Accusations fly in land council dispute

Members of the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council in the NSW Central West have claimed a lack of transparency and conflicts of interest in the NSW Land Council.

More than 40 people signed a petition of no confidence in the executive and called for an investigation late last month.

The OLALC sent letters to several Land Council members, accusing them of misconduct and banning them from attending meetings.

In an attempt to resolve the dispute an extraordinary meeting has been called for May 15.

The Land Council executive has denied attempting to silence members although several have claimed they have received threats for signing the letter.

OLALC member Jason French told the ABC he had received correspondence accusing him of verbally abusing an employee three years ago.

“They just want to silence people that speak up and question their actions and their motives behind what they’re doing within the land council,” he said.