{"id":"desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003","name":"Desert Knowledge Australia Act 2003","slug":"desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30016,"registerId":"nt-desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Desert Knowledge Australia Act 2003","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nDESERT KNOWLEDGE AUSTRALIA ACT 2003\nAs in force at 22 March 2005\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Objects ............................................................................................ 1\n4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 2\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\n5 Establishment .................................................................................. 2\n6 Functions of DKA............................................................................. 3\n7 Powers of DKA ................................................................................ 4\n8 Conduct of affairs of DKA ................................................................ 6\n9 Directions of Minister ....................................................................... 6\n10 DKA excluded matter under Corporations Act 2001 ........................ 6\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\n11 Establishment of Board ................................................................... 7\n12 Composition of Board ...................................................................... 7\n13 Appointment of members................................................................. 7\n14 Nominations by participants............................................................. 7\n15 Other nominations ........................................................................... 8\n16 Qualifications etc. of persons appointed .......................................... 8\n17 Term of office of members ............................................................... 8\n18 Appointment of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson .................... 9\n19 Vacation of office of member ........................................................... 9\n20 Termination of appointment of member ......................................... 10\n21 Leave of absence .......................................................................... 10\n22 Disclosure of interests ................................................................... 10\n23 Obligation to disclose interest on becoming aware of conflict of\ninterest ........................................................................................... 11\nDivision 2 Procedures of Board\n24 Convening of Board ....................................................................... 12\n25 Meetings of Board ......................................................................... 12\n26 Procedure of Board ....................................................................... 13\n27 Delegation ..................................................................................... 13\n\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 ii\n28 Validity of proceedings and actions of Board etc. .......................... 14\nDivision 3 Staff etc.\n29 Appointment of staff ....................................................................... 14\n30 Appointment and responsibilities of chief executive ...................... 14\n31 Powers of chief executive .............................................................. 15\n32 Consultants may be engaged ........................................................ 15\nDivision 4 Committees\n33 Committees of Board ..................................................................... 15\n34 Composition of committees ........................................................... 15\n35 Procedure of committees ............................................................... 15\nDivision 5 Desert Knowledge Australia Precinct\n36 Declaration of precinct ................................................................... 16\n37 Purpose of precinct........................................................................ 16\nDivision 6 Societies of participants and associates\n38 Setting up of societies ................................................................... 16\n39 Fees .............................................................................................. 16\nPart 4 Finance, property, reports and audit\n40 Money of DKA ............................................................................... 16\n41 Application of money ..................................................................... 17\n42 ADI accounts ................................................................................. 17\n43 Proper accounts to be kept etc. ..................................................... 17\n44 Gifts etc. and trust funds ................................................................ 17\n45 Investment ..................................................................................... 18\n46 Provision of financial information to Treasurer............................... 18\n47 Annual report and audit of report ................................................... 18\nPart 5 By-laws\n48 Definitions ...................................................................................... 19\n49 Power to make by-laws ................................................................. 19\n50 Subject matter of by-laws .............................................................. 20\n51 Application of by-laws .................................................................... 21\n52 Liability of owner of motor vehicle.................................................. 21\n53 Evidence of ownership of motor vehicle ........................................ 23\n54 Recovery of penalties imposed under By-laws .............................. 24\n55 Section 57 of Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply to\nBy-laws .......................................................................................... 24\n\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 iii\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n56 Protection from liability .................................................................. 24\n57 Form and execution of documents by DKA ................................... 25\n58 Proof of resolutions of Board etc. .................................................. 25\n59 Regulations.................................................................................... 26\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 22 March 2005\n____________________\nDESERT KNOWLEDGE AUSTRALIA ACT 2003\nAn Act to encourage and facilitate learning, research and sustainable\neconomic and social development relating to deserts and arid lands and\nto establish Desert Knowledge Australia, and for related purposes\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Desert Knowledge Australia Act 2003.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act comes into operation on the date fixed by the Administrator\nby notice in the Gazette.