The Walgett Community Working Party (WCWP) has gone it alone after the Aboriginal-controlled body split with the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly (MPRA).

The Assembly is a representative body that advocates to the NSW government on behalf of its member groups, but WCWP chair Garry Trindall said they were better off with a direct line to Macquarie Street.

Government agency Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW) certified the working party as a Local Decision-Making Alliance on 6 June.

"We found they weren't representing us," said Working Party Chair Garry Trindall.

"The chairpersons forward stuff up to Murdi Paaki, but nothing was being achieved.

"After we had the meeting and the resolution was passed, we just sent them an email and said 'that's it. We're finished.'"

AANSW Deputy Secretary and WCWP Chairperson Garry Trindall hold a certificate recognising the body an alliance under the Local Decision-Making framework. IMAGE: supplied

Mr Trindall said a working party meeting of about 30 people in March resolved to pull away from the Assembly.

After Walgett's withdrawal, the Assembly represents working parties in 15 far western communities including Lightning Ridge, Coonamble, Cobar, Broken Hill and Menindee.

Local Decision-Making alliances and assemblies are regional Aboriginal bodies that can sign accords with the NSW government and have input into how and what services are delivered to their communities.

The Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly was established in 2004 and signed the state first Decision-Making Accord in February 2015. 

Assembly chair Grace Gordon said the door is still open for future "re-engagement."

"While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, MPRA respects the community’s right to pursue its own self-determined pathway. Our Charter of Governance provides for communities to opt out of formal affiliation while still maintaining a voice through future re-engagement," Ms Gordon said.

"MPRA supports locally led decision-making but also advocates for a coordinated regional approach to service reform and government engagement."

MPRA delegates celebrated the Assembly's 20th birthday in June 2024. Left to right (seated): Michelle Kelly (Menindee CWP delegate), Catherine Cubby (MPSL TSEP staff member), Patricia Bates-Canty (Western NSW Local Health District), Grace Gordon (MPRA Independent Chairperson), Andrew Rose (Aboriginal Affairs NSW), Anthony Knight (Weilmoringle CWP Chairperson), Robin Brown (Weilmoringle CWP Secretary), Carmel King (Menindee CWP Members) and Elaine Ohlsen (Ngiyampaa Elder and Traditional Owner). PHOTO: MPRA

"Unfortunately, the NSW Government—specifically Aboriginal Affairs NSW —has undermined this regional model by supporting the formation of a single-community Alliance within the broader Murdi Paaki footprint.

"Overlapping alliances within a single region risk duplicating governance structures, blurring lines of accountability, and weakening the power of collective regional advocacy."

Ms Gordon said the agency contradicted its own policy for new alliances, updated in April 2025, which says their boundaries cannot intersect with another alliance.

She also said no other working party has formally indicated an intention to leave the Assembly.

A spokesperson for AANSW said they are committed to "supporting Aboriginal communities to determine their own futures."

"Aboriginal communities have continually expressed the need for government to listen to community voices, and AANSW continues to respect this principle," the spokesperson said.

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

The new alliance will cover Walgett, Ginge and Namoi.

Ms Gordon said the Assembly will hold a meeting in Walgett this month to "provide community members with the opportunity to determine how they wish to engage going forward."