The coming weekend marks the election for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), where representatives will be elected in the four regions that cover the Western Plains; North West, Central, Western, and Wiradjuri.

Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO John Reidy said that electing the right candidate is crucial to being heard on the local level. 

“There are multiple land councils across the region who don’t have a voice at the peak level,” Mr Reidy said.

“These elections are really important to ensure that we get strong representatives for our region to make sure that we don’t miss out like has happened plenty of times in the past.”

For the past four years, Anne Dennis has been the councillor for the North Western region, while Ross Hampton has represented the Western region and Leeanne Hampton the Wiradjuri region.

Grace Toomey held the councillor role in the Central region until late 2023, when she stood down after undertaking secondary employment without approval and becoming disqualified from holding office. 

Since then, the Central region has had no councillor in the position. 

This year, Ms Toomey is uncontested in the Central region.

In the upcoming election, North Western region has three people on the ballot; Anne Dennis (Walgett), Garry Trindall (Walgett) and Joe Flick (Collarenebri).  

The Western region, which is responsible for Cobar and further west, also has three candidates; Walpa Thompson, Ross Hampton, and Denis O’Donnell, all of whom are from the far west. 

Eligible voters in Condobolin will vote for the Wiradjuri ALC region, with candidates Leeanne Hampton and Judy Bell. 

To be eligible to vote, a person must have been enrolled as a voting member of a LALC by 6 December 2023. 

“It is important we have a strong voter turnout so Aboriginal peoples can have a say in setting the future direction of NSWALC,” Mr Deen said. 

“This democratic process is fundamental to the principles of self-determination and community empowerment.”

“The new Council will also be responsible for the allocation of Council’s resources and making decisions on a range of important issues affecting Aboriginal people in New South Wales.”

Voting will commence at 8am on Saturday, 24 February until 6pm. A list of polling places can be found here.