An experienced company director has assumed administration of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands executive board after its suspension last month following governance concerns.

South Australia Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher named Austin Taylor, a board member of the SA Film Corporation and Renewal SA, as administrator of the state's APY Lands after a controversial report unveiling breaches of its code of conduct was tabled in SA Parliament.

Mr Maher last month suspended the board until December 4 after the report by conciliator Greg Rooney found the recruitment process of a new general manager, which began in early 2023, was a "waste of $32,580 of APY and government funds" and was in breach of APY Lands code of conduct.

Two preferred candidates identified by an external recruiter appointed by the board had two preferred candidates by mid-2024, but neither was appointed, with the current general manager Richard King instead nominating himself for another three-year term at a September 3 board meeting, without declaring a conflict of interest or stepping aside.

He was the only candidate and was reappointed.

Mr Rooney's report found significant information about the preferred candidates was deliberately withheld from the newly elected board, and that Mr King's wife – Tania – was tasked with organising a key recruitment meeting but never scheduled it, effectively halting the process.

The appointment was declared "constitutionally invalid," and a new recruitment process was ordered, with Mr King later announcing he would step down after 12 years to return to Adelaide.

The APY Lands covers more than 100,000 square kilometres far north-west of South Australia, including multiple First Nations communities, and is governed by an executive board elected for three-year terms.

Mr Maher said the board had been told Mr Taylor was appointed administrator of the APY Executive Board until the suspension ends, who he understood was currently writing to Aṉangu leaders and community members to provide further information.

"Above all, the main priority is that APY and its administration are working for the benefit of all Aṉangu," said Mr Maher, who first received a complaint last November about the recruitment process and a resolution to reappoint Richard King to the role.

A government spokesperson had previously said the decision to suspend the board followed "several concerning findings" by Rooney, revealed in the subsequent report.

"These related to an unsuccessful 18-month process to recruit a new APY General Manager, including non-disclosure of conflicts of interest, board members being placed in the position of voting on important decisions without all of the relevant information, and misleading statements being provided to the Minister," the spokesperson said.

Mr Taylor – who has 20 years' experience in solvency management, insolvency administration, restructuring and turnaround – will be administrator until December 4. He is the founder and former managing partner for Meertens Chartered Accountants and a former member of the Flinders University executive committee and university council.

Mr Taylor would have all the functions and powers of the APY board and must endeavour to advance the interests of Anangu at all times, with consultation with the elected representatives during the suspension period still expected.

The experienced director brings strong governance and risk management knowledge to the role. He also holds a Masters of Indigenous Knowledges and has for several years been actively involved in Aboriginal communities and organisations.

In a statement previously released, Mr King said he would step down after 12 years in the role, to return to Adelaide and be closer to family.

"There have been challenges during my tenure, but also significant achievements, and I remain proud of what has been delivered in partnership with Anangu," the statement read.

"I had decided to step down in 2023, with the expectation that a recruitment process would be undertaken in 2024 to identify new leadership. However, when that process encountered difficulties, I agreed to stay on and provide stability.

"I acknowledge the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs' decision to now suspend the executive board and appoint an administrator to oversee the recruitment of a new general manager."