NSWALC congratulates new NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister

1 April, 2015

1 April 2015

NSWALC congratulates new NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council today congratulated new NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Leslie Williams and reiterated the peak body's willingness to work as partners with the NSW Government.

NSWALC Chair Craig Cromelin said the Council was looking forward to meeting with the new Minister and other Government ministers to discuss issues to strengthen the Land Rights network.

"The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 plays a key role in overcoming disadvantage by empowering Local Aboriginal Land Councils to continue to deliver the social, economic and cultural needs of our people.

"Since the Act was passed, successful land claims have allowed Aboriginal people to revitalise culture, manage our own wealth base and control our future.

"Governments and Local Aboriginal Land Councils are focused on how best to close the gap on disadvantage.

"The ability of Local Aboriginal Land Councils to leverage economic opportunities from their land is a key part of this and that's why we are progressing a five-year $16 million economic development policy to foster wealth creation across our network," he said.

Cr Cromelin thanked Mrs Williams' predecessor Victor Dominello for his dedication and commitment to Aboriginal people in New South Wales.

"The NSWALC thanks Minister Dominello for his hard work in guiding amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 through the Parliament and we look forward to working in partnership with Minister Williams," Cr Cromelin said.

Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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