\n3 Objects\nThe objects of this Act are:\n(a) to encourage and facilitate education and training, research,\ncommerce and technology that is relevant to the health, well-\nbeing, sustainable economic and social development and\nimproved livelihoods of all communities in deserts and arid\nlands;\n(b) to develop wealth creation activities in deserts and arid lands\nin a manner that promotes harmony in and between\ncommunities in deserts and arid lands while maintaining the\neconomy and environment of deserts and arid lands in an\necologically sustainable manner and the culture and identity of\nthose communities;\n(c) to encourage and facilitate the formation of partnerships, joint\nventures, alliances, networks and other cooperative\narrangements for the purpose of achieving the objects\nspecified in paragraphs (a) and (b); and\n(d) to establish a statutory corporation to carry out activities for\nthe purpose of achieving the objects specified in\nparagraphs (a), (b) and (c).\n\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 2\n4 Definitions\nIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:\nAboriginal means a person who is a member of the Aboriginal race\nof Australia.\nassociate means a person, organisation or authority (whether\nincorporated or not) who or which has an interest in the activities of\nDKA and its participants and who or which is a member of a society\nof associates of DKA set up under section 38.\nBoard means the Board established by section 11.\nChairperson means the member who is appointed to be the\nChairperson under section 18.\nchief executive means the chief executive appointed under\nsection 30.\ncommittee means a committee of the Board established under\nsection 33.\nDeputy Chairperson means the member who is appointed to be\nthe Deputy Chairperson under section 18.\nDKA means Desert Knowledge Australia established by section 5.\nmember means the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson or other\nmember of the Board appointed under section 13.\nparticipant means a person, organisation or authority (whether\nincorporated or not) who or which is contributing to building a body\nof knowledge and expertise about deserts and arid lands by means\nfunded or otherwise facilitated, promoted or supported by DKA and\nwho or which is a member of a society of participants set up under\nsection 38.\nprecinct means the Desert Knowledge Australia Precinct declared\nunder section 36.\nstaff means the officers and employees who are appointed,\nemployed or engaged by DKA under Part 3, Division 3.\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\n5 Establishment\n(1) Desert Knowledge Australia is established.\n\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 3\n(2) Desert Knowledge Australia:\n(a) is a body corporate;\n(b) has a common seal; and\n(c) is capable, in its corporate name, of acquiring, holding and\ndisposing of real and personal property and of suing and being\nsued.\n(3) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially must take judicial\nnotice of the common seal of Desert Knowledge Australia affixed to\na document and must presume that it was duly affixed.\n6 Functions of DKA\n(1) The functions of DKA are:\n(a) to encourage and facilitate the development of a body of\nknowledge and expertise relevant to deserts and arid lands;\n(b) to encourage improvements to the economies and livelihoods\nof communities in deserts and arid lands and further the\neconomic and social development and ecologically\nsustainable wealth creation of those communities;\n(c) to establish, develop and manage the Desert Knowledge\nAustralia Precinct as a nationally and internationally renowned\ncentre of knowledge about deserts and arid lands and for its\ncontribution to education and training, research, commerce\nand technology relevant to the economic and social\ndevelopment of communities in deserts and arid lands;\n(d) to encourage the provision of high-quality communication and\nother services to desert areas and arid lands;\n(e) to undertake, fund, facilitate, promote and support research,\nstudy and training that:\n(i) is relevant to deserts and arid lands;\n(ii) contributes to the health, well-being, sustainable\neconomic and social development and improved\nlivelihoods of communities in deserts and arid lands; and\n(iii) encourages practices and programs for use in or\nrelevant to deserts and arid lands that are ecologically\nand culturally sound and sustainable;\n\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 4\n(f) to encourage and facilitate communication and collaboration\nbetween persons and communities, and the formation of\npartnerships, joint ventures, alliances, networks and other\ncooperative arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a)\nto (e) (inclusive);\n(g) to attract suitable persons, organisations and authorities\n(whether incorporated or not) to be participants in DKA;\n(h) the prescribed functions, if any; and\n(i) any other functions imposed on it by or under another Act.\n(2) DKA may perform its functions:\n(a) in the Territory; and\n(b) in other parts of Australia, and in other countries, through\npartnerships, joint ventures, alliances, networks and other\ncooperative arrangements.\n7 Powers of DKA\n(1) Subject to this or any other Act or an instrument of a legislative or\nadministrative character made under this or any other Act, DKA has\npower to do all things that are necessary or convenient to be done\nfor or in connection with or incidental to the performance of its\nfunctions.\n(2) In particular, DKA has power to:\n(a) negotiate and enter into contracts, agreements, schemes and\narrangements;\n(b) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire and hold real or personal\nproperty and, with the approval of the Treasurer, sell, grant\nleases of or otherwise dispose of real or personal property;\n(c) erect buildings;\n(d) occupy, use, control and manage land or a building owned or\nleased by DKA;\n(e) seek, apply for and accept gifts, grants, bequests, devises and\nassignments made to DKA, whether on trust or otherwise, and\nact as trustee of money and other property vested in it on\ntrust;\n\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 5\n(f) enter into arrangements with other persons or organisations,\nwhether from Australia or another country, or with the\nCommonwealth or a State or Territory of the Commonwealth,\nfor the development of DKA;\n(g) create, develop, apply for, obtain and hold intellectual property\nand enter into agreements or arrangements of a commercial\nnature in respect of intellectual property on the terms,\nincluding terms as to royalties and lump sum payments, that\nthe Board considers appropriate;\n(h) with the approval of the Treasurer, borrow and invest money;\n(i) with the approval of the Treasurer, grant loans to persons\ncarrying on activities related to the operations of DKA on the\nterms the Board considers appropriate;\n(j) with the approval of the Treasurer, form or establish or\nparticipate in the formation or establishment of bodies\ncorporate;\n(k) with the approval of the Treasurer, form partnerships and\nenter into joint ventures or other arrangements, or create\ntrusts, for sharing profits;\n(l) with the approval of the Treasurer, enter into franchise\nagreements;\n(m) confer awards and scholarships;\n(n) administer schemes of financial and other assistance;\n(o) establish, manage and control halls of residence and other\nforms of student and other accommodation;\n(p) employ or engage staff, engage consultants and appoint\nagents and attorneys;\n(q) charge for work, services, goods and information done,\nsupplied or published by DKA and for admission into the\nprecinct or any part of the precinct;\n(r) call for and evaluate submissions for persons, organisations or\nauthorities to be participants in DKA;\n(s) set up a society or societies of participants in DKA and a\nsociety or societies of associates of DKA, provide for their\npromotion and development and charge and collect a fee for\nbelonging to the societies; and\n\nPart 2 Desert Knowledge Australia\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 6\n(t) grant rights to produce and publish documents containing\nmaterial relating to the functions of DKA.