Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust (LIFT)

The purpose of the Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust (LIFT) is to provide a benefit to the Larrakia people over the 40 years of the INPEX Ichthys LNG operations.

The LIFT has been set up within a Trust structure to support governance of the funds and ensure the funds are distributed for the sole benefit of the Larrakia people. Key initial focus areas of the Trust include the provision of education opportunities and support for Elders.

The development of the LIFT has occurred in consultation with the INPEX Larrakia Advisory Committee (Committee) – which includes representation from both the Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC) and Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC). The Committee is the body that assesses submissions to the Trust and approves the programs to be funded.

The LDC and LNAC are known as community corporations for the purposes of the LIFT.

For more information about the LIFT, please refer to the video produced by FiRST NATiONS TV for the Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust and the Larrakia nation.

Trust structure

1. Proposals for new programs are developed by the community corporations and submitted to the Trustee (Perpetual).
2. The Trustee reviews the proposals and submits them to the Committee.
3. The Committee reviews the submissions and advises the Trustee of approved submissions.
4. The Trustee enters into a funding agreement with the community corporation which will administer the program.
5. The community corporation delivers the program and acquits the funds.

Register of Larrakia

The LDC acts in the position of Registrar for the Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust (LIFT).  As Registrar, the LDC maintains the Register of Larrakia to manage the funding eligibility for the programs funded by the LIFT.

Larrakia people seeking to apply for assistance through LIFT funded programs MUST be registered with the Register of Larrakia.  Every Larrakia person over the age of 18 can be included on the register by completing the application form and providing the required identification documents.

Children under the age of 18 can also be included with the authorisation of their Parents/Guardians and required identification documents.

Please refer to the LDC website for the application form and further information https://www.larrakia.com.au/distribution-policy/

Accessing programs

Individuals can access the LIFT-funded programs via the LDC and LNAC. Current programs are listed below.

If you have an idea for a program that will benefit Larrakia people or queries about the LIFT, please email [email protected]

Meet the new INPEX Larrakia Advisory Committee members

The Larrakia Reference Group was formed in 2016 to provide INPEX with a conduit to Larrakia people to provide guidance and advice on Larrakia culture and heritage, the environment and employment and training.

Following a request from INPEX to assist with the development of the Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust (LIFT), the Larrakia Reference Group became the INPEX Larrakia Advisory Committee (ILAC) in 2017 and the LIFT commenced in late 2018.

At this time, the membership of the ILAC consisted of seven independent Larrakia members, one Larrakia representative from Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC), one from Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) and two representatives from INPEX.

Fast forward to 2022 and the ILAC membership has changed to include a new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, new members and two Ambassadors, increasing the total number of members to 13.

Both Ambassadors were founding members of the ILAC and are well-respected Senior Elders in their own Countries. Bill Risk (Larrakia) was the Chair of the ILAC and Irene Stainton (Nyoongar) was an INPEX Representative on the Committee. Bill and Irene both agreed to stay on in Ambassadorial roles to continue to provide their wisdom and guidance to the ILAC, particularly to the new members.

Darryn Wilson and Justine Williams were unanimously voted into their roles of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively. Darryn was also a founding member of the ILAC and brings a wealth of experience to his role as Chairperson.

“I am an active member of the Larrakia community and recognised as such by my peers. I look forward to continuing to represent and advocate on behalf of all Larrakia people, promoting the current benefits of the LIFT programs to our community members and ensuring Larrakia have access to and benefit from, the support of all the programs during the life of the LIFT,” said Darryn.

Justine has been an ILAC member since 2019 and is passionate about ensuring all Larrakia people have every opportunity to benefit from the LIFT.

“My background is in employment and training, and I will be an advocate in this space,” Justine said. The new independent Larrakia members on the Committee are Joshua Talbot and Imogene Briston.

Both Joshua and Imogene bring another layer of local Larrakia voice to the table, ensuring the younger generation’s views are considered.

Another respected Larrakia Senior Elder, Bilawara Lee, is the LNAC representative, and will discuss new program proposals and respond to questions about LNAC administered programs on behalf of LNAC. The LDC has chosen to continue to be represented by their Chairperson, Mark Motlop.

Yuko Tokunaga, INPEX Manager Corporate Social Responsibility, is the new INPEX representative on the Committee. Yuko is keen to see the LIFT succeed and has been delivering community sponsorship and partnership programs for INPEX for a number of years.

Back row, L to R: Mark Motlop, Joshua Talbot, Bill Townsend, Chrissy Jenner, Darryn Wilson, Bill Risk
Front row, L to R: Yuko Tokunaga, Carol Quill, Phyllis Mitchell, Bilawara Lee, Irene Stainton