Australian Capital Territory Self-Government Act 1988 (Cth)

The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) provides the legal mechanism through which the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature of the ACT are granted the authority to exercise power. Prior to the Act, the Federal Government was responsible for governing the ACT. 

Although the Act does not make explicit reference to Indigenous Australians, Schedule 4 outlines relevant matters over which the Executive of the ACT has the power to govern, including: 

• legal aid
• correctional and remand services
• civil liberties and human rights
• inquiries and administrative reviews
• Territory Land Use, planning and development of land
• environment protection and conservation
• housing 
• public safety 
• education 
• welfare services
• community, cultural and ethnic affairs.