The Act
(Reprint No. 8)
South Australia
ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATION ACT 1985
An Act to make provision for the incorporation, administration and
control of associations; and for other purposes.
This Act is reprinted pursuant to the Acts Republication Act 1967
and incorporates all amendments in force as at
15 July 2001.It should be noted that the Act has not been revised (for obsolete
references, etc.) by the Commissioner of Statute Revision since the
reprint published on 1 June 1993.
Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 1 of 74
ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATION ACT 1985
being
Associations Incorporation Act 1985 No. 30 of 1985
[Assented to 4 April 1985]
1as amended by
Associations Incorporation Act Amendment Act 1985 No. 100 of 1985 [Assented to 7
November 1985]
2Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1992 No. 36 of 1992
[Assented to 21 May 1992]
3Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997 No. 29 of 1997
[Assented to 12 June 1997]
4Financial Sector Reform (South Australia) Act 1999 No. 33 of 1999 [Assented to 17
June 1999]
5District Court (Administrative and Disciplinary Division) Amendment Act 2000 No. 4 of
2000 [Assented to 20 April 2000]
6Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2000 No. 57 of 2000
[Assented to 20 July 2000]
7Associations Incorporation (Oppressive or Unreasonable Acts) Amendment Act 2000 No.
65 of 2000 [Assented to 16 November 2000]
8Statutes Amendment (Corporations) Act 2001 No. 23 of 2001 [Assented to 14 June 2001]
91
Came into operation 28 June 1985:
Gaz. 27 June 1985, p. 2244.2
Came into operation 28 June 1985: s. 2.
3
Came into operation 1 June 1993:
Gaz. 20 May 1993, p. 1694.4
Came into operation 1 February 1998:
Gaz. 24 December 1997, p. 1860.5
Schedule (item 5) came into operation 1 July 1999: being the date specified under
section 3(16) of the
Financial Sector Reform (Amendments and TransitionalProvisions) Act (No. 1) 1999
of the Commonwealth as the transfer date for thepurposes of that Act.
6
Schedule 1 (cl. 3) came into operation 1 June 2000:
Gaz. 18 May 2000, p. 2554.7
Part 2 (s. 4) came into operation 14 August 2000:
Gaz. 10 August 2000, p. 444.8
Came into operation 15 February 2001:
Gaz. 1 February 2001, p. 392.9
Part 5 (ss. 9-19) came into operation 15 July 2001 (being the day on which the
Corporations Act 2001
of the Commonwealth came into operation: Commonwealth ofAustralia Gazette
No. S 285, 13 July 2001): Gaz. 21 June 2001, p. 2270.NOTE:
×
Asterisks indicate repeal or deletion of text.×
Entries appearing in bold type indicate the amendments incorporatedsince the last reprint.
×
For the legislative history of the Act see Appendix.Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 2 of 74
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SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
PART 1
PRELIMINARY
1.Short title
3.Interpretation
3A.Exclusion of operation of Corporations Act
4.Act binds Crown
PART 2
ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION 1—THE COMMISSION
5.Administration by the Commission
6.Inspection of documents
7.Power of Commission to refuse to register or reject document, etc.
9.Annual report
DIVISION 2—POWER OF INSPECTION, ETC.
10.Power of Commission to require production of books
11.Power of Commission to carry out investigations in relation to books
12.Protection from liability
13.Privileged communications
14.Offences
15.Self-incrimination
16.Liens on books
17.Secrecy
PART 3
INCORPORATION OF ASSOCIATIONS
DIVISION 1—INCORPORATION
18.Eligibility for incorporation
19.Manner in which application for incorporation is to be made
20.Incorporation of association
21.Rights and liabilities of members
DIVISION 2—AMALGAMATION
22.Amalgamation
DIVISION 3—RULES
23.Rules binding on association and its members
23A.Contents of rules of an incorporated association
24.Alteration of rules
24A.Court may order variation of rules
DIVISION 4—POWERS
25.Powers of an incorporated association
DIVISION 5—TRANSACTIONS
26.Manner in which contracts may be made
27.Limitation of doctrine of
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28.Abolition of doctrine of constructive notice in relation to incorporated
association
PART 4
MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
DIVISION 1—THE COMMITTEE
29.Management of incorporated associations
30.Certain persons not to be members of the committee
31.Disclosure of interest
32.Voting on a contract in which a committee member has an interest
DIVISION 2—ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT OF PRESCRIBED ASSOCIATIONS
35.Accounts to be kept
36.Lodgment of periodic returns
37.Provisions relating to auditors acting under this Division
37A.Payment of auditor
38.Power of exemption
DIVISION 3—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
39.Annual general meeting
DIVISION 3A—DUTIES OF OFFICERS, ETC.
39A.Duties of officers, etc.
39B.Provisions indemnifying officers or auditors
DIVISION 3B—RECORDS
39C.Keeping of records
39D.Inspection of records
DIVISION 4—DISPUTES
40.Rules of natural justice to be applied in relation to adjudication of dispute
PART 5
COMPROMISE, WINDING UP, TRANSFER OF ACTIVITIES AND DISSOLUTION
DIVISION 1—GENERAL
40A.Power to compromise with creditors
40B.Power to enter into voluntary administration
41.Winding up of incorporated association
41A.Appeals from decisions of receivers, liquidators, managers, etc.
41B.Reports to be submitted to liquidator
41C.Declaration of solvency
41D.Disclosure to creditors on voluntary winding up
41E.Penalty for contravention of applied provisions
42.Power of Commission to require transfer of activities
43.Distribution of assets upon winding up
43A.Application for deregistration
44.Defunct associations
44A.Commission to act as representative of defunct association in certain events
45.Outstanding property of former association
46.Disposal of outstanding property
47.Liability of Commission and Crown as to property vested in Commission
48.Accounts
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49.Removal of name from register
DIVISION 2—OFFENCES
49AA.Interpretation and application
49AB.Non-disclosure
49AC.Failure to keep proper records
49AD.Incurring debts not likely to be paid
49AE.Powers of court
49AF.Frauds by officers
PART 6
MISCELLANEOUS
49A.General power of exemption of the Commission
49B.Immunity from liability
50.Right of appeal
51.Minutes
53.Investing or depositing money with association
53A.Reservation of name
54.Name of association to be printed, etc., on documents
55.Prohibition against securing profits for members
56.Public officer
57.Penalty for non-compliance with Act or a condition imposed under Act
58.Falsification of books
58A.General defence
59.Variation or revocation of trusts
60.Misrepresentation as to incorporation under this Act
61.Oppressive or unreasonable acts
62.Examination of persons concerned with associations
62A.Orders against persons concerned with associations
62B.Civil proceedings not to be stayed
62C.Form and evidentiary value of books
62D.Continuing offences
62E.Proceedings for offences
63.Evidentiary provision
64.Service upon incorporated associations
65.Use of abbreviation "Inc."