\n8 Conduct of affairs of DKA\n(1) Subject to this Act, the affairs of DKA are to be conducted by the\nBoard.\n(2) The Board must conduct the affairs of DKA:\n(a) in a manner that is reasonable and accords with and furthers\nthe objects of this Act;\n(b) in a manner that directs benefits to the Territory;\n(c) within a budget approved by the Minister; and\n(d) to the extent the affairs involve commercial activities, in a\ncommercial manner consistent with the principle of\ncompetitive neutrality.\n(3) All acts, matters and things done by the Board, or by the\nChairperson, a member, a member of a committee, a member of\nthe staff or any other person in the name of or on behalf of DKA\nwith the express or implied authority of the Board, are taken to have\nbeen done by DKA.\n9 Directions of Minister\n(1) In conducting the affairs of DKA, the Board is subject to the written\ndirections of the Minister.\n(2) The Minister must lay before the Legislative Assembly a copy of a\ndirection given under subsection (1) within 6 sitting days of the\nAssembly after giving the direction.\n(3) A copy of a direction given under subsection (1) in a financial year\nis to be included in the Board's report for the year prepared under\nsection 47.\n10 DKA excluded matter under Corporations Act 2001\nDKA is declared to be an excluded matter for the purposes of\nsection 5F of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the whole of\nthe Corporations legislation.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 7\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\n11 Establishment of Board\nThere is a Board of DKA.\n12 Composition of Board\nThe Board consists of at least 5 and not more than 11 members.\n13 Appointment of members\n(1) Subject to this Division, the Minister may appoint in writing the\nmembers of the Board in accordance with subsection (5).\n(2) Half the members are to be persons nominated by participants in\naccordance with section 14.\n(3) A reference in subsection (2) to half the number of members is a\nreference to the whole number that represents half the number of\nmembers or, if half the number of members is represented by a\nnumber that is not a whole number, the next lowest whole number.\n(4) Of the persons appointed to be members, the Minister must\nappoint:\n(a) if the Board is to be composed of 5 members – 2 persons who\nare Aboriginals;\n(b) if the Board is to be composed of 6, 7 or 8 members –\n3 persons who are Aboriginals; or\n(c) if the Board is to be composed of 9, 10 or 11 members –\n4 persons who are Aboriginals.\n(5) In appointing persons as members, the Minister must comply with\nsections 14, 15 and 16.\n14 Nominations by participants\n(1) The Minister must invite the participants, and the societies of\nparticipants set up under section 38, to nominate for appointment\nas members persons who hold suitable qualifications or have\nsuitable knowledge and experience relating to the objects of this\nAct and the powers and functions of DKA.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 8\n(2) The Minister must consult and make inquiries about the suitability of\neach person nominated under subsection (1) and, having done so,\nappoint from those persons nominated the number of members\nrequired by section 13(2) to be nominated by participants.\n15 Other nominations\nTo assist the Minister in appointing persons who are not referred to\nin section 14(2), the Minister may invite the Australian Prime\nMinister, a Premier of a State of the Commonwealth or any other\nperson the Minister considers appropriate to nominate a person\nwho is suitable for appointment.\n16 Qualifications etc. of persons appointed\n(1) The Minister must not appoint a person unless he or she is satisfied\nthat the person holds suitable qualifications or has suitable\nknowledge and experience relating to the objects of this Act and the\npowers and functions of DKA.\n(2) The Minister must appoint only persons who, in his or her opinion:\n(a) represent the interests of:\n(i) communities in deserts and arid lands;\n(ii) the indigenous people of deserts and arid lands;\n(iii) persons with a special expertise or interest relevant to\ndeserts and arid lands; and\n(iv) the different levels of Government,\nin the proportion the Minister considers appropriate for the\nconduct of the affairs of DKA; and\n(b) are collectively capable of conducting the affairs of DKA so\nthat it carries out activities and achieves outcomes that accord\nwith and further the objects of this Act.\n17 Term of office of members\n(1) A member holds office for:\n(a) 4 years; or\n(b) if a shorter period is specified in the instrument of appointment\nof the member – the shorter period.\n(2) A person may be re-appointed as a member.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 9\n(3) Despite subsection (1), unless a member sooner vacates his or her\noffice or is removed from office under section 20, on the expiration\nof the term of office of the member, the member continues to hold\noffice until a successor is appointed.\n18 Appointment of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson\n(1) The Minister must appoint in writing a member to be the\nChairperson and another member to be the Deputy Chairperson.\n(2) The Minister must appoint a member from amongst the members\nwho are Aboriginals to be either the Chairperson or Deputy\nChairperson.\n(3) Subject to subsection (4), the term of office of the Chairperson or\nDeputy Chairperson is the term specified by the Minister in the\ninstrument of appointment.\n(4) The Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson holds office until:\n(a) the expiry of his or her term of office as Chairperson or Deputy\nChairperson;\n(b) he or she resigns the office of Chairperson or Deputy\nChairperson by writing signed by him or her and delivered to\nthe Minister; or\n(c) a vacancy occurs in his or her office as member.\n(5) A member may be re-appointed as the Chairperson or Deputy\nChairperson.\n(6) If, for any reason, the Chairperson is unable to exercise his or her\npowers or perform his or her functions or there is a vacancy in the\noffice of Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson must act in the office\nof Chairperson.\n19 Vacation of office of member\n(1) A member vacates the member's office if:\n(a) the member's term of office expires; or\n(b) the member resigns the member's office by writing signed by\nthe member and delivered to the Chairperson.