NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS ACT 2001
As in force at 10 February 2026
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Objective.......................................................................................... 1
3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1
Part 2 Establishment of Government owned
corporations
4 Objectives of Government owned corporation ................................. 3
5 Status of Government owned corporations ..................................... 3
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government
owned corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
6 Corporations legislation ................................................................... 3
7 Share capital, shares and shareholder ............................................ 4
7A Shareholding Minister ...................................................................... 4
9 Delegation by shareholding Minister................................................ 4
10 Portfolio Minister .............................................................................. 5
11 Constitution of Government owned corporations ............................. 5
12 Committees ..................................................................................... 6
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
13 Directors of Government owned corporations ................................. 7
14 Acting directors ................................................................................ 7
15 Accountability of directors of Government owned corporations ....... 8
16 Chief executive officer ..................................................................... 8
17 Acting chief executive officer ......................................................... 10
18 Chairperson ................................................................................... 10
19 Deputy chairperson ....................................................................... 11
19A Interim arrangements for new Government owned
corporations ................................................................................... 11
20 Duties and liabilities of directors and other officers........................ 11
21 Government owned corporation not to indemnify officers .............. 12
23 Termination of appointments ......................................................... 12
24 Remuneration ................................................................................ 13
25 Vacancy in office of director of corporation .................................... 13
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 ii
26 Disclosure of interests by directors ................................................ 14
27 Delegation by board ...................................................................... 15
Division 3 Public interest requirements
28 Community service obligations ...................................................... 15
29 Shareholding Minister may notify board of public sector
policies .......................................................................................... 16
30 Shareholding Minister may give directions in public interest.......... 17
Division 4 Financial matters
31 Dividends ....................................................................................... 17
32 Capital structure ............................................................................ 18
33 Tax ................................................................................................ 19
34 Government guarantee .................................................................. 19
35 Borrowings..................................................................................... 20
36 Procurement .................................................................................. 20
37 Investments by Government owned corporations.......................... 21
38 Disposal of investments ................................................................. 22
Part 4 Accountability
Division 1 Statements of corporate intent
39 Statement of corporate intent – timetable and procedure .............. 22
40 Statement of corporate intent – contents ....................................... 24
41 Statement of corporate intent – reporting ...................................... 24
Division 2 Audit, reporting and provision of information
42 Corporation to provide financial statements to Auditor-General .... 25
43 Auditor-General to audit financial statements etc. ......................... 25
44 Annual reports and accounts ......................................................... 26
45 Auditor-General to conduct audits ................................................. 26
46 Special audits ................................................................................ 27
47 Other information to be provided ................................................... 27
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government
owned corporations
48 Interpretation ................................................................................. 28
49 Objects of Part ............................................................................... 28
50 General powers of Government owned corporations .................... 28
51 Restrictions on Government owned corporations .......................... 29
51A Business or trading names ............................................................ 30
52 Assumptions that may be made in dealings with Government
owned corporations or property ..................................................... 31
53 Fraud does not necessarily invalidate assumptions ...................... 31
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 iii
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned
corporations
Division 1 Preliminary matters
53A Definitions ...................................................................................... 32
Division 2 Transfer regulations
53B Transfer regulations....................................................................... 33
53C Internal instruments may be included as transferable
instruments .................................................................................... 35
53D Transfer regulations effective despite other Acts ........................... 36
53E Effect of transfer regulations – contravention of laws, civil
wrongs, etc. ................................................................................... 36
53F Effect of transfer regulations – transferable instruments ............... 36
53G Effect of transfer regulations – joint ownership and joint liability .... 37
Division 3 General provisions relating to transfers
53H Completion of necessary transactions ........................................... 37
53J Arrangements for custody and use of records ............................... 37
53K Notification and registration of transfer .......................................... 38
53L Territory taxes................................................................................ 39
Division 4 Correction orders
53M Application of Division ................................................................... 39
53N Definitions ...................................................................................... 40
53P Meaning of error ............................................................................ 40
53Q Minister may make correction order .............................................. 40
53R Correction order............................................................................. 40
53S Application of Part to correction order ........................................... 41
Division 5 Miscellaneous matters
53T Ministerial directions ...................................................................... 41
53U Protection from liability .................................................................. 42
Part 6 Miscellaneous
53V Inconsistency with constituting Act ................................................ 42
54 Service of notices .......................................................................... 43
55 Transitional matters relating to Crown immunity ............................ 43
56 Regulations.................................................................................... 44
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 iv
Part 7 Transitional matters for Power and Water
Corporation Legislation Amendment Act
2014
57 Continuation of CEOs appointed by Administrator ........................ 44
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
As in force at 10 February 2026
GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS ACT 2001
An act to provide for the establishment and operation of territory owned
enterprises as government owned corporations
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Government Owned Corporations
Act 2001.
2 Objective
The objective of this Act is to provide a basis:
(a) for improved performance by Government owned businesses;
and
(b) for greater sustainable financial returns to the Territory on its
investment in those businesses,
by providing a framework of greater autonomy combined with
appropriate accountability of government businesses.
3 Definitions
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
apply, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
asset, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
chairperson, in relation to a Government owned corporation,
means the person appointed under section 18 to be the chairperson
of the corporation and includes a deputy chairperson while acting
as the chairperson under section 19.
chief executive officer, in relation to a Government owned
corporation, means the person appointed under section 16 to be
the chief executive officer of the corporation and includes a person
acting as the chief executive officer under section 17.
Part 1 Preliminary
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 2
commenced regulations, for Part 5A, Division 4, see section 53N.
constituting Act, for a Government owned corporation, means the
Act by which it is established or continued.
director, in relation to a Government owned corporation, means a
director of the corporation under section 13 and includes a person
acting as a director under section 14.
error, for Part 5A, Division 4, see section 53P.
Government owned corporation means a statutory corporation
that is declared to be a Government owned corporation by its
constituting Act.
liability, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
non-executive director, of a Government owned corporation,
means:
(a) if the chief executive officer of a Government owned
corporation is a director – a director other than the chief
executive officer; or
(b) otherwise – a director.
officer, in relation to a Government owned corporation, means:
(a) a director of the Government owned corporation; or
(b) the chief executive officer of the Government owned
corporation; or
(c) any other person who is concerned, or takes part, in the
Government owned corporation's management.
portfolio Minister, of a Government owned corporation, see
section 10.
relevant entity, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
shareholding Minister, of a Government owned corporation, see
section 7A.
subsidiary means a body corporate that is a subsidiary of a
Government owned corporation as determined in accordance with
the Corporations Act 2001.
transfer date, for Part 5A, Division 4, see section 53N.
transfer regulations, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 3
transferable instrument, for Part 5A, see section 53A.
Part 2 Establishment of Government owned
corporations
4 Objectives of Government owned corporation
The objectives of a Government owned corporation are:
(a) to operate at least as efficiently as any comparable business;
and
(b) to maximise the sustainable return to the Territory on its
investment in the corporation.
5 Status of Government owned corporations
(1) A Government owned corporation or subsidiary:
(a) is not within the shield of the Crown; and
(b) does not represent the Territory except by express agreement
in writing with the shareholding Minister of the Government
owned corporation; and
(c) cannot render the Territory liable for the debts, liabilities or
obligations of the Government owned corporation or any of its
subsidiaries.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if this Act or another Act expressly
provides otherwise.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned
corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
6 Corporations legislation
(1) A Government owned corporation is declared to be an excluded
matter for the purposes of section 5F of the Corporations Act 2001
in relation to the whole of the Corporations legislation to which
Part 1.1A of that Act applies.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the Regulations may declare that a matter
relating to a Government owned corporation is an applied
Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of Part 4 of the
Corporations Reform (Northern Territory) Act 2001 in relation to an
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 4
excluded Corporations legislation provision or provisions, with the
modifications, additions, exceptions, omissions or substitutions that
are specified in the Regulations.
7 Share capital, shares and shareholder
(1) A Government owned corporation is to have a share capital and
shares as provided in its constitution.
