April 2026

Aboriginal Lands Trust divestment update

Posted: April 30th, 2026

The State Government has commenced drafting the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Bill 2026 (WA) (the Bill), which will update the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 (WA) (the Act).

The Bill has been informed by public consultations with stakeholders from across the state (held in 2022) and will only impact land within the Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) estate which is reserved for the benefit of First Nations people, or held on behalf of First Nations people.

The WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) will be undertaking further targeted stakeholder engagement from April 2026 to provide an update on the proposal.

The proposed amendments to the Act aim to better reflect modern day objectives of the State Government and First Nations people, express that the Act is aware of the requirements of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the rights of Native Title Holders and Claimants, and create more streamlined processes. Find out more and read a summary of the proposed amendments on the DPLH website.

WA Housing Class Action update

Posted: April 29th, 2026

Slater and Gordon Lawyers filed a class action on behalf of First Nations tenants living in substandard public housing in remote regions of Western Australia in August 2024. It includes First Nations people who held a tenancy agreement with the WA Housing Authority or the State of Western Australia between 1 July 2010 and 1 December 2025 across WA, including in the Pilbara, Mid West, and Gascoyne regions.

The case argues the public housing landlord has breached contract and consumer laws, as well as having engaged in unconscionable conduct.

Since the case was launched, it has been expanded to bring claims under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), arguing that housing was provided to First Nations people on different and less-favourable terms than non-First Nations people.

The case has also had two ‘case management hearings’ before a judge, however a trial is not likely to happen until 2027.

Affected tenants are invited to sign up to receive updates on the case on the Slater and Gordon Lawyers website. For enquiries, email wahousingcorps@slatergordon.com.au.