\n(2) If a member resigns, the Chairperson must inform the Minister of\nthe member's resignation within 5 days after receiving it.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 10\n20 Termination of appointment of member\n(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member on the\ngrounds of inability, inefficiency, misbehaviour or physical or mental\nincapacity.\n(2) The Minister must terminate the appointment of a member if the\nmember:\n(a) is absent, except on leave granted by the Board, from\n3 consecutive meetings of the Board; or\n(b) knowingly contravenes or fails to comply with section 22 or 23.\n(3) A member's appointment terminates if the member:\n(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of a law for the\nrelief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with\ncreditors or makes an assignment of the member's\nremuneration for their benefit; or\n(b) is found guilty by a court in the Territory of an offence\npunishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more or is found\nguilty by a court outside the Territory of an offence which, if\ncommitted against a law in force in the Territory, would be an\noffence punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more.\n(4) The termination of an appointment under subsection (1) or (2) is to\nbe in writing and a copy is to be given to the member.\n21 Leave of absence\n(1) The Board may grant a member leave of absence.\n(2) In granting a member leave of absence, the Board must specify the\nperiod of leave granted.\n(3) The Board must inform the Minister of a member's leave (including\nthe period of leave granted) as soon as practicable after granting\nthe leave.\n22 Disclosure of interests\n(1) At the first meeting of the Board after a person becomes a member,\nhe or she must disclose:\n(a) the name and a description of any body corporate,\nassociation, society or other body of which he or she is a\nmember or an officer or by which he or she is employed;\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 1 The Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 11\n(b) the name and a description of any partnership of which he or\nshe is a partner or by which he or she is employed;\n(c) any other interest he or she has in relation to a person or body\nthat is likely to give rise to a conflict with his or her duties as\nmember; and\n(d) any other information prescribed by the Regulations.\n(2) The disclosure is to be made in the manner determined by the\nBoard.\n(3) On a member making a disclosure in accordance with\nsubsections (1) and (2), the member is taken to have given\nsufficient disclosure of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest of\nthe member in relation to any matter that might be considered at a\nmeeting of the Board or any thing that might be done by the Board\nafter the disclosure.\n(4) If there is a change to information disclosed by the member or the\nmember acquires new interests likely to give rise to a conflict with\nhis or her duties as member, the member must vary his or her\ndisclosure accordingly, in the manner determined by the Board –\n(a) at the first meeting of the Board after the change or\nacquisition; or\n(b) where the Board does not meet within 30 days after the\nchange or acquisition – within that 30 day period.\n(5) A disclosure (as varied) remains effective during the member's term\nof office and any successive term of office held by the member.\n(6) The Board must:\n(a) keep a record of the particulars of all disclosures and\nvariations of disclosures made under this section; and\n(b) make the record available at all reasonable times for\ninspection on payment of the fee (if any) determined by the\nBoard for that purpose.\n23 Obligation to disclose interest on becoming aware of conflict\nof interest\n(1) In this section:\nBoard includes a committee.\nmember includes a member of a committee.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 2 Procedures of Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 12\n(2) Despite section 22, if a member becomes aware that he or she has\nor may have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in:\n(a) a matter being considered or about to be considered by the\nBoard; or\n(b) a thing being done or about to be done by the Board,\nthe member must as soon as possible disclose the nature of the\ninterest or possible interest at a meeting of the Board.\n(3) Subject to a resolution of the Board to the contrary, a member who\ndiscloses a pecuniary interest in a matter or thing in accordance\nwith subsection (2):\n(a) may be present during deliberations by the Board but must not\ntake part in the making of the decisions of the Board in relation\nto that matter or thing; and\n(b) must not perform a function under this Act in relation to that\nmatter or thing.\n(4) The resolution of the Board to the contrary is to be deliberated and\nvoted on in the absence of the member.\nDivision 2 Procedures of Board\n24 Convening of Board\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Board must meet as often as is\nnecessary for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its\nfunctions.\n(2) The Board must meet at least 4 times in each year.\n(3) The Minister may give a direction to the Board under section 9\nrequiring the Board to meet.\n(4) The Chairperson must make the arrangements that enable the\nBoard to meet.\n25 Meetings of Board\n(1) The Chairperson or, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy\nChairperson or, in the absence of both the Chairperson and the\nDeputy Chairperson, the member elected by the members present\nfrom amongst their number must preside at a meeting of the Board.\n(2) Subject to subsection (3), each member present at a meeting\n(including the member presiding over the meeting) has one vote.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 2 Procedures of Board\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 13\n(3) Questions arising at a meeting of the Board are to be determined\nby a majority of the votes of the members present and, in the event\nof an equality of votes, the person presiding over the meeting has a\ncasting vote.\n(4) At a meeting of the Board:\n(a) one member appointed on nomination under section 14 and\none member who was not appointed on nomination under that\nsection must be present; and\n(b) the number of members equal to half the number of members\nholding the office of member plus one constitutes a quorum.\n(5) A reference in subsection (4)(b) to half of the number of members\nholding office is a reference to the whole number that represents\nhalf the number of members or, if half the number of members is\nrepresented by a number that is not a whole number, the next\nlowest whole number.\n(6) Subject to a resolution of the Board to the contrary, the chief\nexecutive must attend all meetings of the Board to inform and\nadvise the Board on matters before it.\n26 Procedure of Board\n(1) Unless otherwise prescribed, the procedures of the Board are to be\ndetermined by the Board.\n(2) The Board must keep a record of all its meetings and other\nproceedings and all its decisions made during the course of its\nmeetings and other proceedings.\n27 Delegation\n(1) The Board may delegate in writing to a person or a committee or\nother body any of the Board's powers and functions under this Act,\nother than this power of delegation and the power to make by-laws.