The Importance of the Land Rights Movement Flashcards
Outline the importance of the following for the Land Rights movement: – Native Title – Mabo – Wik Analyse the importance of the Dreaming for the Land Rights movement
1963 Yirrkala Petition
Petitions to the government written on bark, protesting the taking of Aboriginal land by mining companies.
1965 Freedom Riders
30 university students led by Charles Perkins embarked on a bus tour of NSW towns to protest against racial discrimination.
1967 Referendum
27 May - Australia voted in favour of changes to the Constitution to count Aboriginal people in the census, and give government power to make laws concerning Aboriginal people.
1972 Tent Embassy
Tent on the front lawn of Old Parliament House on Australia Day. Became a focal point for protests regarding living standards and lack of action.
Mabo V Queensland 1992
Despite previous land rights legislation passed, Mabo V Queensland was the first case in law won by Indigenous peoples regarding ownership of land.
Eddie Mabo
Belonged to the Meriam people, from Murray Island in the Torres Strait.
Mabo overthrew legal … of … …
Fiction
Terra Nullius
Terra Nullius
Legal fiction that the land of Australia belonged to no one when European settlers arrived in 1788.
Native Title
The recognition in Australian law that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to hold rights and interests in land and waters.
Mabo Decision 1992
- Found native title existed in 1788
- Indigenous groups to continue to observe traditional laws and customs
- Native title extinguished over freehold land (suburban homes not at risk of land claims)
Native Title Act 1994
Recognised and acknowledged existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander native title rights in Australian federal law.
What occurred 1 year after the Mabo Decision?
June 1993 - Wik people claimed native title over traditional lands in Cape York Peninsula.
Which party amended the Native Title Act, and when were they elected?
Coalition (Liberal-National parties)
Elected 1996
Native Title Amendment Act
October 1998
Empowered states & territories to legislate own native title regimes.
