Native Title Act 1993

The Commonwealth Minister may, in writing:

invite applications from eligible bodies for recognition as the representative body for an area; or

invite an eligible body to make an application for recognition as the representative body for an area.

The invitation may specify an area for which there is a representative body.

An eligible body must not be recognised as the representative body for an area with effect from a particular day if the recognition of a body as the representative body for all or part of the area will be in effect on that day: see subsection 203AD(4).

The invitation may specify more than one area for which an application or applications are invited.

The invitation must specify the period (of at least 28 days) within which the application or applications are to be given to the Commonwealth Minister.

The invitation must specify the information that must be included in the application or applications that are given to the Commonwealth Minister.

The invitation must contain a statement setting out the effect of section 203AA (which deals with the revocation of invitations).

If the invitation is made under paragraph (1)(b), the invitation must contain a statement setting out the effect of section 203AAA (which requires an eligible body to notify the Commonwealth Minister if it decides not to apply for recognition etc.).

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the Commonwealth Minister may arrange for the publication of general invitations and need not make a separate invitation to each eligible body.