NSW Aboriginal Land Council opposes crown land bill

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council is criticizing proposed legislation that would alter how crown land is allocated in New South Wales. The bill, introduced by the Labor government, has passed the upper house despite significant opposition from Indigenous leaders.

Critics argue the legislation allows the government to retrospectively amend crown leases, which could impact more than 43,000 undetermined Aboriginal land claims. Raymond Kelly, chair of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, described the proposal as ‘bad law’ and rejected rhetoric characterizing Indigenous land claims as ‘land grabs.’

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated the reform aims to prevent the loss of community land to land claims across the state, asserting the government does not intend to be antagonistic toward land councils. Meanwhile, community and sporting organizations have urged the bill’s passage to resolve uncertainty caused by ‘ambiguous laws’ regarding land use.