| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) operated as an Executive Agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. It was established on 1 July 2003 as a part of the Indigenous Affairs Portfolio in order to provide services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and to administer programs previously the responsibility of ATSIC.
On 15 April 2004, the Australian Government announced its intention to abolish both ATSIC and ATSIS and distribute the programs and services ATSIS administered to mainstream Australian Government agencies. The transfer of the vast majority of programs occurred on 1 July 2004 while on 16 March 2005 the Federal Parliament passed the ATSIC Amendment Bill repealing provisions of the ATSIC Act 1989 (Cth), and in particular abolishing ATSIC and ATSIS.
The legislation received the Royal Assent and was proclaimed with effect from 24 March 2005. In addition, the legislation provided that Regional Councils would cease operations on 30 June 2005. |