\n(2) If the Board delegates a power or function to a committee or other\nbody and there is a change in the membership of the committee or\nbody, the delegation continues in force as a delegation of the power\nor function to the committee or body as newly constituted unless\nthe Board expressly revokes or varies the instrument of delegation.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 3 Staff etc.\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 14\n28 Validity of proceedings and actions of Board etc.\nA proceeding of the Board or a committee or act or thing done by\nthe Board, a committee, the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson,\nthe chief executive, a member of the Board or a committee or a\ndelegate of the Board is not invalid by reason only of one or more of\nthe following:\n(a) a defect in the appointment of a member;\n(b) a defect in the appointment of a member as the Chairperson\nor Deputy Chairperson;\n(c) a defect in the appointment of a member of a committee;\n(d) a defect in the appointment of the chief executive;\n(e) a defect in a delegation by the Board;\n(f) a defect in the convening or conduct of a meeting of the Board\nor a committee;\n(g) there being a vacancy in the membership of the Board or a\ncommittee;\n(h) the fact that a person who purported to be a member of the\nBoard or a committee, or to be the Chairperson, Deputy\nChairperson or chief executive, was not a member of the\nBoard or committee or was not the Chairperson, Deputy\nChairperson or chief executive;\n(i) a contravention of or failure to comply with section 22 or 23.\nDivision 3 Staff etc.\n29 Appointment of staff\n(1) The Board may appoint the officers and employ or engage the\nemployees it considers necessary for the purposes of DKA.\n(2) The terms and conditions of appointment, employment or\nengagement of the staff are to be determined by the Board.\n30 Appointment and responsibilities of chief executive\n(1) The Board must appoint in writing a person to be the chief\nexecutive of DKA.\n\nPart 3 Administration\nDivision 4 Committees\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 15\n(2) The chief executive:\n(a) is responsible to the Board for the management and\nadministration of DKA; and\n(b) must perform the functions imposed on him or her under this\nAct or another Act.\n(3) In performing his or her functions and exercising his or her powers,\nthe chief executive:\n(a) must act in accordance with the decisions of the Board; and\n(b) is subject to the directions of the Board.\n31 Powers of chief executive\nThe chief executive has power to do all things that are necessary or\nconvenient to be done for or incidental to the proper management\nand administration of DKA and the proper performance of his or her\nfunctions.\n32 Consultants may be engaged\nThe Board may engage consultants and make arrangements for the\nprovision of advice and services as it considers necessary for the\npurposes of DKA.\nDivision 4 Committees\n33 Committees of Board\nThe Board may establish the committees it considers necessary to\nperform its functions and exercise its powers.\n34 Composition of committees\n(1) A committee is to be composed of at least 3 persons appointed by\nthe Board.\n(2) The Board is not required to appoint any of its members or a\nmember of the staff to be a member of a committee.\n35 Procedure of committees\n(1) Unless otherwise prescribed, the procedures of a committee are to\nbe determined by the committee.\n(2) A committee must keep a record of its proceedings and all its\ndecisions made during the course of its proceedings.\n\nPart 4 Finance, property, reports and audit\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 16\nDivision 5 Desert Knowledge Australia Precinct\n36 Declaration of precinct\n(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare an area, or 2 or\nmore non-contiguous areas, in the Territory to be the Desert\nKnowledge Australia Precinct.\n(2) The notice must include a description of the area or areas declared\nto be the precinct.\n37 Purpose of precinct\nThe precinct is the principal place where the affairs and operations\nof DKA are to be located, managed and conducted.\nDivision 6 Societies of participants and associates\n38 Setting up of societies\nThe Board must:\n(a) set up a society or societies of participants and a society or\nsocieties of associates; and\n(b) do all things it considers appropriate to promote the societies\nand attract members to the societies.\n39 Fees\nThe Board may charge and collect an annual fee for membership of\na society of participants or associates as it considers appropriate.\nPart 4 Finance, property, reports and audit\n40 Money of DKA\nThe money of DKA consists of:\n(a) money that is appropriated for its purposes;\n(b) dividends on shares owned by DKA;\n(c) interest on the investment of money of DKA;\n(d) proceeds from the sale or other disposition of property and\ninvestments of DKA;\n(e) money received as grants; and\n\nPart 4 Finance, property, reports and audit\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 17\n(f) any other money that from time to time becomes available for\nuse by DKA.\n41 Application of money\nThe money of DKA is only to be applied:\n(a) by or with the authority of the Board; and\n(b) for the purposes of DKA.\n42 ADI accounts\nDKA must open and maintain an account or accounts with one or\nmore ADIs as it considers necessary for the conduct of its affairs.\n43 Proper accounts to be kept etc.\n(1) The Board must ensure:\n(a) proper accounts and records of the transactions and affairs of\nDKA are kept;\n(b) there are adequate controls over the incurring of liabilities by\nDKA;\n(c) all payments out of the money of DKA are correctly made and\nproperly authorised; and\n(d) adequate control is maintained over the property of or in the\ncustody, control and management of DKA.\n(2) In keeping its accounts and records and making reports under this\nAct, DKA must, to the extent necessary, comply with the accounting\nstandards within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 as if it\nwere a company within the meaning of that Act.\n44 Gifts etc. and trust funds\n(1) DKA may agree to and carry out the conditions of a gift, grant,\nbequest, devise, purchase or any other means of conveyance or\ntransfer by which it acquires, holds and uses property for its\npurposes.\n(2) DKA may create and administer a trust fund or trust funds for any\npurpose relating to the performance of its functions that it considers\nappropriate, including acquiring or holding property.\n\nPart 4 Finance, property, reports and audit\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 18\n45 Investment\n(1) Subject to this section and the approval of the Treasurer, the Board\nmay invest the money of DKA or other money held by or in the\ncustody, management or control of DKA.\n(2) The money of DKA (including money held on trust or subject to a\ncondition) is not to be invested by the Board unless invested in a\nclass of investments approved by the Treasurer.\n(3) The Board must not invest money if doing so would:\n(a) be inconsistent with a trust; or\n(b) constitute a breach of a condition under which the money was\nacquired.