66.Fees in respect of lodging documents
67.Regulations
APPENDIX
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 5 of 74
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The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:
PART 1
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1.
This Act may be cited as the Associations Incorporation Act1985
.* * * * * * * * * *
Interpretation
3.
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—"
accounting records" includes invoices, receipts, orders for thepayment of money, bills of exchange, cheques, promissory notes,
vouchers and other documents of prime entry, and books and
records which record such entries, and also includes such working
papers and other documents as are necessary to explain the
methods and calculations by which accounts are made up;
"
accounts" of an incorporated association means—(a)
a combination of—(i)an account of receipts and payments recording the total receipts
and payments based on the cash method of
accounting; and
(ii)a statement of assets and liabilities; or
(b)
a combination of—(i)an account of income and expenditure recording the total income
and expenditure based on the accrual method of
accounting; and
(ii)a balance sheet,
together with such statements, reports and notes, other than
auditors' reports, as are attached to and intended to be read
with the account, statement or balance sheet, as the case may be;
"
association" includes society, club, institution or body;"
authorised person" means a person appointed by the Commission byinstrument in writing to be an authorised person for the purposes
of this Act;
"
beneficiary" includes an object under a discretionary trust;"
body corporate" includes a body corporate within the meaning ofsection 9 of the
Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth;"
books" includes any register or other record of information andany accounts or accounting records, however compiled, recorded or
stored, and also includes any document;
"
the Commission" means the Corporate Affairs Commission;Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 6 of 74
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"
financial year", in relation to an incorporated association,means—
(a)
in the case of an association whose rules fix a period ending ona specified day as the association's financial year—
(i)if such a period is fixed or varied at incorporation or during
the first financial year of the association—the
period not exceeding 18 months commencing on the
date of incorporation and ending on the day
specified;
(ii)if such a period is fixed or varied during any subsequent
financial year—the period not exceeding 12 months
commencing at the end of the last preceding
financial year and ending on the day specified;
(iii)each succeeding period of 12 months ending on the day
specified;
(b)
in the case of an association whose rules do not fix a period asthe association's financial year—
(i)the period commencing on the date of incorporation and ending on
the next succeeding 30 June;
(ii)each succeeding period of 12 months ending on 30 June;
"
gross receipts" of an incorporated association means the totalamount of the receipts of the association including any grant or
subsidy paid to or on behalf of the association by the Government
of the State or the Commonwealth, local government or an agency
of the Crown in right of the State or the Commonwealth, but not
including any money received by the association—
(a)
by way of a membership fee, subscription, levy or other fee, ifany, paid by a member; or
(b)
as a devise or bequest; or(c)
from the sale of any of the association's assets that had notbeen originally purchased by the association for the
purpose of resale;
"
incorporated association" means an association incorporated underthis Act;
"
insolvent under administration" means a person who—(a)
under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth is a bankruptin respect of a bankruptcy from which he or she has
not been discharged; or
(b)
under the law of a country other than Australia has the statusof an undischarged bankrupt,
and includes—
(c)
a person who has executed a deed of arrangement under Part 10 ofthe
Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth or thecorresponding provisions of the law of a country other
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than Australia where the terms of the deed have not been fully
complied with; and
(d)
a person whose creditors have accepted a composition under Part10 of the
Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth orthe corresponding provisions of the law of a country
other than Australia where a final payment has not
been made under that composition;
"
member" of an incorporated association means—(a)
a person who is under the rules of the association a member ofthe association; or
(b)
a body that is under the rules of the association a member ofthe association;
"
officer" of an incorporated association means—(a)
any person who—(i)occupies or acts in a position of—
(A)a member of the committee of the association; or
(B)the secretary, treasurer or public officer of the association;
or
(ii)is concerned, or takes part, in the management of the affairs
of the association,
by whatever name called and whether or not validly appointed to
occupy or duly authorised to act in the position; or
(b)
the holder of any other office established by the rules of theassociation (except a patron or the holder of some
other honorary office that confers no right to
participate in the management of the affairs of the
association); or
(c)
any person in accordance with whose directions or instructionsthe committee of the association is accustomed to act;
"
prescribed association" means an incorporated association—(a)
that had gross receipts in that association's previous financialyear in excess of—
(i)$200 000; or
(ii)such greater amount as is prescribed by regulation; or
(b)
that is prescribed or of a class prescribed by regulation;"
putative spouse" includes a person who is a putative spousenotwithstanding that a declaration has not been made under the
Family Relationships Act 1975
in relation to that person;"
the repealed Act" means the Associations Incorporation Act 1956repealed by this Act;
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"
special resolution" of an incorporated association means—(a)
where the rules of the association provide for the membership ofthe association—a resolution passed at a duly convened
meeting of the members of the association if—
(i)at least 21 days written notice specifying the intention to
propose the resolution as a special resolution
has been given to all members of the association;
and
(ii)it is passed at a meeting referred to in this paragraph by a
majority of not less than three-quarters of such
members of the association as, being entitled to
do so, vote in person or, where proxies are
allowed, by proxy, at that meeting;
(b)
where the rules of the association do not provide for themembership of the association—a resolution passed at a
duly convened meeting of the members of the committee
of the association if—
(i)at least 21 days written notice specifying the intention to
propose the resolution as a special resolution
has been given to all members of the committee;
and
(ii)it is passed at a meeting referred to in this paragraph by a
majority of not less than three-quarters of such
members of the committee as, being entitled to do
so, vote in person or, where alternates are
allowed, by alternates, at that meeting;
"
total receipts and payments" means the amount arrived at byaggregating receipts and payments in connection with all
activities of the association in that association's financial
year;
"
transparency", in relation to a document, means—(a)
a developed negative or positive photograph of that document (inthis definition referred to as an "original
photograph") made, on a transparent base, by means of
light reflected from, or transmitted through, the
document; or
(b)
a copy of an original photograph made by the use ofphotosensitive material (being photosensitive material
on a transparent base) placed in surface contact with
the original photograph; or
(c)
any one of a series of copies of an original photograph, thefirst of the series being made by the use of
photosensitive material (being photosensitive material
on a transparent base) placed in surface contact with
a copy referred to in paragraph
(b), and eachsucceeding copy in the series being made, in the same
manner, from any preceding copy in the series.
