Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)

Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 No 42

An Act to repeal the Aborigines Act 1969 and to make provisions with respect to the land rights of Aboriginal persons, including provisions for or with respect to the constitution of Aboriginal Land Councils, the vesting of land in those Councils, the acquisition of land by or for those Councils and the allocations of funds to and by those Councils; to amend certain other Acts; and to make provisions for certain other purposes. WHEREAS— (1) Land and waters in the State of New South Wales were traditionally owned and occupied by Aboriginal persons— (2) Land and waters are of spiritual, social, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal persons— (3) It is fitting to acknowledge the importance land and waters have for Aboriginal persons and the need of Aboriginal persons for land and waters— (4) It is accepted that as a result of past Government decisions the amount of land and waters set aside for Aboriginal persons has been progressively reduced without compensation— BE it therefore enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows—

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act This Act may be cited as the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

2 Commencement (1) Sections 1 and 2 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act. (2) Except as provided by subsection (1), the several provisions of this Act shall commence on such day or days as may be appointed by the Governor in respect thereof and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.

3 Purpose of Act The purposes of this Act are as follows— (a) to provide land rights for Aboriginal persons in New South Wales, (b) to provide for representative Aboriginal Land Councils in New South Wales, (c) to vest land in those Councils, (d) to provide for the acquisition of land, and the management of land and other assets and investments, by or for those Councils and the allocation of funds to and by those Councils, (e) to provide for the provision of community benefit schemes by or on behalf of those Councils.