\n46 Provision of financial information to Treasurer\n(1) The Treasurer may at any time request the chief executive to\nprovide the Treasurer with the information that the Treasurer\nconsiders will enable him or her to accurately assess the financial\naffairs of DKA.\n(2) Information to be provided to the Treasurer under subsection (1)\nincludes information about the following:\n(a) financial investments by DKA in bodies corporate, trusts,\npartnerships and joint ventures;\n(b) contingent liabilities of DKA;\n(c) guarantees given by DKA.\n(3) The chief executive must comply with the Treasurer's request.\n47 Annual report and audit of report\n(1) At the end of each financial year, the Board must prepare a report\non the operations and performance of DKA during the financial\nyear.\n(2) The report is to include:\n(a) a financial statement in respect of the financial year prepared\nin the form approved by the Treasurer;\n(b) the information specified in section 46(2); and\n(c) any other information requested by the Treasurer.\n\nPart 5 By-laws\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 19\n(3) The Board must forward a copy of the report to the Minister and to\nthe Auditor-General by 30 September following the end of the\nfinancial year.\n(4) By 30 November following the end of the financial year:\n(a) the Auditor-General must audit the financial statement\ncontained in the report received under subsection (3) and\nreport on the statement to the Minister; and\n(b) the Minister must lay before the Legislative Assembly a copy\nof the report received under subsection (3) and the report of\nthe Auditor-General received under paragraph (a).\nPart 5 By-laws\n48 Definitions\nIn this Part:\nmotor vehicle has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicles\nAct 1949.\nsite means:\n(a) land, a building or a part of land or a building in the precinct; or\n(b) land, a building or a part of land or a building outside the\nprecinct (but in the Territory) that is under the control or\nmanagement of DKA.\nvehicle means any means of transport whether self-propelled or\nnot and whether used on land or sea or in the air.\n49 Power to make by-laws\n(1) The Board may make by-laws relating to the management of the\nprecinct and land and buildings of or under the control or\nmanagement of DKA that is or are outside the precinct (but only in\nrespect of land or a building in the Territory or a matter that is\nconnected with the Territory).\n(2) The Board may not make a by-law that is inconsistent with this Act,\nor any other Act or any regulations, or that is unlawful.\n\nPart 5 By-laws\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 20\n50 Subject matter of by-laws\n(1) The By-laws may provide for any of the following:\n(a) the establishment, management or control of cultural centres,\nlibraries or museums on a site;\n(b) the establishment, management or control of halls of\nresidence or other accommodation on a site;\n(c) the regulation or prohibition of access to or use of a site;\n(d) the regulation or prohibition of the conduct of persons on a\nsite;\n(e) the regulation or prohibition of the presence or use of vehicles\nand animals on a site;\n(f) speed limits for riding or driving vehicles on a site;\n(g) the removal impounding or disposal of vehicles or animals\nreferred to in paragraph (e);\n(h) offences in relation to the use of motor vehicles, including\noffences for:\n(i) bringing a vehicle onto or parking or standing a vehicle\non a site in breach of a by-law;\n(ii) driving a vehicle on a site in breach of a by-law;\n(iii) driving a vehicle on a site at a speed in excess of a\nspeed fixed by a by-law;\n(iv) driving a vehicle on a site contrary to a direction,\nwhether given by a traffic control device on the site or by\na person authorised by a by-law to do so; and\n(v) doing any other prescribed act on a site;\n(i) penalties not exceeding 2 penalty units for an offence against\nthe By-laws.\n(2) A by-law may provide for matters of regulation or prohibition, either\nabsolutely or conditionally or in relation to a class of acts, matters or\nthings or a situation or other circumstance.\n(3) A by-law may:\n(a) authorise a member of the staff or a committee to do an act or\nthing; or\n\nPart 5 By-laws\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 21\n(b) provide that an act or thing is to be done with the approval, or\nat the direction, of a member of the staff or a committee.\n51 Application of by-laws\n(1) A by-law may be limited in its application:\n(a) to a specified site; or\n(b) in relation to a specified class of persons or circumstances.\n(2) The Board may, in the manner prescribed by the Regulations,\nsuspend the application of a by-law:\n(a) for a specified period;\n(b) to a specified site; or\n(c) in relation to a specified class of persons or circumstances.\n52 Liability of owner of motor vehicle\n(1) Subject to this section, if an offence against the By-laws relating to\na motor vehicle is allegedly committed and the name of the offender\nis not ascertained, the owner of the motor vehicle at the time the\noffence occurs is, whether or not the owner in fact committed the\noffence:\n(a) taken to have committed the offence; and\n(b) if a notice of infringement is issued in relation to the\ncommission of the offence – to be issued the notice of\ninfringement.\n(2) The owner of a motor vehicle is not taken to have committed an\noffence if:\n(a) the motor vehicle was, at the time of the offence, stolen or\nunlawfully used without the owner's consent;\n(b) the motor vehicle is registered under the Motor Vehicles\nAct 1949 and at the time of the offence:\n(i) the owner had sold or disposed of the motor vehicle but\nthe registration of the motor vehicle had not been\ntransferred to the new owner; and\n(ii) the owner had provided the Registrar, within the\nmeaning of the Motor Vehicles Act 1949, with a notice of\ndisposal in respect of the motor vehicle as required by\nsection 20 of that Act; or\n\nPart 5 By-laws\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 22\n(c) within 14 days after the owner is, in relation to the alleged\noffence, served or issued with:\n(i) a notice of infringement;\n(ii) a summons; or\n(iii) any other document dealing with the recovery or\nenforcement of a penalty for an offence that may be\nserved or issued under an Act,\nthe owner delivers to the Board a statutory declaration made\nby the owner:\n(iv) stating that some other person was in control of the\nmotor vehicle at the time the offence was allegedly\ncommitted and setting out the name and address of that\nother person and any other information known to the\nowner that may assist in identifying or locating that other\nperson;\n(v) stating that the motor vehicle was sold before the\noffence was allegedly committed and setting out the date\nof the sale, the name and address of the person to\nwhom it was sold and, if the sale was made through an\nagent, the name and address of the agent; or\n(vi) stating that at the time when the offence was allegedly\ncommitted the motor vehicle had been stolen or was\nbeing used unlawfully without the owner's consent.\n(3) If the owner of the motor vehicle is a body corporate, a director,\nsecretary or manager of the body corporate may make a statutory\ndeclaration for the purposes of subsection (2).