(2) All of the shares in the Government owned corporation must be
held by the shareholding Minister of the Government owned
corporation.
(3) The shareholding Minister holds the shares in the Government
owned corporation on behalf of the Territory.
(4) A Government owned corporation is to maintain a register that
identifies the Government owned corporation's current shareholding
Minister.
7A Shareholding Minister
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation is:
(a) the Treasurer; or
(b) if another minister is nominated under subsection (2) – the
other minister.
(2) The Chief Minister may, in writing, nominate a minister to be the
shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation.
(3) The Chief Minister:
(a) may nominate a minister by name or by reference to a
Ministerial office; and
(b) may nominate himself or herself; and
(c) must not nominate the minister who is the Government owned
corporation's portfolio Minister.
9 Delegation by shareholding Minister
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
delegate to a minister any of his or her powers and functions under
this Act.
(2) A delegation:
(a) is to be in writing; and
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 5
(b) cannot be made to the Government owned corporation's
portfolio Minister.
10 Portfolio Minister
(1) The portfolio Minister of a Government owned corporation is:
(a) the minister administering the Government owned
corporation's constituting Act; or
(b) if another minister is nominated under subsection (2) – that
other minister.
(2) The Chief Minister may, in writing, nominate a minister to be the
portfolio Minister of a Government owned corporation.
(3) The Chief Minister:
(a) may nominate a minister by name or by reference to a
Ministerial office; and
(b) may nominate himself or herself; and
(c) cannot nominate the minister who is the Government owned
corporation's shareholding Minister.
11 Constitution of Government owned corporations
(1) A Government owned corporation is to have a constitution
approved by the Government owned corporation's shareholding
Minister under subsection (3).
(2) A Government owned corporation, or a unit of administration that is
to become a Government owned corporation, may submit a
proposed constitution, or a proposed amendment to a constitution,
to its shareholding Minister.
(3) The shareholding Minister may approve a proposed constitution, or
an amendment to a constitution, submitted to the shareholding
Minister under subsection (2).
(4) A proposed constitution, or an amendment to a constitution,
submitted to the shareholding Minister under subsection (2) comes
into effect from the date on which it is approved by the shareholding
Minister or a later date specified in the approval.
(5) The constitution of a Government owned corporation is, subject to
this Act, to have, as far as practicable, the same operation and
effect in relation to the Government owned corporation as the
constitution of a company has in relation to the company.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 1 Structure of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 6
(6) The constitution of a Government owned corporation may contain
matters that for a company would be found in the Corporations
Act 2001.
(7) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
issue guidelines in relation to the contents of the Government
owned corporation's constitution.
(8) The constitution may contain provisions other than those referred to
in subsection (6) or (7) if the provisions are not inconsistent with a
provision of this Act or of another Act.
(9) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation
must table in the Legislative Assembly a copy of the constitution, or
an amendment to the constitution, of the Government owned
corporation within 6 sitting days after the date on which the
constitution or amendment came into effect.
(10) In this section:
shareholding Minister, for a unit of administration that is to
become a Government owned corporation, means the minister who
will be the shareholding Minister when the unit becomes a
Government owned corporation.
12 Committees
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation:
(a) must establish an audit committee; and
(b) may establish other committees as it thinks fit.
(2) A committee:
(a) must provide the board of a Government owned corporation
with advice on any matter referred to it by the board; and
(b) must exercise the powers and perform the functions delegated
to it by the board.
(3) The chief executive officer of a Government owned corporation may
not be a member of the corporation's audit committee.
(4) The chairperson of a Government owned corporation's audit
committee must be a non-executive director of the corporation.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 7
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
13 Directors of Government owned corporations
(1) There is to be a board of directors for a Government owned
corporation.
(2) The Government owned corporation's constitution must specify:
(a) the number of directors, which must include at least
2 non-executive directors; and
(b) whether or not the chief executive officer is a director.
(5) The Administrator may appoint a person to be a non-executive
director of the Government owned corporation.
(6) The Administrator may at any time terminate an appointment under
subsection (5).
(7) An appointment or termination of an appointment may only be
made under subsection (5) or (6) on the recommendation of the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister.
Note for subsection (7)
Subsection (7) is not intended to affect the application of section 34(1) of the
Interpretation Act, which requires the Administrator to act on the advice of the
Executive Council.
(8) The directors of the Government owned corporation appointed
under subsection (5) are to be appointed to the board having regard
to the expertise necessary for the corporation to achieve its
objectives.
(9) The appointment of a director of the Government owned
corporation under subsection (5) remains in force for the period, of
less than 4 years, determined by the Administrator.
14 Acting directors
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
appoint a person to be an acting director of the Government owned
corporation.
(2) In the absence of a non-executive director of the Government
owned corporation, the acting director:
(a) is, if available, to act in the place of the director; and
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 8
(b) while acting as director, has all the functions of the director
and is taken to be a director of the Government owned
corporation.
(3) The shareholding Minister may at any time terminate an
appointment under subsection (1).
15 Accountability of directors of Government owned corporations
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation is responsible for
the operation of the corporation.
(2) The board of a Government owned corporation is accountable to
the Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister for the
financial performance of the corporation.
(3) If the board of a Government owned corporation forms the opinion
that matters have arisen:
(a) that may prevent, or significantly affect, achievement of the
objectives of the Government owned corporation and its
subsidiaries in the corporation's statement of corporate intent;
or
(b) that may prevent, or significantly affect, achievement of the
targets in the corporation's statement of corporate intent,
the board must immediately notify the Government owned
corporation's shareholding Minister of its opinion and the reasons
for the opinion.
16 Chief executive officer
(1) There is to be a chief executive officer for a Government owned
corporation.
(2) The Government owned corporation's board must appoint a person
to be the chief executive officer.
(2A) The person appointed cannot be the chairperson or deputy
chairperson of the board.
(3) The board may terminate the appointment at any time.
(4) An appointment or termination may be made only after consultation
with the Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 9
(4A) The chief executive officer holds office:
(a) for the period, of less than 4 years, specified in the
appointment; and
(b) on the terms and conditions (including as to remuneration and
allowances) agreed by the board and the shareholding
Minister.
(5) The chief executive officer of a Government owned corporation is,
subject to the directions of the board of the corporation, responsible
for the day to day management of the operation of the corporation.
(6) The chief executive officer of a Government owned corporation
may, subject to the directions of the board of the corporation,
delegate any of his or her powers and functions under this or any
other Act to an employee of the Government owned corporation.
(7) A person ceases to be the chief executive of a Government owned
corporation:
(a) if the person dies; or
(b) if the person completes a term of office and is not reappointed;
or
(c) if the person resigns by letter to the board; or
(d) if the person's appointment is terminated by the board; or
(e) if the person becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of
any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors,
compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment
of his or her remuneration for their benefit; or
(f) if the person is:
(i) convicted in the Territory of an offence that is punishable
by imprisonment for 12 months or more; or
(ii) convicted elsewhere than in the Territory of an offence
that, if committed in the Territory, would be an offence
punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more; or
(iii) disqualified under Part 2D.6 of the Corporations
Act 2001 from managing a corporation; or
(g) in the circumstances set out in the Government owned
corporation's constitution.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 10
17 Acting chief executive officer
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation may appoint a
person to act as chief executive officer during a period, or during all
periods, when:
(a) the chief executive officer is, or is expected to be, absent from
office or unable to exercise his or her powers or perform his or
her functions under this or any other Act; or
(b) there is a vacancy in the office of chief executive officer.
(1A) The person appointed cannot be the chairperson or deputy
chairperson of the board.
(2) The board may terminate the appointment at any time.
(3) An appointment or termination may be made only after consultation
with the Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister.
(4) An acting chief executive officer has all the powers and functions of
the chief executive officer under this or any other Act.
18 Chairperson
(1) There is to be a chairperson for each Government owned
corporation.
(2) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
appoint a non-executive director to be chairperson of the board of
the Government owned corporation.
