Background
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 was introduced to acknowledge the impact of past government decisions that progressively reduced Aboriginal land without payment. This Act created a system for Aboriginal land rights, allowing for the return of eligible Crown land to Aboriginal ownership as compensation for the loss of their land
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983
The NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Bill was introduced to the NSW Parliament in 1983, and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 commenced operation on 10 June 1983. This Act allows Aboriginal land councils to lodge claims for the return of Crown land.
Amendments and current status
Since its introduction, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 has been amended to allow for greater economic opportunities from land holdings and to enable the sale or disposal of land granted to Aboriginal Land Councils. This system continues to the present day, providing a framework for Aboriginal land rights in NSW.
Aboriginal land claims – Consolidated Service Charter
The Aboriginal land claims – Consolidated Service Charter outlines the customer service commitments Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) can expect throughout Aboriginal land claim (ALC) processes.