General.

Charles Perkins was appointed the inaugural Chairman of the Commission for a four year term from 1980 until 1984. He also served as a part-time Commissioner from May to November 1988. On 5 March 1990, all functions of the Commission were merged into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

See also series 2 for semi-official correspondence maintained while a member of the ADC. Files relating to the inquires by the Auditor-General and the Senate Privileges Committee into the ADC are in series 12.

Chairman, ADC, 1980-84: these papers comprise files maintained by Perkins as Chairman of the Commission in 1980-84. The files contain correspondence, carbon copies of replies by Perkins, minutes, reports, cuttings, press releases, and other papers. The correspondence files are listed first, followed by the remaining material in roughly chronological order.

Commissioner, ADC, 1988: Files maintained by Perkins as Acting Commissioner in 1988. The files contain correspondence, minutes and other meeting papers for Commission meetings, subject files, administrative material regarding the Commission and other papers.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library by Charles Perkins in five instalments between 1989 and 1995.

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