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NSW Land Council cleared of mismanagement

July 27, 2025

An Aboriginal Land Council in New South Wales has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation into its practices, but will undergo a review after allegations of mismanagement.

The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council was accused of nepotism and financial mismanagement after over 40 people signed a letter of no confidence in staff in April.

A subsequent legal review has recommended a number of changes the organisation could make.

35 members of the council were interviewed as part of the process by commercial lawyer Reay McGuiness.

“The board has complied with its statutory obligations of disclosure to members … and I (Reay McGuiness) have seen no evidence that employees have been appointed to positions not on merit but because of family connections,” the summary stated.

But several petitioners said they still had no confidence in the council or the review.

Peter Rowe

Peter Rowe leads First Nations News as Editor, with over three decades of experience across international newsrooms, digital platforms and media strategy roles. For the past 20 years, he’s worked in Australia – reporting, editing and advising on stories that shape public debate.