(3) The shareholding Minister may at any time terminate an
appointment under subsection (2).
(4) The chairperson of a Government owned corporation vacates office
as chairperson if:
(a) the appointment of the person as chairperson is terminated
under subsection (3);
(b) the person resigns the office of chairperson by letter
addressed to the shareholding Minister; or
(c) the person vacates the office of director in accordance with
section 25.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 11
19 Deputy chairperson
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
appoint a non-executive director to be the deputy chairperson of the
Government owned corporation.
(2) The shareholding Minister may at any time terminate an
appointment under subsection (1).
(3) The deputy chairperson is to act as the chairperson of the
Government owned corporation during the absence or inability to
act of the chairperson.
(4) The deputy chairperson of a Government owned corporation
vacates office as deputy chairperson if:
(a) the appointment of the person as deputy chairperson is
terminated under subsection (2);
(b) the person resigns the office of deputy chairperson by letter
addressed to the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister; or
(c) the person vacates the office of director in accordance with
section 25.
19A Interim arrangements for new Government owned
corporations
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a new Government owned corporation is established; and
(b) the Government owned corporation's first chief executive
officer has not yet been appointed.
(2) Despite sections 16(2A), 17(1A), 18(2) and 19(1), a person may be:
(a) both chairperson of the board and acting chief executive
officer under section 17(1)(b); or
(b) both deputy chairperson of the board and acting chief
executive officer under section 17(1)(b).
20 Duties and liabilities of directors and other officers
The duties and liabilities of directors that are specified in Part 2D.1
of Chapter 2D of the Corporations Act 2001 are, in relation to the
directors of a Government owned corporation, an applied
Corporations legislation matter for the purposes of Part 4 of the
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 12
Corporations Reform (Northern Territory) Act 2001.
21 Government owned corporation not to indemnify officers
(1) A Government owned corporation must not:
(a) indemnify a person who is or has been an officer of the
Government owned corporation against a liability incurred as
an officer; or
(b) exempt a person who is or has been an officer of the
Government owned corporation from a liability incurred as an
officer.
(2) An instrument is void so far as it provides for the Government
owned corporation to do something that subsection (1) prohibits.
(3) Subsection (1) does not prevent the Government owned
corporation from indemnifying a person against civil liability (other
than a liability to the Government owned corporation or a subsidiary
of the Government owned corporation) unless the liability arises out
of conduct involving a lack of good faith.
(4) Subsection (1) does not prevent the Government owned
corporation from indemnifying a person against a liability for costs
and expenses incurred by the person:
(a) in defending a proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which
judgment is given in favour of the person or in which the
person is acquitted; or
(b) in connection with an application in relation to a proceeding in
which relief is granted to the person by a court.
(5) In this section:
indemnify includes indemnify indirectly through one or more
interposed entities.
23 Termination of appointments
(1) A person who terminates an appointment under this Act is not
required to give a reason for the termination.
(2) A termination of an appointment under this Act takes effect
immediately or from a later date specified by the person who
terminates the appointment.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 13
24 Remuneration
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
determine the remuneration, including travelling and other
allowances to be paid to a non-executive director or an acting
director of the Government owned corporation or a subsidiary.
(2) The shareholding Minister may alter or revoke a determination
under subsection (1) at any time, including after a person becomes
a director or an acting director.
(3) The Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and
Other Entitlements) Act 2006 does not apply in relation to an
appointment under this Act.
25 Vacancy in office of director of corporation
(1) The office of a non-executive director of a Government owned
corporation becomes vacant:
(a) if the director dies; or
(b) if the director completes a term of office and is not re-
appointed; or
(c) if the director resigns the office by letter addressed to the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister; or
(d) if the appointment of the director is terminated under this Act;
or
(e) if the director is absent from 4 consecutive meetings of the
board of which reasonable notice has been given to the
director personally or in the ordinary course of post; or
(f) if the director becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of
any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors,
compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment
of his or her remuneration for their benefit; or
(g) if the director is:
(i) convicted in the Territory of an offence that is punishable
by imprisonment for 12 months or more;
(ii) convicted elsewhere than in the Territory of an offence
that, if committed in the Territory, would be an offence
punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more; or
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Officers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 14
(iii) disqualified under Part 2D.6 of the Corporations
Act 2001 from managing a corporation; or
(h) in the circumstances set out in the constitution of the
Government owned corporation.
(2) Subsection (1)(e) does not apply if the director is absent on leave
granted by the board.
26 Disclosure of interests by directors
(1) If a director of a Government owned corporation has a direct or
indirect interest in a matter being considered, or about to be
considered, by the board of the corporation, the director must
disclose the nature of the interest to a meeting of the board as soon
as practicable after the relevant facts come to the director's
knowledge.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.
(2) The disclosure must be recorded in the board's minutes.
(3) A director who has disclosed an interest under subsection (1):
(a) must not, while the director has the interest, take part after the
disclosure in any deliberation or decision of the board in
relation to the matter in which the director has the interest; and
(b) is to be disregarded for the purpose of constituting a quorum
of the board in relation to the deliberation or decision of the
board in relation to the matter in which the director has the
interest.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a director if the board resolves that
the subsection does not apply to the director.
(5) A director who has disclosed an interest under subsection (1) may
withdraw from the meeting during a period of deliberation or
decision of the board in relation to the matter in which the director
has the interest, even if the board has made a resolution under
subsection (4) in relation to the matter.
(6) The board of a Government owned corporation is to maintain a
register of the interests of the directors of the Government owned
corporation.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 3 Public interest requirements
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 15
27 Delegation by board
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation may, by resolution,
delegate any of its powers and functions to one or more of the
following:
(a) a director of the board;
(b) a committee of the board;
(c) the chief executive officer of the Government owned
corporation;
(d) any other person.
(2) The board of a Government owned corporation is to advise the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister of a
delegation under subsection (1) of a power or function that is, in its
opinion, significant.
Division 3 Public interest requirements
28 Community service obligations
(1) A community service obligation is an activity that:
(a) has an identifiable community or social benefit; and
(b) would not be undertaken if only commercial considerations
applied.
(2) A Government owned corporation and its shareholding Minister
may together agree that the corporation is to undertake a
community service obligation.
(3) A Government owned corporation must not undertake a community
service obligation except:
(a) with the agreement of the shareholding Minister under
subsection (2); or
(b) in accordance with a direction under subsection (4).
(4) The shareholding Minister may direct the Government owned
corporation to undertake, or not to undertake, a community service
obligation.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 3 Public interest requirements
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 16
(5) The shareholding Minister is to ensure that appropriate financial
arrangements are made to enable the corporation to undertake a
community service obligation that it may undertake under this
section.
(5A) The shareholding Minister must consult with the Government
owned corporation's portfolio Minister before exercising a function
under subsection (2), (4) or (5).
(6) If the shareholding Minister is not the Treasurer, the shareholding
Minister must consult with the Treasurer before entering into an
agreement under this section.
(7) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of a direction under subsection (4) within 6 sitting days after
the direction was given.
(8) If:
(a) money is allocated under the Financial Management Act 1995
to a statutory corporation for a matter that is specified to be a
community service obligation in the budget papers tabled in
the Legislative Assembly for a financial year; and
(b) in that financial year the corporation becomes a Government
owned corporation,
the obligation is to be taken to be a community service obligation of
the Government owned corporation to which the Government
owned corporation's shareholding Minister has agreed under this
section.
29 Shareholding Minister may notify board of public sector
policies
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation
may, in writing, notify the board of the Government owned
corporation of a public sector policy that is to apply to the
corporation.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) may only be given:
(a) if the shareholding Minister is satisfied that it is in the public
interest to do so; and
(b) if the shareholding Minister has consulted the Government
owned corporation's portfolio Minister; and
(c) if the shareholding Minister has consulted the board; and
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Financial matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 17
(d) if the shareholding Minister has requested the board to advise
the shareholding Minister whether, in its opinion, complying
with the policy specified in the notice would not be in the best
interests of the Government owned corporation.
