Land and Culture
On 5 December 2011, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs announced a review of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA).
A specialist working group has been formed including representatives from the Aboriginal community to review the ALRA comprising of the following persons:
- Mr Stephen Wright, Registrar, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (Chair)
- Mr Geoff Scott, NSW Aboriginal Land Council CEO
- Ms Kristy Masella, Aboriginal Affairs, Group Manager, Social Justice
- Dr Richard Sheldrake, Director General of the Department of Primary Industries
- Mr Sean Gordon, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO
- Ms Stacey Meredith, Aboriginal Owner and member of Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The Terms of Reference of the review are to:
- Inquire into and make general recommendations as to whether the aims and objectives of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (the Act) require expansion or change of the Act in light of developments since 1983.
- Inquire into and make recommendations as to whether administrative and operational provisions within the Act require any change to facilitate and improve the efficacy of the Act.
- Report all findings and recommendations by 1 November 2012 incorporating public responses following a period of public consultation.
