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Crown Land Management Amendment Bill

Aboriginal Land Rights in NSW is under attack following the introduction of the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill (the Bill) by the Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper and his Office. Without consultation or notice the Bill 2026 was introduced in Parliament under the guise of “miscellaneous minor amendments”. They are not minor.

This is an attack by stealth.

The NSW Government deliberately introduced an amendment to another Bill to hollow out Aboriginal peoples’ rights under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA) – one of the most significant land restitution frameworks in Australia.

If passed, the changes will erode Land Rights in NSW and overturn more than 40 years of hard work by the Aboriginal Land Rights Network to return land to our people. Read our fact sheet to better understand the claims being made by the NSW Government and the facts behind this Bill.

We cannot allow this to happen.

Protest scene with people holding signs saying 'Hands Off Our Land Rights' and 'They're Coming for Us'; a man with a megaphone speaks, Aboriginal flag in foreground.

What NSWALC is doing to oppose this Bill

When we found out about the Bill, we acted immediately to prevent the Bill from progressing, and as a result, its passage has been delayed for further consultation. As soon as we became aware of it, we moved quickly – securing meetings with key parliamentarians across the political spectrum to communicate the immediate risk this Bill possessed to Aboriginal Land Rights in NSW.

We raised serious concerns directly with the NSW Government, including through meetings with the Premier’s Office and multiple ministerial teams. However, these concerns were not heard, including by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, or Minister Kamper.

Given this, we have taken this issue beyond closed-door conversations to demand broader attention from the State Government and Parliament. Last month, we held a gathering and press conference in front of NSW Parliament with representatives from the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network. The goal was to amplify our message through the media.

We succeeded in doing that, and as a result the Bill has been delayed to allow for proper consultation. Our work is not yet done. We need to continue to build on our momentum and in order to do so we need support from the community and our allies.

How you can support the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network

We ask you to join us in opposing this Bill. There are three key ways you can help stop the Minns Government and the Kamper office from progressing it.

Sign the petition

This petition is an opportunity to stand alongside the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network in opposition to this Bill.

If we secure 20,000 signatures, our petition will be tabled for debate in the NSW Parliament’s lower house – an important step in building visibility and pressure.

Every signature matters.

Sign the petition

Please note: we are not collecting donations or any proceeds. If prompted to donate that money does not go to NSWALC.

Sign our open letter

We have drafted an open letter to the Minns Government outlining our deep concerns about the Bill.

Download and sign the letter to formally register your opposition, then email the signed PDF to policy@alc.org.au.

Download and sign the open letter
Send a letter to your local MP

We have prepared a template letter and key information to make it easy for you to contact your local MP and raise your concerns directly.

Sending a letter is one of the most effective ways to ensure your local representative understands the strength of community opposition to this Bill.

If you have any questions or would like to know how you can support the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network, please contact the Strategy and Policy Unit – policy@alc.org.au.

Download the template letter

More information about the Bill

Learn more about the Bill and our advocacy by reading previous Network Messages.

Teal banner with decorative floral motif and large 'Network Message' text; on the right, orange and red blocks read 'Land Rights Protest Final Reminder & Transport Schedule' on a black background.
Land Rights Protest – Final Reminder & Transport Schedule

5 May, 2026

Media Release graphic: orange left panel with floral motifs and the text about NSW Land Rights Network's opposition to the Crown Lands Bill.
Overwhelming Majority of NSW Land Rights Network in Full Support of Opposition On Crown Lands Bill

5 May, 2026

Banner graphic: teal left with 'Network Message' and decorative circles; black right with orange ribbons listing 'Land Rights Protest', 'Transport and Details', 'Crown Lands Bill'.
Land Rights Protest – Transport and Details

5 May, 2026

Teal banner with floral patterns and the text 'Network Message' on the left; on the right, black area with teal and red ribbons reading 'Protest Information: Take Action Against The Crown Lands Bill'.
Protest Information – Take Action Against The Crown Lands Bill

1 May, 2026

Banner announcing 'Network Message' with teal left and decorative motifs; black right side lists 'Reminder' and 'Call For Unity and Protest On The Crown Lands Bill'
Reminder: Call For Unity and Protest On The Crown Lands Bill

29 April, 2026

Banner with teal left panel and floral motif; lists protest topics: Aboriginal Land Rights, Protest in Hyde Park, Crown Lands Bill.
Aboriginal Land Rights Protest in Hyde Park, Sydney to Stop the Crown Lands Bill

24 April, 2026

Banner graphic: teal left panel reading 'Network Message' with floral motif; right side shows stacked orange ribbons stating a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission about the Crown Lands Bill.
Complaint Lodged With The Australian Human Rights Commission On The Crown Lands Bill

22 April, 2026

Teal panel with 'Network Message' and floral motif; black area with orange bars 'Update On' and 'Crown Lands Management Bill' and red 'Call For Unity'.
Update On Crown Lands Management Bill – Call For Unity

17 April, 2026

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The Crown Lands Management Amendment Bill 2026 Update

08 April, 2026

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Attributable to New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council’s Chairperson, Dr Raymond Kelly

2 April, 2026

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Crown Land Management Amendment Bill – Updated LALC Letter Template

27 March, 2026

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Update on Crown Lands Bill – An Update from Chair

27 March, 2026

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NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network Convenes Emergency Meeting In Parramatta As Part Of Statewide Conference To Oppose Crown Lands Bill

23 March, 2026

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Crown Land Management Amendment Bill – Explained & What LALCs Need To Know

22 March, 2026

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NSW Labor Government Hollowing-Out Aboriginal Land Rights and Public Protections On Public Land By Stealth

22 March, 2026

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Labor Government Abolishes Aboriginal Land Rights In NSW By Stealth – Call For Action

20 March, 2026

How you can stay updated

Over the coming months, NSWALC and the broader Aboriginal Land Rights Network will continue to oppose this Bill.

Follow our social channels to stay informed and find further ways to stand with us:

Your Feedback

 All comments are welcome. Comments should be received by Wednesday, 21 June 2023, and can be submitted via the following:

by post

PO Box 1125,

Parramatta NSW 2124

 

If you wish to talk through your feedback on the draft NSWALC Strategic Plan Supplement 2023-2026, please contact the NSWALC on 02 9689 4444.

Please follow the links below for the draft NSWALC Strategic Plan Supplement 2023-2026 and NSWALC Strategic Plan 2022-2026.