10 June 2015

Aboriginal Land Rights Act milestone celebrated

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 by releasing a new resource to celebrate the Land Rights network's achievements.

On 10 June 1983, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act was passed by the NSW Parliament, facilitating the return of land in New South Wales to Aboriginal people through claims over Crown Land.

NSWALC Chairman Craig Cromelin said the release of "Our Story, Our Rights, Our Future" was a fitting celebration of what the Land Rights network has achieved over the past 32 years.

"Today, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council is the largest Aboriginal organisation in Australia, providing leadership for a land rights network that has been self-funded since 1998."

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the network of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils we represent has been able to create and manage our own wealth base and encourage cultural, social and spiritual revitalisation."

"Under our Economic Development Strategy, NSWALC is investing $16 million over five years to support Local Aboriginal Land Council initiatives to grow our economy and build skills."

"This economic activity generated by the Land Rights network is benefiting Aboriginal people in New South Wales and the broader economy now and into the future."

Mr Cromelin said the Aboriginal Land Rights Act is progressive legislation that everyone in New South Wales should be proud of.

"Land is the asset base of our network and is of cultural, economic, social and spiritual significance. Our ability to claim and unlock the economic potential of land under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act is the best way we can continue to generate jobs and participate in the economy."

To download the "Our Story Our Rights Our Future" document visit /media/96549/Our%20Storie..._web.pdf.

For more success stories in Aboriginal Land Rights visit /media/91160/alc%20success%20stories_web.pdf

Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291