(2) Except as otherwise provided, a reference in this Act to the
rules of an association is a reference to the rules relating to the
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constitution, powers, management and administration of the
association, and the rights and liabilities of its members, but
does not extend to rules, by-laws or ordinances relating to or
affecting personal dress or behaviour, practices, procedures or
other matters that are of a religious, ceremonial or doctrinal
nature, or any other prescribed matter.
(3) Where under the rules of an incorporated association
provision is made for confirmation or approval of a resolution of
the association by some other person or body, such a resolution is
not to be regarded as having been duly passed until it has been
confirmed or approved as required by the rules.
(4) A provision in the rules of an association requiring
confirmation or approval of a resolution or decision of the
association by some other person or body is not to be regarded as
oppressive or unreasonable.
* * * * * * * * * *
(6) For the purposes of this Act, a person is an associate of
another person if—
(a)
they are partners; or(b)
one is a spouse, putative spouse, parent or child of the other;or
(c)
they are both trustees or beneficiaries of the same trust, orone is a trustee and the other is a beneficiary of the same
trust; or
(d)
one is a corporation and the other is a director of thecorporation; or
(e)
one is a corporation and the other is a person who has a legalor equitable interest in five per cent or more of the share
capital of the corporation; or
(f)
they are related bodies corporate within the meaning of theCorporations Act 2001
of the Commonwealth; or(g)
a chain of relationships can be traced between them under anyone or more of the above paragraphs.
Exclusion of operation of Corporations Act
3A.
(1) An incorporated association is declared to be an excludedmatter for the purposes of section 5F of the
Corporations Act 2001of the Commonwealth in relation to the whole of the Corporations
legislation to which Part 1.1A of that Act applies.
(2) Subsection (1) does not exclude the application of provisions
of the
Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth to incorporatedassociations to the extent that they relate to any matter that the
regulations provide is not to be excluded from the operation of
that Act.
Act binds Crown
4.
This Act binds the Crown.Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 10 of 74
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Associations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 11 of 74
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PART 2
ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION 1—THE COMMISSION
Administration by the Commission
5.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commission is responsiblefor the administration of this Act.
(2) The Commission is, in relation to the administration of this
Act, subject to the control and direction of the Minister.
Inspection of documents
6.
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Commission must keep, insuch form as it thinks fit—
(a)
a register of incorporated associations; and(b)
such other registers as the Commission thinks fit.(2) Subject to subsection (2a) a person may, on payment of the
prescribed fee—
(a)
inspect a register kept by the Commission under this Act; or(b)
inspect any document registered or held by the Commission underthis Act (not being a document that has been destroyed or
otherwise disposed of); or
(c)
obtain from the Commission—(i)a certified copy of, or extract from, an entry in a register
kept under this Act or the repealed Act; or
(ii)a certified copy of a certificate of incorporation issued under
this Act or the repealed Act; or
(iii)a certified copy of, or extract from, any document registered
or held by the Commission under this Act, or
registered or held under the repealed Act.
(2a) The Commission may, at the request of a person whose
residential address appears in a register or document that is
available for inspection under this section, take any steps
necessary to ensure that the person's address is not publicly
disclosed under this section.
(3) If a reproduction or transparency of a document is produced
for inspection, a person is not entitled pursuant to subsection (2)
to require the production of the original of that document.
(4) The reference in subsection (2)
(c) to a certificate ordocument includes, where a reproduction or transparency of that
certificate or document has been incorporated with a register kept
by the Commission, a reference to that reproduction or transparency
and, where such a reproduction or transparency has been so
incorporated, a person is not entitled pursuant to that subsection
to a copy of, or extract from, the original of that certificate or
document.
Power of Commission to refuse to register or reject document, etc.
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7.
(1) If the Commission is of the opinion that a documentsubmitted to the Commission—
(a)
contains matter contrary to law; or(b)
contains matter that, in a material particular, is false ormisleading in the form or context in which it is included;
or
(c)
by reason of an omission or misdescription, has not been dulycompleted; or
(d)
does not comply with the requirements of this Act; or(e)
contains an error, alteration or erasure,the Commission may refuse to register or may reject the document
and may request—
(f)
that the document be appropriately amended or completed andresubmitted; or
(g)
that a fresh document be submitted in its place; or(h)
where the document has not been duly completed, that asupplementary document in the prescribed form be submitted.
(2) The Commission may request a person who submits a document to
the Commission to produce to the Commission such other document, or
to furnish to the Commission such information, as the Commission
thinks necessary in order to form an opinion whether it should
refuse to register or should reject the document.
(3) If a person fails to comply with a request of the Commission
made pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) within 14 days after the
service on the person of the request, a court of summary
jurisdiction may, on an application of the Commission, order the
person to comply with the Commission's request within the time
specified in the order.
(4) An order made under subsection (3) may provide that all costs
of, and incidental to, the application are to be borne by the
person responsible for the non-compliance.
(5) A person who contravenes or fails to comply with an order
made under subsection (3) is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty:
(a)if the offence is committed in respect of aprescribed association—$5 000; or
(b)
in any other case—$1 250.* * * * * * * * * *
Annual report
9.
(1) The Commission must, on or before 31 December in eachyear, deliver to the Minister a report on the administration of
this Act during the period of 12 months that ended on the preceding
30 June.
(2) The Minister must cause a copy of the report to be laid
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before each House of Parliament.
DIVISION 2—POWER OF INSPECTION, ETC.
Power of Commission to require production of books
10.
For the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions ofthis Act have been or are being complied with, an authorised person
may, by notice in writing, require—
(a)
any incorporated association to produce to the authorised personimmediately or, if a time and place at which the books are
to be produced are specified in the notice, at that time and
place such books relating to affairs of the association as
are specified by the authorised person; or
(b)
any person who is or has been an officer or employee of, or anagent, banker, solicitor, auditor or other person acting in
any capacity for, or on behalf of, an incorporated
association (including an association that is in the course
of being wound up or has been dissolved) to produce to the
authorised person immediately such books relating to affairs
of the association as are specified by the authorised
person; or
(c)
any person to produce to the authorised person immediately anybooks relating to affairs of an incorporated association
(including an association that is in the course of being
wound up or has been dissolved) that are in the custody or
under the control of that person.
