New appointment to guide Aboriginal Investment NT’s $650m spending spree
An NT organisation is set to invest more than half-a-billion dollars over the next decade. Read where the money’s coming from.
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A cashed-up Aboriginal investment organisation has teamed with one of Australia’s leading investment consultants to advise on and implement its extensive financial assets.
Aboriginal Investment NT has appointed asset consultant JANA Investment Advisers to oversee the allocation of more than $650 million in financial assets over the next decade.
Aboriginal Investment Corporation NT has two Commercial Investment Portfolios from which to invest, with JANA’s appointment dovetailing with the first investments from the funds.
Aboriginal Investment NT established the CIP in December 2024 to hold its initial $655m in capital as part of its 2024-29 strategic plan.
The capital is made up of royalties generated from mining on Aboriginal-owned and controlled land in the NT.
Split into two funds - the Community Ready Fund and the Future Fund - the CIP will invest in financial assets with a specific scope of functions.
The Community Ready Fund, which has an initial allocation of $155 million, will invest in financial assets over one to three years and aims to maintain high liquidity levels to bankroll Aboriginal Investment NT’s activities including grant funding and community-led projects. The fund will provide Territory-wide on-the-ground support to Aboriginal businesses, organisations, communities and projects.
The Future Fund has an initial allocation of $500 million to invest in financial assets over the 10-plus years with an aim to generate strong returns while building intergenerational Aboriginal wealth.
The fund will also provide self-sufficient and sustainable capital for future use through the Community Ready Fund.
Aboriginal Investment NT chief investment officer Brian Wyborn said the organisation was well underway to building these funds.
“Aboriginal Investment NT has remained committed to building long-term, sustainable wealth for Aboriginal Territorians, which is seen in part through various investments made into our Commercial Investment Portfolio,” Mr Wyborn said.
“These include an initial investment of $139.5 million in December 2024 across both funds, and a further $40 million in March 2025 into the Community Ready Fund and $62.5 million also in March into the Future Fund.
“These investments take our Commercial Investment Portfolio to more than $240 million, which ensures a measured, long-term approach to growing capital for Aboriginal Territorians. Additional allocations into the Commercial Investment Portfolio will be made over the next eighteen months.”
JANA chief executive Georgina Dudley said it was a privilege to support Aboriginal Investment NT and its CIP.
“We are honoured to partner with Aboriginal Investment NT on this important initiative,” she said.
“Their vision of building intergenerational prosperity through Aboriginal values and strong governance deeply resonates with JANA’s purpose of supporting long-term, purpose-led investing.
“We’re committed to contributing our expertise in diversified, risk-aware investment strategies to help create enduring wealth and meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory.”
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