(3) The board of the Government owned corporation must ensure that
a policy specified in a notice under subsection (1) to the board is
carried out in relation to the corporation.
(4) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of a notice under subsection (1) within 6 sitting days after the
notice was given.
30 Shareholding Minister may give directions in public interest
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
give the board of the Government owned corporation a direction in
writing in relation to the Government owned corporation.
(2) A direction under subsection (1) may only be given:
(a) if the shareholding Minister is satisfied that it is in the public
interest to do so; and
(b) if the shareholding Minister has consulted the Government
owned corporation's portfolio Minister; and
(c) if the shareholding Minister has consulted the board; and
(d) if the shareholding Minister has requested the board to advise
the shareholding Minister whether, in its opinion, complying
with the direction would not be in the best interests of the
Government owned corporation.
(3) The board of the Government owned corporation must ensure that
a direction given to it in a notice under subsection (1) is carried out
in relation to the Government owned corporation.
(4) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of a notice under subsection (1) within 6 sitting days after the
notice was given.
Division 4 Financial matters
31 Dividends
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation is to declare the
amount of a dividend on the shares of the Government owned
corporation.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Financial matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 18
(2) The Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister may
direct the board of the Government owned corporation to declare a
special dividend on the shares of the corporation.
(3) A dividend declared under subsection (1) or (2) is to be paid into
the Central Holding Authority.
(4) The shareholding Minister may, before the annual financial
statements are finalised, discuss the dividend to be declared under
subsection (1) with the board of the Government owned
corporation.
(5) The board of the Government owned corporation must make a
recommendation to the shareholding Minister as to the amount to
be paid as a dividend.
(6) The shareholding Minister may:
(a) accept the recommendation of the board made under
subsection (5); or
(b) issue a direction specifying that a different amount to that
recommended by the board is to be declared as a dividend.
(7) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of a direction under subsection (2) or (6)(b) within 6 sitting
days after the date on which the direction was given.
(8) Dividends must be paid:
(a) within 60 days after the audited annual financial statements
are completed in each year; or
(b) by 1 December in each year,
whichever is earlier.
32 Capital structure
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
determine or alter the capital structure of the Government owned
corporation.
(2) Before determining or altering the capital structure of the
Government owned corporation, the shareholding Minister must:
(a) consult with the board of the corporation; and
(b) if the shareholding Minister is not the Treasurer – consult with
the Treasurer; and
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Financial matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 19
(c) request the board to advise the shareholding Minister whether
it is of the opinion that the proposed capital structure would
not be in the best interests of the corporation or any of its
subsidiaries.
(3) The board of the Government owned corporation may make a
recommendation to the shareholding Minister as to the capital
structure, including by converting debt to equity, converting equity
to debt, repaying equity, transferring assets and altering the equity
base.
33 Tax
(1) A Government owned corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary
of a Government owned corporation, must pay to the Central
Holding Authority for each financial year an amount that is equal to
the amount the corporation or subsidiary would have been liable to
pay for the financial year as income tax under a law of the
Commonwealth if the corporation or subsidiary were not exempt
from the requirement to do so.
(2) A Government owned corporation that is exempt from the
requirement to pay an amount to a local government council must
pay to the Central Holding Authority for each financial year an
amount that is equal to the amount the corporation would have
been liable to pay to the council in the financial year if the
corporation were not exempt from the requirement to do so.
(3) In calculating an amount of tax referred to in subsection (1) or (2),
and in paying the amount, the Government owned corporation or
subsidiary must comply and act in accordance with the Tax
Equivalents Regimes Manual issued by the Treasurer as amended
from time to time.
(4) A Government owned corporation is not, merely because it may
come under the shield of the Crown or is representing the Crown in
accordance with an agreement under section 5(1)(b), exempt from
any rate, tax, duty or other impost imposed by or under any law of
the Territory.
34 Government guarantee
(1) Except as provided for in this section and despite the provisions of
any other Act (including section 20 of the Northern Territory
Treasury Corporation Act 1994), the obligations of a Government
owned corporation or any of its subsidiaries are not guaranteed by
the Territory.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Financial matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 20
(2) The Treasurer may agree that the Territory is to guarantee a
Government owned corporation:
(a) if the Government owned corporation is required to undertake
an activity outside its normal commercial functions; or
(b) to the extent that the board of the corporation and the
Treasurer agree in writing.
(3) The Treasurer must table in the Legislative Assembly a copy of a
guarantee to which the Treasurer has agreed under this section
within 6 sitting days after the date the guarantee was entered into.
35 Borrowings
(1) A Government owned corporation may only borrow money (other
than from the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation) with the
approval of the Government owned corporation's shareholding
Minister under subsection (2).
(2) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
approve the borrowing of an amount of money by the Government
owned corporation.
(3) If a Government owned corporation borrows money other than from
the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation and the Treasurer is of
the opinion that a similar corporation that was not a Government
owned corporation would have paid a higher interest rate for the
borrowing, the corporation must from time to time pay to the
Treasurer for payment into the Central Holding Authority a
competitive neutrality fee.
(4) The competitive neutrality fee:
(a) is to be determined by the Treasurer having regard to the
difference between the interest rate that the Government
owned corporation is liable to pay for the borrowing and the
interest rate that, in the opinion of the Treasurer, a similar
corporation that was not a Government owned corporation
would have paid for the borrowing; and
(b) may be expressed as a percentage interest rate on the
borrowing.
36 Procurement
(1) A Government owned corporation must develop a procurement
policy.
Part 3 Structure and operation of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Financial matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 21
(2) The procurement policy must be consistent with the principles of
the Territory's procurement policy.
(3) The procurement policy must be approved by the Government
owned corporation's shareholding Minister.
(4) The shareholding Minister must consult with the Government
owned corporation's portfolio Minister before approving, or refusing
to approve, a procurement policy.
(5) The Government owned corporation must comply with the
procurement policy approved by the shareholding Minister.
(6) Until the Government owned corporation's procurement policy is
approved under subsection (4), the Procurement Act 1995 applies
to the corporation as if it were an Agency.
37 Investments by Government owned corporations
(1) A Government owned corporation must not undertake a capital
investment above the relevant prescribed threshold unless it is
approved by the Government owned corporation's shareholding
Minister.
(2) A Government owned corporation must not acquire a financial
investment above the relevant prescribed threshold unless it is
approved by the Government owned corporation's shareholding
Minister.
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the relevant prescribed
threshold is:
(a) the threshold agreed by the board of the Government owned
corporation and the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister; or
(b) if a threshold is not agreed under paragraph (a) – the
threshold determined by the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister,
for a capital investment or financial matter of the type to which the
threshold relates.
(4) A Government owned corporation must not:
(a) form or acquire a subsidiary, a trust, joint venture or other
similar arrangement involving a third party; or
(b) undertake a capital or financial investment outside the
Territory,
Part 4 Accountability
Division 1 Statements of corporate intent
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 22
unless:
(c) the formation, acquisition or undertaking is approved by the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister; or
(d) otherwise agreed between the Government owned
corporation's shareholding Minister and its board.
(5) An approval given by the shareholding Minister under
subsection (4) may be given on the conditions the shareholding
Minister thinks fit.
(6) If the shareholding Minister is not the Treasurer, the shareholding
Minister must consult with the Treasurer before giving an approval
under this section.
38 Disposal of investments
(1) A Government owned corporation must not dispose of a capital or
financial investment above the prescribed threshold unless the
disposal is approved by the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the prescribed threshold is:
(a) the threshold agreed by the board of the Government owned
corporation and the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister; or
(b) if the threshold is not agreed under paragraph (a) – the
threshold determined by the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister.
