Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly (MPRA) is pushing to reestablish itself in Walgett after the local Community Working Party broke away from the body in June this year.

The region's long-standing Indigenous representative body held a 'refresh' meeting at the Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Council on Wednesday 26 November.

MPRA chair Grace Gordon said they elected Norma Walford to chair a new local arm. 

Another local chair had been appointed earlier in the year, although Ms Gordon said they passed away shortly after, which required time for "sorry business" before electing a replacement.

"We had interested community elders and leaders that were in attendance at the meeting," Ms Gordon said.

"We'll just work with the Community Working Party, as we do with all other ones in the Assembly team, and what decisions that they make for their community will be the things implemented for them.

"We as First Nations people need to be all working together to achieve the same outcome."

Ms Gordon declined to say precisely how many people attended.

Murdi Paaki re-signed an agreement in 2020 which recognised them as an Aboriginal representative body able to negotiate with the NSW government. Local representatives pictured here include Coonamble, Walgett, Cobar and Goodooga. [IMAGE: Aboriginal Affairs NSW]

Murdi Paaki is officially recognised as a Local Decision-Making alliance/assembly, which allows them to advocate and negotiate with the NSW government on behalf of member communities.

When the Walgett Community Working Party (WCWP) split from the Assembly, government agency Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW) certified them as an independent alliance.

An AANSW spokesperson said both groups are able to operate in the same area, although the agency's criteria for new alliances says boundaries should not intersect.

"Aboriginal Affairs NSW is committed to supporting and working with all Aboriginal communities to determine their own futures and achieve their aspirations through all forms of community governance," the spokesperson said.

"Local Decision Making models are continually evolving which is reflected in the diversity of models already in existence across NSW. "

Groups also must be recognised within their boundaries as "legitimately representing the interests of the Aboriginal communities" in their footprint. 

Walgett Community Working Party Alliance chair Garry Trindall said Murdi Paaki's renewed push to represent Walgett will "split the community."

"We're going to keep going with what we've got going," he said.

"We're going to be driven by the community, and we're going to do what the community wants."

Mr Trindall previously said they left the Assembly over what he called a lack of representation.

Ms Gordon declined to comment on potential overlap between the two Aboriginal community working party groups in Walgett.