Land Council Leaders Convene in Orange to Challenge Crown Lands Legislation

Orange, NSW - Aboriginal Land Council leaders from across New South Wales (NSW) have been invited to gather in Orange at the end of April for a high-stakes meeting with Crown Lands Minister Steve Kamper.

The forum follows growing concerns regarding proposed legislative changes that leaders warn could significantly impact Aboriginal Land Rights and economic self-determination.

The mobilisation comes after the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) expressed strong opposition to the current iteration of the Bill during preliminary discussions with the Minister.

In response to the advocacy of local leaders, the NSW Government has agreed to delay the legislation for an additional four to six weeks, providing a critical window for the Land Council network to voice its grievances before the Bill returns to Parliament.

Orange LALC Chairperson, Jamie Newman, said the proposed changes pose a severe threat to the operational capacity of local councils, particularly regarding their ability to utilise land for community benefit.

“The Government’s proposed changes could severely impact local Aboriginal Land Councils. It’s vital the views of our network are understood before the legislation returns to the Parliament," he said.

“As Land Councils, we can’t sit on the sidelines and watch this Bill sail through parliament without having our voices heard.

"We ask government to listen to our concerns in good faith and work with us to address them,” Newman added.

The upcoming forum aims to unify the diverse voices of the state's Land Councils.

While Orange LALC has already proposed specific amendments, Newman clarified that individual councils must be empowered to represent their own unique community interests.

Central to the negotiations is ensuring that the final legislation does not impede the development of land for housing and broader economic opportunities.

“Local Aboriginal Land Councils know what’s best for our own communities. We’re hosting this forum to ensure local Aboriginal voices are heard at the highest levels of government.

“It’s vital we negotiate changes so it doesn’t prevent Land Councils being able to develop our land for housing and economic opportunities that will benefit the whole NSW community," stated Newman.

While the Government has indicated it intends to re-introduce the Bill and likely possesses the numbers to secure its passage, Land Council leaders remain committed to a robust and constructive negotiation process to safeguard the future of Aboriginal land management in New South Wales.