\n(4) If the owner of the motor vehicle is the Territory, the\nCommonwealth, a State or another Territory of the Commonwealth\nor a statutory corporation, a person authorised, or apparently\nauthorised, for the purpose may make a statutory declaration for\nthe purposes of subsection (2).\n(5) A person named in a statutory declaration as being in control of a\nmotor vehicle at the time of an alleged offence cannot be found\nguilty of the offence unless a copy of the statutory declaration is\naffixed to the summons for the offence at the time the summons is\nserved on the person.\n\nPart 5 By-laws\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 23\n(6) If a person is specified as the new owner of a motor vehicle in a\nnotice of disposal referred to in subsection (2)(b)(ii):\n(a) the person is taken to be the owner of the motor vehicle at the\ntime of the offence for the purposes of this section (other than\nsubsection (2)(b)); and\n(b) this section applies as if a reference to the owner of the motor\nvehicle (other than in subsection (2)(b)) were a reference to\nthe person.\n(7) A statutory declaration referred to in subsection (2)(c):\n(a) is admissible in evidence in a prosecution against the person\nin relation to the offence; and\n(b) is evidence that the person was the driver of the motor vehicle\nat the time of the offence.\n(8) Subject to subsection (9), this section does not affect the liability of\nan actual offender who is not the owner of the motor vehicle.\n(9) If a penalty has been imposed on a person in relation to an offence\nreferred to in this section:\n(a) another person cannot be charged with the same offence; and\n(b) a further penalty cannot be imposed on or recovered from\nanother person in relation to the same offence.\n53 Evidence of ownership of motor vehicle\nIn a prosecution for an offence against the By-laws, a certificate\nthat is issued by a person authorised to issue the certificate under\nan Act (including an Act of the Commonwealth or a State or another\nTerritory of the Commonwealth) and that states:\n(a) that a specified person was the registered owner of a specified\nmotor vehicle on a specified date;\n(b) that a specified person was recorded as the new owner of a\nspecified motor vehicle on and from a specified date in a\nrecord of a notice of disposal in respect of the motor vehicle;\nor\n(c) if the specified motor vehicle is not registered at the time of\nissuing the certificate – that a specified person was the last\nregistered owner of the motor vehicle to and including a\nspecified date,\n\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 24\nis evidence of the matters set out in the certificate and a court must\nassume that the certificate was duly issued.\n54 Recovery of penalties imposed under By-laws\n(1) If a penalty is imposed on a person as a result of a prosecution for\nan offence committed against a by-law, or an amount is payable by\na person instead of a penalty that may otherwise be imposed for an\noffence committed against a by-law, the penalty or amount may be\nrecovered as a debt due and payable to DKA by the person.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the application of the Fines and\nPenalties (Recovery) Act 2001.\n55 Section 57 of Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply to By-laws\nSection 57 of the Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply to the\nBy-laws.\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n56 Protection from liability\n(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been:\n(a) a member;\n(b) a member of a committee; or\n(c) a member of the staff.\n(2) The person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or\nomitted to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise or\npurported exercise of a power, or the performance or purported\nperformance of a function, under this Act.\n(3) In addition, the person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act\ndone or omitted to be done by DKA, the Board or a committee in\nthe exercise or purported exercise of a power, or the performance\nor purported performance of a function, under this Act.\n(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not affect any liability the Territory or\nDKA would, apart from those subsections, have for an act or\nomission.\n\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 25\n57 Form and execution of documents by DKA\n(1) A deed, instrument, contract or agreement relating to any property\nor matter that, if made or executed by an individual, would by law\nbe required to be in writing under seal may be made on behalf of\nDKA in writing under its common seal.\n(2) An instrument, contract or agreement relating to any property or\nmatter that, if made by or between individuals, would be required to\nbe in writing signed by the parties to it may be made or entered into\non behalf of DKA in writing by a person acting under the authority,\nexpress or implied, of the Board.\n(3) A contract relating to any property or matter that, if made between\nindividuals, would by law be valid although made or entered into by\nparole only and not reduced to writing may be made on behalf of\nDKA by a person acting under the authority, express or implied, of\nthe Board.\n(4) A contract entered into or an instrument, contract or agreement\nsigned in relation to any property or obligation of DKA is taken to\nhave been entered into or signed with the express authority of the\nBoard if it is entered into or signed in accordance with a resolution\nof the Board.\n58 Proof of resolutions of Board etc.\n(1) The minutes of a meeting of the Board, or a document purporting to\nbe a true copy of or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the\nBoard and signed by the Chairperson, may be received in a court or\na tribunal or by a person acting judicially as evidence of the\nparticulars contained in the minutes without further proof.\n(2) In any proceedings, the production of:\n(a) a copy of a by-law purporting to be certified as a true copy of\nthe by-law and signed by the Chairperson;\n(b) the minutes of the meeting of the Board at which the Board\nmade the by-law or a copy of a document purporting to be a\ntrue copy of or an extract from the minutes of that meeting and\nsigned by the Chairperson; and\n(c) the Gazette in which notification of the making of the by-law is\npublished,\nis conclusive evidence of the by-law having been made and the\ncontents of the by-law.\n\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 26\n(3) In any proceedings, the production of the following is conclusive\nevidence of the suspension of the application of a by-law under\nsection 51(2):\n(a) the minutes of the meeting of the Board at which the\napplication of the by-law was suspended or a copy of a\ndocument purporting to be a true copy of or an extract from\nthe minutes of that meeting and signed by the Chairperson;\n(b) a copy of a notice (if any) required by the Regulations to be\ngiven of the suspension.\n59 Regulations\n(1) The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this\nAct, prescribing matters:\n(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or\n(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or\ngiving effect to this Act.