May 3, 2002 Media Release

RESPONSE TO ARALUEN RELEASE ON KOOMPAHTOO LALC

A dispute surrounding the transfer of funds raised by the mortgage of Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council land has been referred to the Registrar of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act under Section 59 of the Act, Veronica Graf, NSW Aboriginal Land Councillor for the Sydney /Newcastle Region, said today.

Councillor Graf was responding to a press release issued by the Araluen Aboriginal Corporation which reported that the Registrar General of the Land Titles Office placed a caveat on Koompahtoo's $30 million Morisset land grant.

"I would also like to clarify a mistake in the release. The release states that Koompahtoo office bearers did not inform NSWALC of the land disposal by way of mortgage. However, this is incorrect. In fact NSWALC approved the initial mortgage of $780,000 under Section 40d (1) (b) of the Act," Councillor Graf said.

"The dispute that has been referred to the Registrar is in relation to the subsequent $1.65 million mortgage and $1.95 million mortgage.

"We have been advised that the dispute may be subject to legal action and therefore cannot comment further on this issue at the present time."

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