(3) If the shareholding Minister is not the Treasurer, the shareholding
Minister must consult with the Treasurer before giving an approval
under this section.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 1 Statements of corporate intent
39 Statement of corporate intent – timetable and procedure
(1) The board of a Government owned corporation must prepare and
submit to the Government owned corporation's shareholding
Minister a draft written statement of corporate intent.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 1 Statements of corporate intent
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 23
(2) The board must:
(a) consult in good faith with the shareholding Minister; and
(b) make the changes to the draft statement that are agreed
between the shareholding Minister and the board; and
(c) deliver the completed written statement to the shareholding
Minister (incorporating the changes, if any, made under
paragraph (b)) not later than one month before the
commencement of the financial year to which the statement
relates or by a date agreed between the board and
shareholding Minister.
(3) The statement may be modified at any time by the board with the
agreement of the shareholding Minister.
(4) The shareholding Minister may, from time to time, by written notice
to the board, direct the board to include in, or delete from, the
statement of corporate intent any matters specified in the direction.
(5) Before giving a direction under this section, the shareholding
Minister is to consult with the board of the Government owned
corporation as to the matters to be referred to in the notice.
(6) The Government owned corporation must comply with a direction
given under this section.
(7) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of:
(a) the completed statement of corporate intent for the
Government owned corporation, or a modification of the
statement – within 6 sitting days after the commencement of
the financial year to which the statement relates or after the
date agreed between the board and shareholding Minister
under subsection (2)(c); or
(b) a direction under this section – within 6 sitting days after the
date the shareholding Minister gave the direction.
(8) Before a copy of a document is tabled in the Legislative Assembly
under this section, the shareholding Minister may delete from the
document information that is of a commercially sensitive nature.
(9) A document referred to in this section may not, before it is tabled in
the Legislative Assembly, be published or made available to the
public without the approval of the board and the shareholding
Minister.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 1 Statements of corporate intent
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 24
40 Statement of corporate intent – contents
A statement of corporate intent must specify for the Government
owned corporation, in respect of the financial year to which it
relates and each of the 2 following financial years, the following
information:
(a) the objectives of the corporation;
(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken by the
corporation;
(c) the material risks faced by the corporation;
(d) the strategies to minimise the material risks faced by the
corporation;
(e) the strategies to improve the financial performance of the
corporation;
(f) the capital investment plans of the corporation that have been
approved by the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister;
(g) the financial targets and other measures by which the
performance of the corporation may be judged;
(h) the accounting policies to be applied in the accounts of the
corporation;
(i) any other matters that may be agreed on by the Government
owned corporation's shareholding Minister and board.
41 Statement of corporate intent – reporting
(1) A Government owned corporation must, within 3 months after the
end of each financial year or another period that is specified by the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister, give to its
shareholding Minister and portfolio Minister a report on the
corporation's performance in relation to its statement of corporate
intent.
(2) A report under subsection (1) is to:
(a) identify any significant departures from the statement of
corporate intent for the financial year to which the report
relates; and
(b) set out the reasons for each of the departures.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 2 Audit, reporting and provision of information
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 25
(3) If a report under this section is not included in the annual report
under section 44, the shareholding Minister must table in the
Legislative Assembly a copy of the report under this section within 6
sitting days after the date the shareholding Minister receives the
report.
(4) Before a copy of a report is tabled in the Legislative Assembly
under this section, the shareholding Minister may delete from the
report information that is of a commercially sensitive nature.
Division 2 Audit, reporting and provision of information
42 Corporation to provide financial statements to Auditor-General
(1) A Government owned corporation must forward to the Auditor-
General the financial statements that are to be included in an
annual report prepared under section 44(1).
(2) The Government owned corporation must forward the financial
statements to the Auditor-General within 2 months after the end of
each financial year or of another period that is specified by the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister.
43 Auditor-General to audit financial statements etc.
(1) The Auditor-General must:
(a) audit the financial statements forwarded to him or her under
section 42(1) within one month after receiving them or within
another period determined by the Administrator; and
(b) report on the financial statements to the board of the
Government owned corporation.
(2) The Auditor-General may determine the fee payable for an audit
under this section after consultation with the Government owned
corporation to which the report relates.
(3) A Government owned corporation must pay in accordance with a
direction of the Auditor-General the fee determined under
subsection (2).
(4) A reference in this section to the Auditor-General includes a
reference to a person carrying out functions under this section for
the Auditor-General.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 2 Audit, reporting and provision of information
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 26
44 Annual reports and accounts
(1) A Government owned corporation must prepare an annual report of
the operations of the corporation and of its subsidiaries during each
financial year.
(2) The annual report under subsection (1) is to include:
(a) financial statements for that financial year that comply with the
requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and, if the
corporation has subsidiaries, the requirements of that Act
relating to consolidated financial statements; and
(b) the Auditor-General's report provided to the corporation under
section 43; and
(c) all information that is required by the Government owned
corporation's shareholding Minister to enable an informed
assessment of the operations of the corporation and its
subsidiaries.
(3) A report under subsection (1) must conform to the requirements of
similar reports under the Corporations Act 2001.
(4) The Government owned corporation must forward the annual report
under subsection (1) to the Government owned corporation's
shareholding Minister as soon as practicable after the
Auditor-General provides his or her report to the Government
owned corporation under section 43 and in any case:
(a) within 3 months after the end of each financial year; or
(b) within another period that is specified by the shareholding
Minister.
(5) The shareholding Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly a
copy of an annual report of a Government owned corporation within
6 sitting days after the report is delivered to the shareholding
Minister.
45 Auditor-General to conduct audits
(1) The Auditor-General may conduct under the Audit Act 1995 an
audit of a Government owned corporation.
(2) Sections 16 and 21 of the Audit Act 1995 apply in relation to a
Government owned corporation as if a reference in those sections
to Accountable Officer and Agency were a reference to the
board of a Government owned corporation and Government
owned corporation respectively.
Part 4 Accountability
Division 2 Audit, reporting and provision of information
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 27
46 Special audits
(1) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
request the Auditor-General to carry out an audit within the time
specified in the request or within the further time that is reasonably
necessary to enable the audit to be completed.
(2) A request under subsection (1) is to be in writing and may be given
either generally or in relation to a specific matter.
(3) The Auditor-General is to advise the shareholding Minister in
writing, within 14 days after receiving a request under
subsection (1), whether or not the Auditor-General agrees to carry
out the request.
(4) If the Auditor-General has advised the shareholding Minister under
subsection (3) that the Auditor-General agrees to carry out the
requested audit, the Auditor-General is to provide a written report in
relation to the audit.
(5) The shareholding Minister of a Government owned corporation may
request an auditor to carry out an audit, either generally or in
respect of a specific matter, in relation to the Government owned
corporation.
(6) In this section:
audit includes the inspection, investigation, examination or review
of accounts, performance or systems.
47 Other information to be provided
(1) A Government owned corporation must give relevant corporate
information to its shareholding Minister or portfolio Minister when
requested by the Minister to do so.
(3) Information is to be provided under subsection (1) whether or not
the information is of a kind referred to in the statement of corporate
intent.
(4) A Government owned corporation must provide to the Territory
information in relation to the corporation or its subsidiaries if the
information is required by the Territory to enable it to provide the
information to a body of the Commonwealth for the purpose of the
collection of national data.
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 28
(5) In this section:
relevant corporate information, in relation to a Minister, means
information about the affairs of the corporation or any of its
subsidiaries that the Minister reasonably needs for the performance
of the Minister's functions under this Act.
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government
owned corporations
48 Interpretation
(1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
officer includes a person authorised by the board of a Government
owned corporation.
restriction includes prohibition.
(2) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) the doing of an act by a Government owned corporation
includes a reference to the making of an agreement by the
Government owned corporation and a reference to a transfer
of property to or by the Government owned corporation; and
(b) a reference to power includes a reference to legal capacity.
49 Objects of Part
(1) The objects of this Part include:
(a) providing that the doctrine of ultra vires does not apply to
Government owned corporations; and
(b) ensuring that Government owned corporations give effect to
any restrictions on their objects or powers but without affecting
the validity of their dealings with outsiders.
(2) This Part is to be construed and have effect in accordance with the
objects specified in subsection (1).