Power of Commission to carry out investigations in relation to
books
11.
(1) Subject to this Division, where an authorised personexercises a power under this Division to require another person to
produce books—
(a)
if the books are produced, the authorised person—(i)may take possession of the books and may make copies of, or take
extracts from, the books; and
(ii)may require the other person, or any person who was party to
the compilation of the books, to make a statement
providing any explanation that the person concerned is
able to provide as to any matter relating to the
compilation of the books or as to any matter to which
the books relate; and
(iii)may retain possession of the books for such period as is
necessary to enable the books to be inspected, and
copies of, or extracts from, the books to be made or
taken, by or on behalf of the Commission; and
(iv)during that period must permit a person who would be entitled
to inspect any one or more of the books if they were
not in the possession of the authorised person to
inspect that book or those books at any reasonable
time; or
(b)
if the books are not produced, the authorised person may requirethe other person—
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(i)to state, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, where
the books may be found; and
(ii)to identify the person who, to the best of his or her knowledge
and belief, last had custody of the books and to
state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where
that person may be found.
(2) Where an authorised person exercises a power under this
Division to require another person to produce books that are
recorded, kept and reproduced by electronic means, the other person
may comply with the requirement to produce those books by providing
a printed reproduction of the information contained in the books.
(3) Where this Division confers a power on an authorised person
to require a person to produce books relating to affairs of an
incorporated association, the authorised person also has power to
require that person (whether or not he or she requires that person
to produce books and whether or not any books are produced pursuant
to such a requirement), so far as the other person is able to do
so, to identify property of the association and explain the manner
in which the association has kept account of that property.
Protection from liability
12.
A person is not subject to any liability by reason ofcompliance with a direction or requirement given or made under this
Division.
Privileged communications
13.
(1) Where—(a)
an authorised person makes a requirement under this Division ofa duly qualified legal practitioner in respect of a book;
and
(b)
the book contains a privileged communication made by or onbehalf of the legal practitioner, or to the legal
practitioner, in his or her capacity as such,
the legal practitioner is entitled to refuse to comply with the
requirement unless the person to whom, or by or on behalf of whom,
the communication was made agrees to the legal practitioner
complying with the requirement but, where the legal practitioner so
refuses to comply with a requirement, he or she must immediately
furnish, in writing, to the authorised person—
(c)
if he or she knows the name and address of the person to whom,or by or on behalf of whom, the communication was made—that
name and address; and
(d)
sufficient particulars to identify the book, or the part of thebook, containing the communication.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(2) Where—
(a)
an authorised person, acting in pursuance of this Division,requires a duly qualified legal practitioner to make a
statement providing an explanation as to any matter relating
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to the compilation of books or as to any matter to which any books
relate; and
(b)
the legal practitioner is not able to make that statementwithout disclosing a privileged communication made by or on
behalf of the legal practitioner, or to the legal
practitioner, in his or her capacity as such,
the legal practitioner is entitled to refuse to comply with the
requirement, except to the extent that he or she is able to comply
with the requirement without disclosing any privileged
communication referred to in paragraph
(b), unless the person towhom, or by or on behalf of whom, the communication was made agrees
to the legal practitioner complying with the requirement but, where
the legal practitioner so refuses to comply with a requirement, he
or she must immediately furnish, in writing, to the authorised
person—
(c)
if he or she knows the name and address of the person to whom,or by or on behalf of whom, the communication was made—that
name and address; and
(d)
if the communication was made in writing—sufficient particularsto identify the document containing the communication.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
Offences
14.
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse orfail to comply with a requirement made under this Division.
Maximum penalty:
(a)if the offence is committed in respect of aprescribed association—$5 000; or
(b)
in any other case—$2 500.(2) A person must not, in purported compliance with a requirement
made under this Division, furnish information or make a statement
that is false or misleading in a material particular.
Maximum penalty:
(a)if the offence is committed in respect of aprescribed association—$5 000; or
(b)
in any other case—$2 500.(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this
section if the defendant proves that he or she believed on
reasonable grounds that the information or statement was true and
was not misleading.
(4) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct or
hinder the Commission or another person in the exercise of any
power under this Division.
Maximum penalty:
(a)if the offence is committed in respect of aprescribed association—$5 000; or
(b)
in any other case—$2 500.Self-incrimination
15.
(1) A person is not excused from making a statement providingAssociations Incorporation Act 1985 [Act] Page 16 of 74
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an explanation as to any matter relating to the compilation of any
books or as to any matter to which any books relate pursuant to a
requirement made of him or her in accordance with this Division on
the ground that the statement might tend to incriminate him or her
but, where the person claims before making a statement that the
statement might tend to incriminate him or her, the statement is
not admissible in evidence against him or her in criminal
proceedings other than proceedings under section 14.
(2) Subject to subsection (1), a statement made by a person in
compliance with a requirement made under this Division may be used
in evidence in any criminal or civil proceedings against that
person.
Liens on books
16.
Where an authorised person requires the production of anybooks under this Division and a person has a lien on the books, the
production of the books does not prejudice the lien.
Secrecy
17.
(1) An authorised person who, by reason of the authoritygranted to him or her pursuant to this Act, acquires information
must not, except to the extent necessary to perform his or her
official duties or to perform a function or exercise a power
authorised by this Act, make a record of, or divulge or make use of
in any other way, the information acquired.
Maximum penalty:$10 000.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person is not guilty of an
offence if he or she—
(a)
produces a document to a court in the course of criminalproceedings or proceedings taken under this or any other
Act; or
(b)
divulges to a court during the course of any proceedingsreferred to in paragraph
(a), any matter or thing comingunder his or her notice in the performance of his or her
official duties or in the performance of a function or
exercise of a power referred to in subsection (1); or
(c)
produces a document or divulges information to a person to whom,in the opinion of the Commission, it is in the public
interest that the document be produced or the information be
divulged; or
(d)
produces a document or divulges information that is required orpermitted by any other Act to be produced or divulged, as
the case may be.
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PART 3
INCORPORATION OF ASSOCIATIONS
DIVISION 1—INCORPORATION
Eligibility for incorporation
18.
