17 April, 2026
Following the introduction by the NSW Government by stealth of the Crown Lands Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 (the Bill) on 17 March 2026, the Land Rights Network united in a show of strength to oppose the Bill.
The strength and unity of the Land Rights Network succeeded in pausing the progress of the Bill through Parliament to allow the NSW Government to consult on the Bill.
But the fight is far from over.
Call for Unity
Following the Aboriginal Land Council Statewide Conference and initial protest actions at the end of March, NSWALC has been actively pursuing its strategy to defeat the Government’s attempt to hollow out the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.
We know that when our rights come under attack, success relies on our unity. Despite differences, our Network always comes together to fight for our common cause, and that is what is called for now.
The Council of NSWALC met on 14-15 April to confirm the ongoing strategy and called for a meeting of Land Rights leaders to provide an update on the work carried out to oppose the Bill and to seek guidance on the strategy moving forward.
Land Rights leaders join NSWALC’s call for Network unity and strength in a collective response to the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill. This is not the time for disunity.
Regional Forum Engagements
NSWALC will be convening online regional forums from next week (20 April) to bring the broader network leadership together again, to collectively campaign to block the Government’s Bill and ensure Land Rights are not hollowed out. More information will be circulated on Monday, 20 April, in advance of those sessions.
Our focus is on a unified approach across the Aboriginal Land Rights Network as we continue our efforts to oppose this Bill in its current form. Aboriginal Land Council’s need to stand together – maintaining a clear, consistent voice is our strongest asset in protecting our rights for future generations under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.
Tick-a-box consultation
NSWALC is aware that a meeting was recently held between an individual Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper on the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill. At the meeting, representatives of the LALC and their external advisors undermined the campaign against the Bill by:
- Presenting a position of their own, contrary to that agreed by delegates at the State-wide Conference,
- Accepting that the Minister’s deliberate, deceitful and discriminatory erosion of Aboriginal Land Rights was only an unintended consequence, despite the Minister recently admitting in the media that he is targeting the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983,
- Proposing ineffective and ill-conceived amendments to the Bill, without consultation with the Network.
- Offering up an opportunity for tick-a-box consultation before the next opportunity for the Bill to be passed.
Unilateral actions like this undermine the ability of the Network to advocate for the interests of all LALCs.
We respect the autonomy of every Local Aboriginal Land Council to advocate for their interests, but we cannot stand by silently when those actions will detrimentally impact all other Local Aboriginal Land Councils in NSW.
We understand an invitation has been sent to all Local Aboriginal Land Council CEOs and Chairs to participate in a consultation forum with Minister Kamper on the Crown Lands Bill on Tuesday, 28 April. This action is not endorsed by NSWALC and will provide the Minister with the tick-a-box consultation he is looking for to pass the Bill.
We strongly encourage all LALCs to attend regional forum engagements next week to be in an informed position before considering whether to attend the meeting on 28 April 2026.
Planned Protest Against the Bill
Land Rights leaders agree that a strong show of unity in opposition to the Crown Lands Bill is necessary.
We call on all Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Aboriginal Community Organisations, and all Community members to come together in protest of the NSW Government’s attempt to hollow out Aboriginal Land Rights.
Where: NSW Parliament, Macquarie Street Sydney
When: 6 May 2026
We will continue to share information with the Network as it comes to hand.
Together we stand, divided we fall.
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Get in touch: policy@alc.org.au
If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please contact the Strategy and Policy Unit – policy@alc.org.au.