50 General powers of Government owned corporations
(1) A Government owned corporation is a body corporate with
perpetual succession.
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 29
(2) A Government owned corporation has, for or in connection with the
performance of its functions, all the powers of a natural person
including the following powers:
(a) to enter into contracts;
(b) to acquire, hold, dispose of and deal with property;
(c) to sue and be sued;
(d) to appoint agents and attorneys;
(e) to charge, and fix terms, for goods, services and information
supplied by it;
(f) to engage consultants;
(g) to do all other things necessary or convenient to be done for,
or in connection with, the performance of its functions.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), a Government owned corporation
has the powers that are conferred on it by or under this or another
Act.
(4) A Government owned corporation may exercise its powers within or
outside the Territory.
(5) Without limiting subsection (4), a Government owned corporation
may exercise its powers outside Australia.
(6) A Government owned corporation is to have a common seal.
51 Restrictions on Government owned corporations
(1) Section 50 has effect in relation to a Government owned
corporation subject to any restrictions on the Government owned
corporation's powers expressly imposed by or under this or another
Act.
(2) Section 50 also has effect in relation to the Government owned
corporation subject to any restrictions expressly imposed by:
(a) the Government owned corporation's constitution; or
(b) a relevant statement of corporate intent of the Government
owned corporation; or
(c) a relevant direction, notification or approval given to the
Government owned corporation by the Government owned
corporation's shareholding Minister or portfolio Minister.
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 30
(3) If:
(a) the Government owned corporation exercises a power
contrary to a restriction referred to in subsection (1) or (2); or
(b) the Government owned corporation's constituting Act sets out
the objects or functions of the corporation and the corporation
does an act otherwise than in accordance with the objects or
functions,
the corporation contravenes this subsection.
(4) The exercise of the power mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or the act
mentioned in subsection (3)(b) is not invalid merely because of the
contravention.
(5) An officer of the Government owned corporation who is involved in
the contravention contravenes this subsection.
(6) An act of the officer is not invalid merely because, by doing the act,
the officer contravenes subsection (5).
(7) The Government owned corporation or officer of the Government
owned corporation is not guilty of an offence merely because of the
relevant contravention.
(8) The fact that:
(a) by exercising the powers mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or
doing the act as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) the
Government owned corporation contravened, or would
contravene, subsection (3); or
(b) by doing a particular act, an officer of the Government owned
corporation contravened or would contravene subsection (5),
may be asserted or relied on only in proceedings between the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister or the
Territory and officers of the Government owned corporation.
51A Business or trading names
A Government owned corporation may use and operate under any
of the following names:
(a) the name given to the corporation by its constituting Act;
(b) one or more business or trading names approved by the
Government owned corporation's shareholding Minister by
notice in writing.
Part 5 Legal capacity and powers of Government owned corporations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 31
52 Assumptions that may be made in dealings with Government
owned corporations or property
(1) A person who enters into a transaction with a Government owned
corporation is entitled to assume that the corporation:
(a) has power to enter into the transaction and is entering into the
transaction in the performance of its statutory functions; and
(b) has obtained all approvals required under this Act or its
constituting Act to enable it to enter into the transaction; and
(c) in entering into the transaction, has complied with its
constitution, this Act and its constituting Act; and
(d) has properly sealed a document if:
(i) it bears what appears to be an imprint of the
corporation's seal; and
(ii) the sealing of the document appears to be authenticated
by a director of the corporation or the chief executive
officer of the corporation.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if, at the time the transaction is
entered into, the person has:
(a) actual knowledge to the contrary of a matter the person is
entitled to assume under subsection (1); or
(b) a connection or relationship with the Government owned
corporation of a kind that the person ought to know that the
contrary of a matter the person is entitled to assume under
subsection (1) is the case.
(3) If a person is entitled to make an assumption under subsection (1)
at the time the person enters into a transaction with a Government
owned corporation, the corporation may not assert, after the
transaction has been entered into, that the assumption does not
apply or that the transaction is not binding on the corporation.
53 Fraud does not necessarily invalidate assumptions
(1) A person's entitlement under this Part to make an assumption is not
affected merely by the fact that a person:
(a) has acted or is acting fraudulently in relation to the dealing or
acquisition or purported acquisition of title to property to which
the assumption relates; or
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 1 Preliminary matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 32
(b) has forged a document that appears to have been sealed on
behalf of a Government owned corporation.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the person is not entitled to make an
assumption under subsection (1) if the person has actual
knowledge of that fraudulent action or forgery.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned
corporations
Division 1 Preliminary matters
53A Definitions
In this Part:
apply, for a transferable instrument in relation to a person, see
section 53B(7).
asset includes:
(a) a legal or equitable interest of any kind (whether present or
future and whether vested or contingent) in property of any
kind (whether real or personal and whether tangible or
intangible); and
(b) a chose in action or other right.
commenced regulations, for Division 4, see section 53N.
error, for Division 4, see section 53P.
liability means a liability, duty or obligation of any kind (whether
present or future and whether vested or contingent).
relevant entity means any of the following:
(a) a Government owned corporation;
(b) a subsidiary;
(c) a statutory corporation;
(d) a corporation (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001), or
other body corporate, that is owned by the Territory;
(e) the Territory.
transfer date, for Division 4, see section 53N.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Transfer regulations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 33
transfer regulations means regulations made under section 53B.
transferable instrument means an instrument (other than an Act
or subordinate legislation but including any other statutory
instrument) that creates, modifies or extinguishes a right or liability
of any kind.
Division 2 Transfer regulations
53B Transfer regulations
(1) Regulations may be made under this section for the purpose of
effecting the transfer of all or part of the business of a Government
owned corporation to a relevant entity.
(2) The regulations may do one or more of the following:
(a) transfer all or part of an asset or liability of a Government
owned corporation or a subsidiary to a relevant entity;
(b) in relation to a transferred asset – require the transferee to
provide consideration for the transfer to the Government
owned corporation or subsidiary from which it was transferred
or to the Territory;
(c) in relation to a transferred asset or liability, do one or both of
the following:
(i) ascribe a value to the asset or liability or provide a
method for how the value is to be determined;
(ii) provide for the manner in which the asset or liability is to
be dealt with in a relevant entity's accounts;
(d) in relation to a transferable instrument that would, but for the
regulations, apply to a Government owned corporation or a
subsidiary (Corporation A), provide that the instrument
becomes an instrument that:
(i) applies to:
(A) a relevant entity instead of Corporation A; or
(B) a relevant entity as well as Corporation A; or
(C) Corporation A as if the regulations had not been
made; and
(ii) applies to Corporation A or the relevant entity to the
extent specified in the regulations; and
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Transfer regulations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 34
(iii) has effect as modified as set out in the regulations;
(e) in relation to proceedings to which, but for the regulations, a
Government owned corporation or a subsidiary
(Corporation A) would be a party:
(i) provide that a relevant entity become a party to the
proceedings in place of Corporation A; or
(ii) provide that relevant entity become a party to the
proceedings, as well as Corporation A, to the extent
specified in the regulations; or
(iii) provide that Corporation A continues as a party to the
proceedings as if the regulations had not been made;
(f) in relation to a right that would, but for the regulations, be
available to or against a Government owned corporation or a
subsidiary (Corporation A) – provide that the right becomes a
right that:
(i) is available to or against a relevant entity instead of
Corporation A; or
(ii) is available to or against a relevant entity, as well as
Corporation A, to the extent specified in the regulations;
or
(iii) continues to be available to or against Corporation A as
if the regulations had not been made;
(g) provide that a relevant entity is the successor in law of a
Government owned corporation or a subsidiary to the extent
specified in the regulations;
(h) make provision in relation to the officers, employees and other
staff of a relevant entity that is affected by the regulations;
(i) make provision for any other matter in respect of which it is
necessary or convenient for provision to be made for giving
effect to the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) The regulations may identify things individually or as classes of
things.
