The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has announced it will pause participation in Closing the Gap governance forums and NSW government advisory committees, amid a dispute over proposed changes to Crown land laws.
The decision, confirmed at an extraordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 11 June, comes as NSWALC and the broader Land Rights Network raise serious concerns about the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill 2026.
NSWALC said it remains "completely opposed to the Bill in its current form," warning that if passed without amendment, the legislation would have "devastating impacts on Aboriginal people in NSW."
The pause is conditional and temporary.
NSWALC has said it will carefully consider proposed amendments to the Bill before making a formal decision on its future participation in Closing the Gap at a meeting scheduled for the end of June.
Both the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, and the Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, have been invited to attend.
A spokesperson for Minister Kamper said the government had already paused the Bill after pushback from Aboriginal communities, and had since met directly with interested Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) and their representatives.
"Following the response from the State's Aboriginal community, the government paused the Bill to enable further consultation with Aboriginal Land Councils on certain provisions before debate resumes in Parliament," the spokesperson said.
"All NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils will be invited to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Bill."
The spokesperson said the government was seeking a balanced outcome for all parties.
"We want a system that works for everyone — one that can activate unused land for Local Aboriginal Land Councils, whilst also ensuring vital community assets like well-used sporting fields, fire stations, surf clubs and community centres can operate with certainty."
The spokesperson also reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Closing the Gap framework, describing it as "a top priority" and pledging to work "in partnership with Aboriginal Peoples to realise their aspirations and improve outcomes."
NSWALC said it will remain a member of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) and continue to support its role as a unified Aboriginal voice advocating for structural reform, Aboriginal rights and self-determination.
The Council stressed the pause does not signal a retreat from its broader advocacy, saying it would continue to pursue "land rights, housing, water justice, economic development and self-determination outcomes for Aboriginal communities across NSW."