(1) An association formed—(a)
for a religious, educational, charitable or benevolent purpose;or
(b)
for the purpose of promoting or encouraging literature, scienceor the arts; or
(c)
for the purpose of providing medical treatment or attention, orpromoting the interests of persons who suffer from a
particular physical, mental or intellectual disability; or
(d)
for the purpose of sport, recreation or amusement; or(e)
for the purpose of establishing, carrying on, or improving acommunity centre, or promoting the interests of a local
community or a particular section of a local community; or
(f)
for conserving resources or preserving any part of theenvironmental, historical or cultural heritage of the State;
or
(g)
for the purpose of promoting the interests of students or staffof an educational institution; or
(h)
for political purposes; or(i)
for the purpose of administering any scheme or fund for thepayment of superannuation or retiring benefits to the
members of any organisation or the employees of any body
corporate, firm or person; or
(j)
for the purpose of promoting the common interests of persons whoare engaged in, or interested in, a particular business,
trade or industry; or
(k)
for any purpose approved by the Minister,is, subject to this Act, eligible to be incorporated under this
Act.
(2) Subject to subsection (4), an association of the kind
referred to in subsection (1)
(i) is not, unless the Ministerotherwise approves, eligible to be incorporated under this Act.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), an association which is formed for
the purpose of furthering or protecting the interests of employers
or employees and which is eligible for registration under the
Industrial Relations Act (S.A.) 1972
is not, unless the Ministerotherwise approves, eligible to be incorporated under this Act.
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to an association that
was, immediately before the commencement of this Act, an
association incorporated under the repealed Act.
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(5) Subject to subsection (6), an association of which—
(a)
a principal or subsidiary object is to secure a pecuniary profitfor the members of the association or any of those members;
or
(b)
a principal or subsidiary object is to engage in trade orcommerce,
is not, unless the Commission otherwise approves, eligible to be
incorporated under this Act.
(6) An association is not, for the purposes of this Act, to be
regarded as having as a principal or subsidiary object the securing
of a pecuniary profit for its members or any of its members or
engaging in trade or commerce by reason only of any one or more of
the following circumstances:
(a)
that the association itself makes a pecuniary profit, unlessthat profit or any part of it is or is to be divided among
or received by the members or any of them otherwise than in
accordance with section 55; or
(b)
that the association buys or sells or deals in or provides goodsor services where those transactions are ancillary to the
principal objects of the association and, in the case of
transactions with non-members (other than spouses, children
or parents of members), the transactions—
(i)are not substantial in number or value in relation to the other
activities of the association; or
(ii)are intended to provide financial support to the association in
a manner that is directly related to the objects of
the association; or
(iii)consist in the charging of admission fees to functions
organised for the promotion of the objects of the
association; or
(c)
that the association is established for the protection of atrade, business, industry or calling in which the members
are engaged or interested, if the association itself does
not engage or take part in any such activity; or
(d)
that the members of the association compete for trophies orprizes in contests directly related to the objects of the
association.
(7) An approval of the Minister or the Commission under this
section may be given on such conditions as the Minister or the
Commission thinks fit.
Manner in which application for incorporation is to be made
19.
(1) An application for the incorporation of an associationmust be made to the Commission in the prescribed manner and form by
a person duly authorised by the association to apply for
incorporation.
(2) The application must be accompanied by—
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(a)
a copy of the rules of the association; and(b)
a statutory declaration made by the applicant verifying—(i)that he or she is authorised by the association to apply for
registration; and
(ii)the particulars contained in the application; and
(iii)that the copy of the rules of the association which
accompanies the application is a true copy; and
(c)
a copy of any instrument creating or establishing a trust—(i)which is referred to in the rules of the association; or
(ii)upon which any rule of the association relies for its
operation; and
(ca)
a copy of the settled draft of any instrument prepared for thecreation or establishment of a trust of which the
association is intended to be the trustee—
(i)where the contemplated trust is referred to in the rules of the
association; or
(ii)where any rule of the association relies on the contemplated
trust for its operation; and
(d)
the prescribed fee.Incorporation of association
20.
(1) If, on an application for incorporation duly made underthis Part, the Commission is satisfied—
(a)
that the association is eligible to be incorporated under thisAct; and
(b)
that the rules of the association conform with the requirementsof this Act; and
(c)
that the name of the association—(i)is not such as to be misleading as to the nature, objects or
purposes of the association; and
(ii)is not such as is likely to be confused with the name of any
other body corporate or any registered business name;
and
(iii)is not undesirable as a name for an incorporated association;
and
(iv)conforms with any direction of the Minister relating to the
names of incorporated associations,
the Commission must, subject to subsection (2), register the rules
of the association and issue to the association a certificate of
incorporation.
(2) The Commission may—
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(a)
decline to incorporate an association under this Act if, in itsopinion, it would be more appropriate for its activities to
be carried on by a body corporate incorporated under some
other Act; or
(b)
with the consent of the Minister, decline to incorporate anassociation under this Act if, in its opinion, the
incorporation of the association under this Act would not be
in the public interest.
(3) Upon incorporation under this section—
(a)
the association becomes a body corporate—(i)with perpetual succession and a common seal; and
(ii)with a corporate name as set out in the certificate of
incorporation (in which the word "Incorporated" must
appear as part, and at the end, of the name); and
(b)
all real and personal property held by any person for or onbehalf of the association is vested in and held by the
incorporated association (subject to any trusts that may
affect that property); and
(c)
all rights and liabilities (whether certain or contingent) ofthe association immediately before the incorporation of the
association become rights and liabilities of the
incorporated association.
(4) The Registrar-General must—
(a)
on the application of an incorporated association in which anyestate or interest in land has vested by virtue of this
section; and
(b)
on production of such duplicate instruments of title and otherdocuments as the Registrar-General may require,
register the vesting of that estate or interest in land in the
association.
Rights and liabilities of members
21.
(1) Membership of an incorporated association does not conferon a member, except as may be provided by the rules of the
association, any right, title or interest in any real or personal
property of the association.
(2) Except as may be provided by the rules of the association, a
member of an association is not liable to contribute towards the
payment of the debts and liabilities of the association or the
costs, charges and expenses of a winding up of the association.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of debts or
liabilities incurred by or on behalf of the association prior to
incorporation.
DIVISION 2—AMALGAMATION
Amalgamation
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22.
