Largest Aboriginal organisation left out of talks on Constitutional recognition

3 July, 2015

3 July 2015

Largest Aboriginal organisation left out of talks on Constitutional recognition

Australia's largest Aboriginal organisation - the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) - has expressed disappointment at being snubbed by organisers of a key meeting on Monday to discuss the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous people.

NSWALC Chairman Craig Cromelin said the decision to not invite the directly-elected peak body for Land Rights in NSW to a meeting held on Aboriginal land in Sydney was a regrettable oversight.

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council is the largest Aboriginal organisation in the country representing more than 23,000 members and 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in New South Wales.

Cr Cromelin said the NSW Aboriginal Land Council had an active interest in the journey to Recognition and had made submissions to the Joint Select Committee tasked with progressing a referendum on the issue.

"With such an important event being held on Aboriginal land in New South Wales, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council expected to be given the basic courtesy of being invited to speak on behalf the Land Rights network."

Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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