An independent review has cleared the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council (OLALC) of any wrongdoing and found that it has met its statutory obligations relating to disclosure to members.
The review, conducted by Reay McGuinness, a partner of Webb Henderson Solicitors, spoke to 36 witnesses and considered thousands of LALC documents.
Mr McGuiness found the OLALC Board had “complied with its statutory obligations of disclosure to members” in relation to a shared services agreement it had undertaken with the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service and a proposed subsidiary company to manage the organisation’s land assets.
The review also found: “no evidence that employees have been appointed to positions not on merit but because of family connections”; and
“no evidence of material financial mismanagement that would warrant review, in particular the appointment of a forensic accountant.”
In May of this year, Orange became the first Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) in NSW to commission an independent review into its own governance.
The review followed claims of nepotism and financial mismanagement made by a small number of members associated with the previous leadership of the Land Council.
Although the members presented no evidence to support their claims and the Registrar and New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council did not consider they warranted investigation, the OLALC Board felt that the serious nature of the allegations warranted a review.
While the Review found no evidence of wrongdoing, it did include recommendations to improve OLALC’s processes around transparency, better management of perceived conflicts of interest, meeting procedures and communications with members.
OLALC Chairperson, Jamie Newman said the Land Council would implement all the review recommendations.
“Just meeting our statutory obligations is not good enough. We want to continually improve and be the best Land Council we can be. Implementing all the review recommendations will help us do that,” Mr Newman said.
Mr Newman said the review was essential for self-determination and transparency.
“Self-determination isn’t just about rights, but also responsibilities and accountability. That’s why this review was essential,” he said.
Mr Newman urged members to accept the Review’s findings and get behind the purpose of the Land Council.
“Our Land Council plays a vital role in supporting the Aboriginal people of Orange, promoting economic development and protecting culture.”
“We can’t allow ourselves to be diverted by personal grudges, petty vendettas and malicious claims with no evidence to support them. It’s time to end the distractions and recommit to working together for the Aboriginal families of Orange,” Mr Newman said.
A copy of the review report has been sent to the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council.
Media contact: Gary Highland on 0418 476 940
About the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council
The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council (OLALC) is one of the most successful local Aboriginal Land Councils in NSW.
It was the first LALC to successfully negotiate an Aboriginal Land Agreement with state and local governments. This will see 86 hectares of land transferred to the Land Council, including the velodrome, oval, netball courts and clubhouse at Moulder Park, Orange.
OLALC also finalised NSW’s first place based Close the Gap plan in conjunction with other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in Orange.
OLALC runs a number of services in Orange and throughout the central west to overcome homelessness, help people into work, assist women and children to flee violence and strengthen local families. Additional programs include:
- Ngurang-gu Yalbilinya (NGY) Program – Cultural education and school-based engagement.
- Land Development and Planning – WOS entity being developed to manage land development transparently.
- Aboriginal Men and Women’s Programs – Culturally grounded healing and leadership activities.
- Employment and Skills Training – Partnerships with TAFE, Aboriginal Employment Strategy, and community employers.
- Children & Schooling
- Youth and Young people programs
- Social Emotional & Wellbeing program for individuals and families