(1) Any two or more incorporated associations—(a)
may, by special resolution passed by each association, resolveto amalgamate; and
(b)
may apply to the Commission for amalgamation as a singleincorporated association.
(2) An application under subsection (1)—
(a)
must be made in the prescribed form; and(b)
must be accompanied by a copy of the special resolution passedby each of the incorporated associations supporting the
amalgamation; and
(c)
must be accompanied by a copy of the rules of the associationproposed to be formed by the amalgamation; and
(d)
must be accompanied by a copy of any instrument creating orestablishing a trust—
(i)which is referred to in the rules of the association proposed to
be formed by the amalgamation; or
(ii)on which any rule of the association proposed to be formed by
the amalgamation relies for its operation; and
(da)
must be accompanied by a copy of the settled draft of anyinstrument prepared for the creation or establishment of a
trust of which the association proposed to be formed by the
amalgamation is intended to be the trustee—
(i)where the contemplated trust is referred to in the rules of the
association proposed to be formed by the amalgamation;
or
(ii)where any rule of the association proposed to be formed by the
amalgamation relies on the contemplated trust for its
operation; and
(e)
must be accompanied by such certificates and other documents asmay be prescribed; and
(f)
must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.(3) A party to an application under this section must, at the
request of the Commission, supply it with such further documents or
information as the Commission may require.
(4) Where the Commission is satisfied—
(a)
that the association proposed to be formed by the amalgamationis eligible to be incorporated under this Act; and
(b)
that the rules of that association conform with the requirementsof this Act; and
(c)
that the name of that association—(i)is not such as to be misleading as to the nature, objects or
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purposes of the association; and
(ii)is not such as is likely to be confused with the name of any
other body corporate or any registered business name;
and
(iii)is not undesirable as a name for an incorporated association;
and
(iv)conforms with any direction of the Minister relating to the
names of incorporated associations,
the Commission must, subject to subsection (5), register the rules
of the association and issue to the association a certificate of
incorporation.
(5) The Commission may—
(a)
decline to incorporate an association under subsection (4) if,in its opinion, it would be more appropriate for its
activities to be carried on by a body corporate incorporated
under some other Act; or
(b)
with the consent of the Minister, decline to incorporate anassociation under subsection (4) if, in its opinion, the
incorporation of the association under this Act would not be
in the public interest.
(6) Upon incorporation of an association under subsection (4)—
(a)
the association becomes a body corporate—(i)with perpetual succession and a common seal; and
(ii)with a corporate name as set out in the certificate of
incorporation (in which the word "Incorporated" must
appear as part, and at the end, of the name); and
(b)
any incorporated association that was a party to the applicationfor amalgamation is dissolved; and
(c)
the property of the associations that were parties to theapplication for amalgamation becomes the property of the
incorporated association formed by the amalgamation (subject
to any trusts that may affect that property); and
(d)
the rights and liabilities (whether certain or contingent) ofthe associations that were parties of the application for
amalgamation become rights and liabilities of the
incorporated association formed by the amalgamation.
(7) The Registrar-General must—
(a)
on the application of an incorporated association in which anyestate or interest in land has vested by virtue of this
section; and
(b)
on production of such duplicate instruments of title and otherdocuments as the Registrar-General may require,
register the vesting of that estate or interest in land in the
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association.
(8) A reference in a will or other instrument to an association
that is a party to an amalgamation under this section is, after the
amalgamation, to be construed (subject to any provision in the will
or other instrument to the contrary) as a reference to the
association formed by the amalgamation.
(9) Where property vests by virtue of this section in an
association, the vesting of the property, and any instrument
evidencing or giving effect to that vesting, are exempt from stamp
duty.
DIVISION 3—RULES
Rules binding on association and its members
23.
(1) The rules of an incorporated association bind theassociation and all members of the association.
(2) The reference in this section to the rules of an association
extends to rules, by-laws or ordinances of the association relating
to any matter.
Contents of rules of an incorporated association
23A.
(1) The rules of an incorporated association—(a)
must state the name of the association and set out its objects;and
(b)
must not contain any provision that is contrary to orinconsistent with this Act; and
(c)
must contain provisions that, in the opinion of the Commission,deal with the following matters with sufficient
particularity and certainty having regard to the nature and
objects of the association:
(i)membership in the case of an association that has members;
(ii)the powers, duties and manner of appointment of the committee
of the association;
(iii)the appointment of an auditor in the case of an association
that is a prescribed association;
* * * * * * * * * *
(v)the calling of and procedure at general meetings;
(vi)who has the management and control of the funds and other
property of the association;
(vii)the powers of the association and by whom and in what manner
they may be exercised;
(viii)the manner in which the rules of the association may be
altered;
(ix)any other matter prescribed by regulation.
(2) This section applies only to rules, or an alteration to
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rules, submitted to the Commission for registration after the
commencement of this section.
Alteration of rules
24.
(1) An alteration to a rule of an incorporated associationmay be made by a special resolution of the association unless other
provision is made in the rules of the association.
(2) An incorporated association must, within one month after
making an alteration to a rule, register the alteration with the
Commission.
Maximum penalty:$1 250.
(3) An application for registration of a proposed alteration of
the rules of an incorporated association—
(a)
must be made in the prescribed form; and(b)
must be accompanied by a statutory declaration made by thepublic officer verifying the alteration; and
(c)
must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.(4) Subject to subsection (5), where the Commission is satisfied
that the proposed alteration conforms with the requirements of this
Act, the Commission must register the alteration.
(5) Where an alteration to the rules of an incorporated
association consists of or includes an alteration to the name of
the association—
(a)
the Commission must not register the alteration unless it issatisfied that the name—
(i)is not such as to be misleading as to the nature, objects or
purposes of the association; and
(ii)is not such as is likely to be confused with the name of any
other body corporate or any registered business name;
and
(iii)is not undesirable as a name for an incorporated association;
and
(iv)conforms with any directions of the Minister as to the names of
incorporated associations; and
(b)
the Commission must, if it registers the alteration, issue tothe association a new certificate of incorporation and make
an appropriate notation on the register of incorporated
associations.
(6) Subject to any provision in the rules of the association or a
resolution to the contrary, an alteration to the rules of an
incorporated association comes into force at the time that the
alteration is passed.
(7) Notwithstanding subsection (6), an alteration to the name of
an incorporated association does not come into force until the
alteration is registered by the Commission in accordance with this
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section.
