Statement follows Four Corners report on Karuah Aboriginal Land Council

This story was about the Obeids, it wasn't about Len Roberts, Mr Roberts said.

But, others have wished to make political mileage out of the story for their advantage.

"I question the timing of the show and the subsequent campaign of vilification."

Mr Roberts said he was led to believe the current affairs program was to show the effect of COVID escapees from the cities to small retirement villages like Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.

"I was asked to gather community leaders together so they could share their views on that specific topic."

However, that segment was not televised.

"They, like me, felt duped by Four Corners."

Mr Roberts described the Four Corners report as "deceptive journalism".

"The selling of land was essential given the Land Council's poor financial situation at the time," he said.

When he assumed the three-year voluntary role as Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Mr Roberts said it was 'absolutely broke'.

"I was told that unless they had a CEO they were going to be wound up.

"One of the things I was charged to do, was to start selling land to get the land council out of its financial trouble.

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"We saw there was going to be an opportunity to sell the land, they were extremely interested, we then had to trigger and follow the procedures of the Land Rights Act."

Sold for $1.5 million, Mr Roberts said the land was disposed of well over the $750,000 market valuation.

"I had the full support of the Land Council to move forward with the sale at the time.

"People knew about it.

"We sent out a letter to every member to tell them about the meeting,"

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