Native Title Act 1993

The President may arrange with the Federal Court Chief Executive Officer for a person to be engaged as a consultant in relation to any assistance, mediation or review that the Tribunal provides under any provision of this Act.

The Federal Court Chief Executive Officer may enter into contracts on behalf of the Commonwealth and has responsibilities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 in relation to the Tribunal.

The Federal Court Chief Executive Officer may only engage a person under subsection (1) if:

the person has, in the opinion of the President, particular skills or knowledge in relation to matters of substantial relevance to the assistance, mediation or review; and

so far as is reasonably practicable, the person has, in the opinion of the President, special knowledge in relation to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander societies.

An engagement under subsection (1) must be made:

on behalf of the Commonwealth; and

by written agreement.

A consultant engaged under subsection (1) is subject to directions given by the President under subsection 123(1).