Crown Land Management Amendment Bill - NSW Aboriginal Land Council

In March 2026, the NSW Government carried out a attack on Aboriginal Land Rights when it introduced the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 (the Bill) without consultation or notice.

The State Government suggested that the amendments were minor administrative changes…These changes were not minor.

The passing of the Bill in its current form would result in detrimental implications for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

Access to unused Crown Land is an avenue for justice for Aboriginal people. It’s an opportunity for infrastructure, self-determination, economic growth, and resources for Communities.

NSWALC and the Aboriginal Land Rights Network continue to oppose this Bill.

Learn the facts

What NSWALC is doing to oppose this Bill

Since NSWALC became aware of the Bill, we have executed a united and coordinated approach alongside a united Network to oppose it, and we demand consultation on the proposed amendments.

We remain united and in fierce opposition to the Bill and will continue our fight to see its dismissal from NSW Parliament.

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Crowd of protesters holding signs reading 'Our Land Rights Matter' and 'Land Rights for Future Generations NOW!' at an outdoor rally

Timeline

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17 March

The Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 was introduced by the Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, without consultation. In response, NSWALC urged Aboriginal communities and allies to stay informed, raise awareness, and engage with local MPs and the NSW Government.

22 March

We invited the entirety of the Land Rights Network and allies to sign our petition opposing the Bill, and have continued to do this since its creation. We need more than 20,000 e-signatures for this petition to be debated in NSW Parliament. The fight continues.

23 March

In Parramatta, NSWALC held day one of its first Statewide Conference (SWC) since 2018. The initial agenda for this conference was uprooted by the NSW Government’s attack on Land Rights.

24 March

On day 2 of the Statewide Conference, NSWALC and the Network demonstrated a show of strength to oppose the Bill through a protest and a press conference. The noise we made both in person and in the media resulted in the progress of the Bill being paused.

1 April

NSWALC held consultations with the Land Rights Network to understand local perspectives following the initial protest. The Land Rights Network continues its advocacy at a Community level and continues mobilising throughout the state.

14 April

NSWALC lodged a formal complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission regarding the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 and the discriminatory response from the public. We raised several serious concerns and argued that the Bill directly undermines Aboriginal land rights in NSW established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) (ALRA); rights held exclusively by Aboriginal people in the State.

6 May

NSWALC held its second protest and media event in Hyde Park before marching to NSW Parliament, standing alongside more than 700 members of our Network, allies and community to demand genuine consultation and protect our rights.

27 May

NSWALC created and distributed a paper petition to make it easier for people to show their opposition to the Bill. The petition requires 10,000 signatures to be debated in the NSW Parliament.

11 June

NSWALC held an extraordinary council meeting where we confirmed our pause in participation in Closing the Gap shared governance forums and NSW Government advisory committees as result of the Bill.

19 June

NSWALC publicly announced it received the draft amendments put forward by the NSW Government for review. The NSW Government sought feedback on the proposed amendments by 17 July 2026. While NSWALC welcomed the decision by the NSW Government to consult the Network, the consultation period was insufficient, being less than one month for the Network to consider the amendments, receive advice and provide a unified response back to the government.

20 June

Upon review of the proposed amendments, NSWALC stood firm that the Bill was, and still is, riddled with discriminatory elements that would disproportionately impact Aboriginal Communities. NSWALC raised concerns that the consultation period on these amendments was unsatisfactory and did not allow for genuine, meaningful consultation.

NSWALC requested an extension on the consultation period to July 31 2026.

1 July

The NSW Government granted an extension on the consultation timeframe until 31 July 2026. NSWALC is currently conducting consultation with the Network and encouraging LALCs to submit their feedback as part of this extended consultation process.

What’s next?

During this extended consultation period, NSWALC will work to ensure every member of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network has the opportunity to review the NSW Government's proposed amendments and raise any concerns before the consultation period concludes.

This consultation period is critical. While the extension provides an important opportunity for meaningful consultation, we must remember that justice delayed is not justice granted.

It is time to amplify our voiced concerns about this Bill and set the record straight, because the upholding of Aboriginal Land Rights and the general public’s use and enjoyment of community assets are not competing objectives.