NSWALC welcomes reappointment of Minister Scullion

19 July, 2016

NSWALC welcomes reappointment of Minister Scullion

19 July 2016

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has welcomed the reappointment of Senator Nigel Scullion to the Turnbull Cabinet as Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said Minister Scullion was well-known to the Land Rights network in New South Wales.

"Minister Scullion has a strong understanding of the Land Rights system in New South Wales and how the gains from successful land claims are transforming the lives of Aboriginal people in this state.

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council looks forward to working closely with Minister Scullion in a new Parliament that contains more Aboriginal representatives than ever before."

Cr Ah-See said Government, Opposition and cross benches will include at least five Aboriginal representatives, including Linda Burney in New South Wales.

"They have an important opportunity to work together to strengthen Land Rights, close gaps in health, education and employment, help reduce the explosion in incarceration rates and achieve constitutional recognition," he said.

Cr Ah-See said the increased mainstream political involvement comes at a time when participation in Aboriginal elections was also strengthening.

"At the NSW Aboriginal Land Council elections in October last year, we generated a more than seven percent increase in voter turnout. This greater political participation by our mob is not only good for Aboriginal people but also Australian democracy."

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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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