\n(2) The Regulations may provide for any of the following:\n(a) the use or custody of the common seal of DKA;\n(b) the manner of holding or adjourning meetings of the Board;\n(c) the quorum, procedures, powers or functions of committees;\n(d) the manner in which the Board may suspend the application of\na by-law;\n(e) review of or appeal against decisions made under the\nBy-laws;\n(f) penalties not exceeding 100 penalty units or, where offences\nare committed by bodies corporate, 500 penalty units for\noffences against the Regulations;\n(g) the payment of a prescribed amount instead of a penalty that\nmay otherwise be imposed for an offence against the By-laws\nor the Regulations and for the service of a notice relating to\npayment of the amount on a person alleged to have\ncommitted the offence and the particulars to be included in the\nnotice;\n(h) the designation of an offence against the By-laws or the\nRegulations as a regulatory offence.\n\nENDNOTES\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 27\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nDesert Knowledge Australia Act 2003 (Act No. 30, 2003)\nAssent date 26 June 2003\nCommenced 22 September 2003 (Gaz S19, 22 September 2003)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 48, 52, 54 and 55.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\npt 7 hdg exp No. 30, 2003, s 68\nss 60 – 68 exp No. 30, 2003, s 68","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"circular_definition","section":"sections 4, 13(2), 14, 25(4), and 38","severity":"high","reasoning":"Section 4 defines a participant as a member of a society set up under section 38. Section 38 requires the Board to set up that society. Sections 13(2) and 14(2) require half the Board’s members to be appointed from participant nominations. Section 25(4) prevents a Board meeting without both a participant-nominated member and another member. The supplied provisions therefore provide no workable initial path for creating participants and constituting the Board.","confidence":0.98,"description":"The initial constitution of the Board is circular. Half its members must be nominated by participants, but a participant must belong to a society established by the Board. The Board cannot meet to establish that society without members, including a participant-nominated member.","source_quotes":["Half the members are to be persons nominated by participants in\naccordance with section 14.","who or which is a member of a society of participants set up under\nsection 38.","The Board must:\n(a) set up a society or societies of participants and a society or\nsocieties of associates;"]}],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original intent as stated in the long title and objects clause. It establishes the corporation, sets up governance, provides for a physical precinct, and enables by-law making – all clearly aimed at facilitating desert knowledge and sustainable development. No significant scope creep is evident in this version."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with 6 Parts and clear divisions (Board, Staff, Committees, Precinct, Finance, By-laws)","14 defined terms in section 4, mostly standard corporate governance terms","Some conditional logic in Board composition (section 13) with mathematical rounding rules for 'half the members'","Nested exceptions in Part 5 regarding motor vehicle offences (sections 52-53) with multiple defences and evidentiary rules","Cross-references to Corporations Act 2001, Motor Vehicles Act 1949, and Interpretation Act 1978, but these are limited and explicit","Treasurer approval required for significant financial decisions (borrowing, investing, property disposal) creating conditional gates","Standard statutory corporation provisions (seal, legal capacity, delegation) without unusual twists"],"plain_english_summary":"Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) is created as a statutory body to improve life in desert and arid regions through research, education and sustainable economic development. It establishes a physical Desert Knowledge precinct, a governing Board with guaranteed Aboriginal representation, powers to run commercial activities and make local by‑laws, and membership networks for participants.\n\nThe Act mainly affects desert communities (especially in the NT), Indigenous organisations, researchers, businesses and precinct visitors by providing a tailored legal framework for locally led, sustainable solutions."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No substantive narrowing or broadening of the Act's core scope is evident in the provided text. Endnotes record formal amendments to certain sections (see Endnote 3: formal amendments to ss48, 52, 54 and 55) and expiry entries (Endnote 4), but the principal purpose—to establish and empower DKA and set governance, financial and by-law regimes—remains as enacted."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed governance and appointment rules, including mandatory Aboriginal representation and nomination processes (ss12–18, 13–16).","Ministerial oversight and direction with compulsory tabling of directions (s9) creating executive discretion over Board activity.","Treasurer approvals required for major financial transactions (purchase/sale of property, borrowing, loans, investments, joint ventures, franchises) which layers fiscal control over commercial powers (s7(b),(h)–(l); s45).","Comprehensive financial controls, reporting and audit obligations, including provision of detailed financial information to the Treasurer and audited annual reports (ss40–47).","Wide statutory powers to act commercially (contracts, intellectual property, fees, trusts) coupled with a competitive neutrality requirement for commercial activity (s7; s8(2)(d)).","Power to make by-laws with enforcement mechanisms, owner liability for vehicle offences, and penalties (Part 5, ss49–54).","Delegation and validity clauses that sustain acts despite procedural defects, increasing operational resilience but broadening administrative discretion (ss27–28).","Exclusion from the Corporations Act regime (s10) which alters the regulatory and compliance framework that would otherwise apply.","Conflicts-of-interest disclosure and incapacity/removal rules for members create ongoing compliance obligations (ss22–23, 20).","Liability protections for members, committee members and staff for acts done in good faith, limiting personal exposure but not territorial or DKA liability (s56)."],"plain_english_summary":"Establishes Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) as a statutory corporation to promote education, research, training and sustainable economic development in deserts and arid lands. It gives DKA broad commercial powers and creates a Board with required Aboriginal membership; the Minister can issue written directions (s9) and the Treasurer must approve major financial actions (ss7,45).\n\nThe Territory funds and oversees DKA; the Board manages operations. Researchers, businesses and local communities who engage with DKA will face its governance, reporting, by‑laws and fee rules."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003","history":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/desert-knowledge-australia-act-2003/documents"}}