NSWALC pauses Closing the Gap participation over Crown Land bill

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has paused participation in Closing the Gap governance forums and NSW Government advisory committees while it considers proposed amendments to the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill.

The move came after critical meetings with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, and Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper.

Key Points

In an extraordinary Council Meeting on June 11, NSWALC confirmed it would suspend involvement in Closing the Gap governance forums and related NSW Government advisory committees pending review of amendments promised by the State Government to the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill).

According to NSWALC, Minister Kamper confirmed that amendments intended to address serious concerns raised by NSWALC and the Land Rights Network would be circulated to Aboriginal Land Councils by the end of next week.

NSWALC stated it will carefully assess the proposed changes against the preservation of Land Rights before making a formal decision on its future participation in Closing the Gap at a meeting scheduled for the end of June. Both Ministers have been invited to attend that meeting.

NSWALC emphasised that the pause was directly tied to its assessment of the amendments and reiterated its complete opposition to the Bill in its current form. The Council said the Bill, if passed as it stands, would have devastating impacts on Aboriginal people in New South Wales. NSWALC affirmed it will keep the Network informed of further developments.

Stakeholders and stated rationale

NSWALC framed the decision as a measured response to concerns about the Bill’s implications for Land Rights and as leverage to ensure any legislative changes are tested against those rights. The Council stated that it remained a committed member of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) and that this step does not diminish its broader commitments.

NSWALC said it will continue to support CAPO’s role as a united Aboriginal voice advocating for structural reform, Aboriginal rights and self-determination in New South Wales.

In its statement, NSWALC underscored that pausing participation in Closing the Gap forums and advisory committees does not lessen its focus on improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, nor its dedication to advocacy, reform and collaboration with Aboriginal organisations. The Council said it will continue to pursue priority outcomes for Aboriginal communities across NSW, including:

• Land rights
• Housing
• Water justice
• Economic development
• Self-determination

NSWALC reiterated that it remained completely opposed to the Bill as currently drafted, and that it considers the Bill’s passage in its present form to be harmful to Aboriginal people in New South Wales.

Beyond the immediate procedural steps, the Council’s stance indicates a broader insistence that legislative reform relevant to Crown land must be assessed through the lens of Land Rights.