Aboriginal Affairs and Lands Minister Ben Wyatt today announced Glen Kelly as the new chair of the Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT).
As a statutory board under the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972, the ALT has management responsibility for 10 per cent (24 million hectares) of Western Australia's land mass, and holds the land title for almost all WA's remote Aboriginal communities.
A Director at KPMG Consulting, Mr Kelly has more than 25 years' practice in advocacy, policy development, research and negotiation across native title and community and cultural development. His strong leadership credentials will help modernise the ALT estate and boost economic development.
Mr Kelly is a former CEO of the National Native Title Council and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. He is a serving member of the Reconciliation Australia Board of Directors and a past member of the ALT, WA Planning Commission and Conservation Commission of WA. He was the recipient of the Aboriginal Award in the 2019 Western Australian of the Year Awards.
Mr Kelly will take up the four-year appointment from January 1, 2020.
Outgoing Chair Dr Robert Isaacs AM announced his intention to retire from the position earlier this year and will remain a serving member of the ALT until June 30, 2020.
More information about the ALT is available online at: http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/alt
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs and Lands Minister Ben Wyatt:
"I congratulate Mr Kelly on his appointment to Chair of the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
"Mr Kelly has forged a distinguished career in reconciliation and corporate consultancy and is well placed to lead the future management of the ALT estate.
"His leadership in the development of the South West Native Title Settlement was outstanding.
"He has a demonstrated commitment to the State's environmental and cultural assets, and the specific needs of Aboriginal communities and land holdings.
"Mr Kelly's strong leadership and connection to Aboriginal culture and communities will serve to modernise the ALT estate and ensure the smooth transition of lands to the direct control of the traditional owners that will unlock positive cultural and economic opportunities.
"Dr Isaacs is a widely respected Aboriginal elder with more than 40 years of valuable service to Aboriginal housing, health, local government and the community and I thank him for his leadership and dedicated focus on the strategic vision of the ALT throughout his tenure."
Minister's office - 6552 5900