(4) The regulations may identify something as a thing to which a
paragraph of subsection (2) applies by:
(a) identifying the thing in the regulations; or
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Transfer regulations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 35
(b) providing a method for how the things to which the paragraph
is to apply are to be identified, including by providing for a
Minister to prepare a register of those things.
(5) If regulations provide for a Minister to identify things for a paragraph
of subsection (2) by preparing a register, the regulations may also
provide that any matter which that paragraph provides may be
specified or set out in the regulations may be specified or set out in
the register.
(6) For subsection (2)(b), regulations may:
(a) specify the amount of the consideration or provide a method
for how the amount of the consideration is to be determined;
and
(b) provide for the terms on which the consideration is to be
provided, including by creating a debt owed by the transferee.
(7) For subsection (2)(d), a transferable instrument applies to a person
if:
(a) the person is a party to the instrument; or
(b) the instrument was made or given by, to or in favour of the
person; or
(c) the instrument confers a right or liability on the person; or
(d) the instrument refers to the person; or
(e) the instrument has any other connection with or application in
relation to the person.
53C Internal instruments may be included as transferable
instruments
(1) This section applies if:
(a) part of the business of a Government owned corporation is to
be transferred under this Part; and
(b) an instrument (an internal instrument) provides for
arrangements between that part of the business and another
part of the business of the Government owned corporation.
(2) Transfer regulations may make provision for an internal instrument
(including by its inclusion in a register mentioned in
section 53B(4)(b)) as if it were a transferable instrument.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 2 Transfer regulations
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 36
(3) If the regulations do make such provision, for the purposes of this
Part, the instrument is to be taken to be a contract creating rights
and liabilities between the 2 parts of the business as if they were
separate legal entities.
53D Transfer regulations effective despite other Acts
Anything purported to be effected by transfer regulations has effect
despite anything in any Act in force at the time the regulations
commence.
53E Effect of transfer regulations – contravention of laws, civil
wrongs, etc.
Anything that occurs by operation of transfer regulations:
(a) does not constitute a contravention of any law of the Territory;
and
(b) does not constitute a breach of confidence, a breach of a
professional code, or other civil wrong.
53F Effect of transfer regulations – transferable instruments
(1) Anything that occurs by operation of transfer regulations:
(a) does not constitute a breach of a transferable instrument; and
(b) does not fulfil a condition in a transferable instrument that
would do any of the following:
(i) allow a person to terminate or modify the operation or
effect of the instrument;
(ii) allow a person to enforce an obligation or exercise a
right under the instrument;
(iii) release a person from an obligation under the
instrument;
(iv) require a person to perform an obligation under the
instrument;
(v) require money to which the instrument relates to be paid
before its stated maturity; and
(c) does not cause a transferable instrument to become void or
otherwise unenforceable.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 3 General provisions relating to transfers
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 37
(2) If, but for this section, a precondition would have to be satisfied
before something that is done by transfer regulations could occur,
the precondition is taken to have been satisfied unconditionally
before the regulations have effect.
Examples for subsection (2)
1 If notice would otherwise be required to be given before something could
be done, the notice is taken to have been given.
2 If the approval of a person would otherwise be required before something
could be done, the approval is taken to have been given unconditionally.
(3) This section applies despite anything in an instrument.
53G Effect of transfer regulations – joint ownership and joint
liability
(1) This section applies if an asset or liability that is transferred by
transfer regulations is:
(a) an interest in property in which another person also has an
interest; or
(b) a liability that is owed jointly with another person.
(2) The transfer of the asset or liability by the transfer regulations does
not sever any joint tenancy or joint liability or in any other way affect
the interest or liability of the other person.
Division 3 General provisions relating to transfers
53H Completion of necessary transactions
(1) This section applies if there is any impediment to a provision of
transfer regulations having effect (for example, because a matter is
governed by a law of another jurisdiction).
(2) The relevant entities affected by the transfer regulations and their
shareholding and portfolio Ministers must take all practicable steps
to ensure that the effect sought to be achieved by the provision is
achieved.
53J Arrangements for custody and use of records
The relevant entities affected by transfer regulations must make
appropriate arrangements for the custody of, and access to,
documents and information that relate to anything that is affected
by the transfer regulations.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 3 General provisions relating to transfers
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 38
53K Notification and registration of transfer
(1) If transfer regulations transfer an asset, right or liability:
(a) the relevant entity to which it is transferred must give the
relevant registrar all documents and information the registrar
needs in order to register the effect of the transfer regulations;
and
(b) if the registrar is authorised by a law of the Territory – the
registrar must register the effect of the transfer regulations.
(2) If transfer regulations affect proceedings as mentioned in
section 53B(2)(e)(i) or (ii):
(a) a relevant entity that becomes or ceases to be a party to the
proceedings must give to the relevant court officer all
documents and information the officer needs in order to
register the effect of the transfer regulations; and
(b) if the court is a Territory court – the court officer must register
the effect of the transfer regulations.
(3) The documents and information must be given in a form that is
acceptable to the registrar or court officer (which need not be the
form in which such documents and information would ordinarily be
required to be given).
(4) In this section:
court includes a tribunal or other decision making body or person.
court officer for a court, means the registrar, clerk or other officer
responsible for recording matters relating to proceedings before the
court.
register the effect of the transfer regulations means to:
(a) record the documents and information necessary to show the
effect of the transfer regulations; and
(b) take any other action that is appropriate in consequence of the
transfer regulations having had effect.
Example for definition register the effect of the transfer regulations,
paragraph (b)
If land is transferred it may be appropriate for the Registrar-General to issue a
new certificate as to title.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Correction orders
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 39
registrar means a person who is authorised by a law of the
Territory or another jurisdiction to register documents and
information relating to, or otherwise record, transactions affecting
assets, rights or liabilities.
Examples for definition registrar
1 The Registrar-General or an equivalent officer in a State.
2 The Minister administering the Mineral Titles Act.
3 The Registrar of Personal Property Securities under the Personal Property
Securities Act 2009 (Cth).
53L Territory taxes
(1) No Territory tax is payable in relation to a tax-free action.
(2) At the request of a person who would, but for subsection (1), be
liable to pay Territory tax in relation to a tax-free action, the
Treasurer may certify in writing that a specified thing is a tax-free
action.
(3) For all purposes and in all proceedings, a certificate under
subsection (2) is conclusive evidence of the matters certified in it,
except so far as the contrary is shown.
(4) In this section:
tax-free action means anything:
(a) that occurs by operation of transfer regulations; or
(b) that is done for the purpose of giving effect to the transfer of
business being effected by the regulations.
Territory tax means any tax (including stamp duty under the Stamp
Duty Act 1978), duty, fee, levy or charge payable under a law of the
Territory.
Division 4 Correction orders
53M Application of Division
This Division applies if transfer regulations for the purpose of
effecting the transfer of all or part of the business of a Government
owned corporation to a relevant entity have commenced.
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 4 Correction orders
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 40
53N Definitions
In this Division:
commenced regulations means the transfer regulations
mentioned in section 53M.
error, see section 53P.
transfer date means the date on which the transfer of business
effected by the commenced regulations occurred.
53P Meaning of error
(1) The commenced regulations contain an error if they:
(a) did not provide for something that ought to have been
provided for; or
(b) provided for something in a way other than the way in which it
ought to have been provided for; or
(c) provide for something that ought not to have been provided
for.
(2) In this section, a reference to something that ought to have been
done, is a reference to something that was necessary or convenient
to be done in order to properly effect the transfer of business
mentioned in section 53M.
53Q Minister may make correction order
(1) This section applies if the Minister is satisfied that:
(a) the commenced regulations contain an error; and
(b) the error cannot adequately be rectified by the making of
further transfer regulations.
(2) The Minister may, by Gazette notice, make a correction order to
rectify the error.
(3) The Minister cannot make a correction order more than 6 months
after the transfer date.
53R Correction order
(1) A correction order may:
(a) do anything that could have been done by the commenced
regulations under section 53B(2)(a) to (f); and
Part 5A Restructure of Government owned corporations
Division 5 Miscellaneous matters
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 41
(b) provide for a matter of a transitional nature that is necessary
or convenient because of the making of the order.