Court may order variation of rules
24A.
(1) The rules of an incorporated association may be varied,on the application of the association, by the Supreme Court.
(2) Where the rules of the incorporated association provide for
the membership of the association, a meeting of the members must be
held, before an application is made under this section, to explain
the purposes of the proposed application and seek the views of the
members in relation to the proposed application.
(3) Notice of an application under this section must be given as
the Supreme Court directs.
(4) The Supreme Court may, on application under this section,
order that the rules of an incorporated association be varied in a
manner the Court thinks fit, if it is satisfied that—
(a)
the rules unduly limit the conduct of the association's affairs;and
(b)
the variation of the rules—(i)is consistent with the objects of the association; and
(ii)will not prejudice any member of the association; and
(iii)is justified in the circumstances of the particular case.
(5) Before making an order under this section the Supreme Court
must have regard to any views expressed by members of the
association in relation to the proposed variation at a meeting held
in accordance with subsection (2).
(6) The Commission is entitled to appear and be heard in relation
to an application under this section.
DIVISION 4—POWERS
Powers of an incorporated association
25.
For the purpose of carrying out its objects, an incorporatedassociation may, subject to this Act and its rules—
(a)
acquire, hold, deal with, and dispose of, any real or personalproperty; and
(b)
administer any property on trust; and(c)
open and operate ADI accounts; and(d)
invest its moneys—(i)in any security in which trust moneys may, by Act of Parliament,
be invested; or
(ii)in any other manner authorised by the rules of the association;
and
(e)
borrow money upon such terms and conditions as the associationthinks fit; and
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(f)
give such security for the discharge of liabilities incurred bythe association as the association thinks fit; and
(g)
appoint agents to transact any business of the association onits behalf; and
(h)
enter into any other contract it considers necessary ordesirable.
DIVISION 5—TRANSACTIONS
Manner in which contracts may be made
26.
(1) Contracts may be made by or on behalf of an incorporatedassociation as follows:
(a)
a contract which, if made between private persons, would berequired to be in writing under seal may be made by the
incorporated association under its common seal;
(b)
a contract which, if made between private persons, would berequired to be in writing signed by the parties to be
charged may be made on behalf of the association in writing
by any person acting under its authority, express or
implied;
(c)
a contract which, if made between private persons, would bevalid although made by parol only may be made by parol on
behalf of the association by any person acting under its
authority, express or implied.
(2) A contract may be varied or rescinded by or on behalf of an
incorporated association in the same manner as it is authorised to
be made.
Limitation of doctrine of
ultra vires27.
(1) A contract made with an incorporated association is notinvalid by reason of any deficiency in the capacity of the
association to enter into, or carry out, the contract unless the
person contracting with the association has actual notice of the
deficiency.
(2) An incorporated association that enters into a contract that
would, but for the provisions of subsection (1), be invalid is
empowered to carry out the contract.
(3) This section does not prejudice an action by a member of an
incorporated association to restrain the association from entering
into or carrying out a transaction that lies beyond the powers
conferred on the association by this Act or its rules.
Abolition of doctrine of constructive notice in relation to
incorporated association
28.
It is not to be presumed that a person dealing with anincorporated association, or an agent of an incorporated
association, has notice of the rules of the association, or of any
other document registered by, or lodged with, the Commission in
relation to the association.
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PART 4
MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
DIVISION 1—THE COMMITTEE
Management of incorporated associations
29.
(1) Subject to this Act, the persons who have under the rulesof an incorporated association power to administer the affairs of
the association constitute, for the purposes of this Act, the
committee of the association.
(2) No person is to be precluded from being appointed as a member
of the committee of an incorporated association by reason only of
the fact that he or she is a member of a class of persons for whose
benefit the association is established.
(3) Subject to the rules of the association, no employee of an
incorporated association is to be precluded by reason of that
employment from being appointed as a member of the committee of the
association.
Certain persons not to be members of the committee
30.
(1) A person who is an insolvent under administration mustnot, without leave of the Commission, be a member of the committee
of an incorporated association, or be in any way (whether directly
or indirectly) concerned in or take part in the management of an
incorporated association.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(2) A person who has been convicted within or outside the State—
(a)
on an indictment of an offence in connection with the promotion,formation or management of a body corporate; or
(b)
of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty punishable onconviction by imprisonment for a period of not less than
three months; or
(c)
of an indictable offence; or(d)
of—(i)an offence against section 39A; or
(ii)an offence against a provision applied by section 41B; or
(iii)an offence against section 60,
must not, within a period of five years after his or her conviction
or, if he or she was sentenced to imprisonment, after his or her
release from prison, without leave of the Commission, be a member
of the committee of an incorporated association, or be in any way
(whether directly or indirectly) concerned in or take part in the
management of an incorporated association.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(3) When granting leave under this section, the Commission may
impose such conditions or limitations as it thinks fit and any
person contravening or failing to comply with any such condition or
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limitation that is applicable to him or her is guilty of an
offence.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(4) The Commission may, at any time, revoke leave granted by it
under this section.
Disclosure of interest
31.
(1) A member of the committee of an incorporated associationwho has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a contract, or
proposed contract, with the association—
(a)
must, as soon as he or she becomes aware of his or her interest,disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest to the
committee; and
(b)
must disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest inthe contract at the next annual general meeting of the
association (if an annual general meeting is required to be
held by the association).
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a pecuniary
interest that exists only by virtue of the fact—
(a)
that the member of the committee is an employee of theassociation; or
(b)
that the member of the committee is a member of a class ofpersons for whose benefit the association is established; or
(c)
that the member of the committee has the pecuniary interest incommon with all or a substantial proportion of the members
of the association.
(3) Where a member of the committee of an incorporated
association discloses a pecuniary interest in a contract, or
proposed contract, in accordance with this section, or his or her
interest is not such as need be disclosed under this section—
(a)
the contract is not liable to be avoided by the association onany ground arising from the fiduciary relationship between
the member and the association; and
(b)
the member is not liable to account for profits derived from thecontract.
Voting on a contract in which a committee member has an interest
32.
(1) A member of the committee of an incorporated associationwho has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a contract, or
proposed contract, with the association must not take part in any
decision of the committee with respect to that contract (but may,
subject to complying with the provisions of this Division, take
part in any deliberations with respect to that contract).
