OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)

MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING

OVERVIEW

Membership of a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) is the key to

getting involved in the New South Wales land council network,
voting at local aboriginal land council meetings and elections, and
standing for election yourself.

A person is recognised as a LALC member only if their name is listed on the membership roll of that LALC. Membership of more than one LALC is allowed, but members can have voting rights at only one land council.

Membership decisions are made by the voting members of the LALC.

The provisions of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act that concern membership are in Part 5, Division 2, sections 53 to 60.

WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER?

An adult Aboriginal person can apply to become a member of a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) on the grounds that he or she

lives within the LALC area ('residence') or
has an association with land in the LALC area ('association') or
is an Aboriginal Owner in relation to land in the LALC area (i.e. listed on the Register of Aboriginal Owners).

An 'Aboriginal person' is defined by the Aboriginal Land Rights Act as someone who: