Two women will lead the Anindilyakwa Land Council board, following elections for the Northern Territory-based organisation.
Cherelle Wurrawilya was elected chair and Ida Mamarika as deputy chair.
The council, based on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria, was referred to the National Indigenous Australians Agency integrity body following a damning audit.
The Australian National Audit Office report, released in May 2023, found 50 per cent of 2021/22 mining royalties paid to Anindilyakwa Land Council were invested into Winchelsea Mining, whose executive director was chief executive at the land council.
It was subsequently referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the council's budget was withheld by the federal government over concerns about its governance, operations and decision-making.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency integrity body released a report in August, finding the council had started work on addressing 14 accepted recommendations of the audit, but none had been fully implemented.
In a response contained in the report, the land council said it was committed to implementing the recommendations, but pointed to the difficulty of managing conflicts of interest in the small and remote community.
Ms Wurrawilya said the council was focused on delivering better outcomes for the Anindilyakwa people.
"Many ALC board members will continue to lead Aboriginal corporations to create change through local control across key areas," she said on Friday.
"The ALC board will continue to deliver these key initiatives in line with the ALC Strategic Plan, which prioritises action plans that are critical to prepare for mine closure in 2031.
"These are big projects that are critical for the future and the preservation of culture and are guided by the aspirations and goals of the Anindilyakwa people."
Anindilyakwa Land Council chief executive Mark Hewitt congratulated the new board on their elections.
"We warmly welcome the new board and look forward to working with them on the many important initiatives currently being delivered on Groote," Mr Hewitt said.
"It is especially pleasing to see the strong female leadership of the ALC board."