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a pecuniary
interest—
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(a)
that exists only by virtue of the fact that the member of thecommittee is a member of a class of persons for whose
benefit the association is established; or
(b)
that the member of the committee has in common with all or asubstantial proportion of the members of the association.
* * * * * * * * * *
DIVISION 2—ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT OF PRESCRIBED ASSOCIATIONS
* * * * * * * * * *
Accounts to be kept
35.
(1) A prescribed association must keep its accounting recordsin such a manner as will enable—
(a)
the preparation from time to time of accounts that presentfairly the results of the operations of the association; and
(b)
the accounts of the association to be conveniently and properlyaudited in accordance with this Division.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(2) A prescribed association must, after the end of a financial
year of the association—
(a)
cause accounts in respect of the financial year to be prepared;and
(b)
cause the accounts to be audited by a registered companyauditor, a firm of registered company auditors, a person who
is a member of the Australian Society of Certified
Practising Accountants or The Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Australia or such other person who may be
approved by the Commission as an auditor of the accounts of
the association for the purposes of this Division; and
(c)
cause to be attached to the accounts, before the auditor reportson the accounts, a statement made in accordance with a
resolution of the committee of the association and signed by
two or more members of the committee—
(i)stating whether or not—
(A)the accounts present fairly the results of the operations of the
association for the financial year and the state
of affairs of the association as at the end of
the financial year; and
(B)the committee has reasonable grounds to believe that the
association will be able to pay its debts as and
when they fall due; and
(ii)giving particulars—
(A)of any body corporate that is a subsidiary of the association
within the meaning of section 46 of the
Corporations Act 2001
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(B)of any trust of which the association is a trustee.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
(3) A prescribed association will not be taken to have complied
with subsection (2) unless the accounts prepared for a financial
year are submitted to the auditor in sufficient time to enable the
auditor to audit the accounts and furnish a report in respect of
the accounts in accordance with section 37(3).
(4) A person who is—
(a)
an officer; or(b)
a partner, employer or employee of an officer; or(ba)
an employee; or(c)
a partner or employee of an employee,of a prescribed association, may not be appointed as auditor of the
accounts of the association for the purposes of this section.
(5) The committee of a prescribed association must cause a report
of the committee to be made in accordance with a resolution of the
committee and signed by two or more members of the committee,
stating in relation to each officer of the association—
(a)
whether or not, during the financial year to which the accountsrelate—
(i)the officer; or
(ii)a firm of which the officer is a member; or
(iii)a body corporate in which the officer has a substantial
financial interest,
has received or become entitled to receive a benefit as a result of
a contract between the officer, firm or body corporate and
the association, and if so the general nature of the
benefit;
(b)
whether or not, during the financial year to which the accountsrelate, the officer has received directly or indirectly from
the association any payment or other benefit of a pecuniary
value, and if so the general nature and extent of that
benefit.
(6) The committee of a prescribed association that has members
must cause—
(a)
the audited accounts including the statement prepared inaccordance with subsection (2)
(c); and(b)
the auditor's report on those accounts; and(c)
the report of the committee prepared in accordance withsubsection (5),
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to be laid before the members of the association at the annual
general meeting of the association or, if an annual general meeting
is not to be held, within five months of the end of the financial
year to which the accounts relate.
(7) A member of the committee of an association who fails to take
all reasonable steps to comply with or secure compliance with this
section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty:
(a)if the offence is committed with intent todeceive or defraud the association,
creditors of the association or
creditors of any other person or for any
fraudulent purpose—$20 000 or
imprisonment for four years; or
(b)
in any other case—$5 000.Lodgment of periodic returns
36.
(1) A prescribed association must lodge with the Commissionsuch periodic returns, containing accounts and other information
relevant to the affairs of the association, as the regulations may
require.
(2) The requirements of the regulations in relation to periodic
returns and the accounts and other information to be contained in
them may vary according to the various classes of associations to
which the regulations are expressed to apply but no such regulation
may require the disclosure of the identity of members of the
association.
(3) If a prescribed association fails to comply with subsection
(1), the association is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty:$5 000.
Provisions relating to auditors acting under this Division
37.
(1) An auditor of a prescribed association has a right ofaccess at all reasonable times to the accounting records and other
records of the association and is entitled to require from any
officer of the association such information and explanations as he
or she desires for the purposes of an audit.
(2) An officer of a prescribed association must not, without
lawful excuse—
(a)
refuse or fail to allow an auditor of the association access,for the purposes of this Division, to any accounting records
and other records of the association in his or her custody
or control; or
(b)
refuse or fail to give any information or explanation as andwhen required by the auditor; or
(c)
otherwise hinder, obstruct or delay an auditor in theperformance of his or her duties or the exercise of his or
her powers as auditor.
Maximum penalty:$1 250.
(3) The auditor of a prescribed association must furnish to the
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committee of the association, in sufficient time to enable the
committee to comply with section 35(6), a report that states—
(a)
in respect of accounts consisting of an account of income andexpenditure and a balance sheet, whether or not the auditor
is satisfied that these accounts are drawn up so as to
present fairly—
(i)the results of the association's activities for the
association's financial year; and
(ii)the financial state of the association at the end of the
association's financial year; and
(b)
in respect of accounts consisting of an account of receipts andpayments and a statement of assets and liabilities, whether
or not the auditor is satisfied that these accounts present
fairly—
(i)the results of the association's activities for the
association's financial year; and
(ii)the financial state of the association at the end of the
association's financial year,
notwithstanding that the accounts may not have been prepared on the
accrual method of accounting; and
(c)
whether the auditor has examined the accounts and auditors'reports of—
(i)each body corporate that is a subsidiary of the association
within the meaning of section 46 of the
CorporationsAct 2001
of the Commonwealth; and(ii)each trust of which the association is a trustee,
and the conclusions drawn from the examination; and
* * * * * * * * * *
(e)
whether the auditor has obtained all of the information andexplanations that he or she required from the association.
(4) If, in the course of performing his or her duties, an auditor
of a prescribed association is satisfied that—
(a)
it is likely that there has been a contravention of, or failureto comply with, a provision of this Act or a rule of the
association; or
(b)
there is a deficiency in relation to the accounts or informationin respect of the activities of the association that, in the
auditor's opinion, will not be adequately dealt with by
bringing the matter to the notice of the committee of the
association,
the auditor must immediately report the matter to the Commission by