(2) A correction order may have retrospective operation to a day not
earlier than the transfer day.
(3) However, to the extent to which the order has retrospective
operation, it does not operate to the disadvantage of a person
(other than a relevant entity) by:
(a) decreasing the person's rights; or
(b) imposing liabilities on the person.
53S Application of Part to correction order
This Part, other than section 53B and this Division, apply in relation
to a correction order as if it were transfer regulations.
Division 5 Miscellaneous matters
53T Ministerial directions
(1) The shareholding Minister for a Government owned corporation
may, in writing, direct the Government owned corporation to do
anything that the Minister considers necessary or convenient to be
done for the purpose of:
(a) facilitating the making of transfer regulations; or
(b) preparing for the transfer of business that is to be effected by
the transfer regulations; or
(c) giving effect to the transfer of business.
(2) The direction may require the Government owned corporation to do
something that it could not otherwise lawfully do.
(3) The Government owned corporation must comply with the notice.
(4) The shareholding Minister must table a copy of the notice in the
Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the notice is given to
the board.
(5) The Minister cannot give a direction under this section more than
6 months after the transfer of business occurred.
(6) This section does not affect the ability of a Minister to give
directions under any other provision of this Act.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 42
(7) A reference in this section to doing something includes a reference
to refraining from doing something.
53U Protection from liability
(1) A protected person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done
or omitted to be done by the person in good faith for the purpose of:
(a) facilitating the making of transfer regulations; or
(b) preparing for the transfer of business that is to be effected by
the transfer regulations; or
(c) giving effect to the transfer of business.
(2) In this section:
officer, for a relevant entity, means:
(a) a director of the entity; or
(b) the chief executive officer of the entity; or
(c) any other person who is concerned, or takes part, in the
management of the entity.
protected person means a relevant entity, other than the Territory,
or an officer of a relevant entity.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
53V Inconsistency with constituting Act
(1) If there is an inconsistency between this Act and the constituting
Act for a Government owned corporation, this Act prevails to the
extent of the inconsistency.
(2) If there is an inconsistency between a ministerial direction given to
a Government owned corporation under this Act and a ministerial
direction given to the Government owned corporation under its
constituting Act, the direction given under this Act prevails to the
extent of the inconsistency.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 43
54 Service of notices
A notice, summons, writ or other proceeding required to be served
on a Government owned corporation may be served by:
(a) leaving the document at the head office of the corporation, or,
if it is a notice, leaving the document at, or posting the notice
to, an office of the corporation; or
(b) delivering a copy of the document personally to the chief
executive officer or a director of the corporation who resides in
the Territory.
55 Transitional matters relating to Crown immunity
(1) If a contract is entered into by a statutory corporation, or a
subsidiary of a statutory corporation, before the corporation
becomes a Government owned corporation:
(a) the Government owned corporation and its subsidiaries are
within the shield of the Crown and represent the Territory; and
(b) the Territory is liable for the debts, liabilities and obligations of
the corporation and its subsidiaries,
in relation to:
(c) the contract or a variation of the contract after the corporation
became a Government owned corporation; and
(d) any act performed, or not performed, under the contract or the
variation, or to give effect to the contract or the variation, after
the corporation became a Government owned corporation,
to the same extent as would be the case had the Government
owned corporation not become a Government owned corporation.
(2) If legal proceedings are at any time instituted by or against:
(a) a Government owned corporation or a subsidiary of a
Government owned corporation; or
(b) a statutory corporation, or a subsidiary of a statutory
corporation, that becomes a Government owned corporation
before the conclusion of the proceedings,
Part 7 Transitional matters for Power and Water Corporation Legislation Amendment
Act 2014
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 44
in relation to an act performed or not performed by the corporation
or subsidiary or any other person before the corporation became a
Government owned corporation then:
(c) the Government owned corporation and the subsidiary are
within the shield of the Crown and represent the Territory in
relation to the proceedings; and
(d) the Territory is liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of
the corporation and subsidiary in relation to the proceedings,
to the same extent as would be the case had the Government
owned corporation not become a Government owned corporation.
56 Regulations
The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this
Act, prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to this Act.
Part 7 Transitional matters for Power and Water
Corporation Legislation Amendment Act 2014
57 Continuation of CEOs appointed by Administrator
(1) An existing CEO continues to hold office as if he or she had been
appointed by the board of the Government owned corporation.
(2) Subject to section 16, the CEO holds office:
(a) for the remainder of his or her term of appointment; and
(b) on the same terms and conditions as applied immediately
before commencement.
(3) In this section:
commencement means commencement of section 10 of the
Power and Water Corporation Legislation Amendment Act 2014.
existing CEO means a person who was the chief executive officer
of a Government owned corporation immediately before
commencement.
ENDNOTES
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 45
ENDNOTES
1 KEY Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 (Act No. 69, 2001)
Assent date 21 December 2001
Commenced 21 December 2001
Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Act
2006 (Act No. 7, 2006)
Assent date 26 April 2006
Commenced 26 April 2006
Statute Law Revision Act 2007 (Act No. 4, 2007)
Assent date 8 March 2007
Commenced 8 March 2007
Penalties Amendment (Justice and Treasury Legislation) (Act No. 38, 2010)
Assent date 18 November 2010
Commenced 1 February 2011 (Gaz S6, 1 February 2011)
Power and Water Corporation Legislation Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 13, 2014)
Assent date 13 May 2014
Commenced 29 May 2014 (Gaz S29, 29 May 2014, p 2)
Local Government Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 19, 2014)
Assent date 2 June 2014
Commenced s 16: 1 July 2014; s 18: 1 December 2014; rem: 2 June 2014
(s 2)
Interpretation Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 28, 2021)
Assent date 15 December 2021
Commenced 1 January 2022 (s 2)
Statute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2026 (Act No. 3, 2026)
Assent date 9 February 2026
Commenced 10 February 2026 (s 2)
ENDNOTES
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 46
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 6, 20, 24, 28, 34, 36, 45,
and 53L.
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
s 3 amd No. 13, 2014, s 4
ss 5 – 6 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 7 amd No. 13, 2014, s 5
s 7A ins No. 13, 2014, s 6
amd No. 28, 2021, s 20
s 8 amd No. 13, 2014, s 7
rep No. 3, 2026, s 33
s 9 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 10 sub No. 13, 2014, s 8
amd No. 28, 2021, s 20
ss 11 – 12 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 13 amd No. 13, 2014, s 9
ss 14 – 15 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 16 amd No. 13, 2014, s 10
s 17 amd No. 13, 2014, s 11
ss 18 – 19 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 19A ins No. 13, 2014, s 12
s 20 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 22 rep No. 13, 2014, s 13
s 24 amd No. 7, 2006, s 30; No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 25 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 26 amd No. 38, 2010, s 4
s 27 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 28 amd No. 13, 2014, s 14
s 29 amd No. 13, 2014, s 15
s 30 amd No. 13, 2014, s 16
s 31 amd No. 4, 2007, s 7; No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 32 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 33 amd No. 4, 2007, s 7; No. 19, 2014, s 26
s 35 amd No. 4, 2007, s 7; No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 36 amd No. 13, 2014, s 17
ss 37 – 42 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
ss 44 – 46 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 47 amd No. 13, 2014, s 18
ss 50 – 51 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
s 51A ins No. 13, 2014, s 19
s 52 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
pt 5A hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
pt 5A
div 1 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
s 53A ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
pt 5A
div 2 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
ss 53B – 53G ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
pt 5A
div 3 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
ss 53H – 53L ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
ENDNOTES
Government Owned Corporations Act 2001 47
pt 5A
div 4 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
ss 53M – 53S ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
pt 5A
div 5 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
ss 53T – 53U ins No. 13, 2014, s 20
s 53V ins No. 13, 2014, s 21
s 54 amd No. 13, 2014, s 23
pt 7 hdg ins No. 13, 2014, s 22
s 57 ins No. 13, 2014, s 22