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The Gurindji People and the Wave Hill Protest
The Gurindji people protested about the unfair payment and poor living conditions of Aboriginal workers. -
Liberal William McMahon government refused to recognise Aboriginal Land Rights
McMahon claims “land rights would threaten the tenure of every Australian." -
The Beginning of the Tent Embassy
Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey - began to set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy opposite the [old] Parliament House in Canberra overnight, starting with an Umbrella. These actions were symbolic of the first step in proclaiming Australia as Aboriginal land. Soon the protest grew and people began to set up their own tents and umbrellas – there were up to 2,000 supporters. -
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"Trespassing" Laws Were Made
The government created laws regarding “trespassing” on Commonwealth and not leased land. -
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The Tent Embassy Returns
The tent embassy returned after Aboriginal protestors staged a sit-in to get a meeting with Gough Whitlam, who by then had become Labour Prime Minister. Being the opposition leader, Whitlam had been to the embassy and met with the protesters, changing his party's policy to promise that Aboriginal people would be allowed land rights. This started the process that eventually led to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. -
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The Tent Embassy Continues
The tent embassy protest continued temporarily at various sites in Canberra – also including new Parliament House, but returned to its original setting on the 20th anniversary in 1992 and became a permanent site. -
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The Aboriginal Land Rights of 1976
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976 allowed people in the Northern Territory to claim the title to land. They could only claim the land if they could provide evidence of their traditional association with it and if the land was not already owned or leased by someone else.
Land that was used for mining could owned by the aboriginals, only but only in agreement with the title holders and with appropriate payments being channelled back to Aboriginal communities through land councils. -
Eddie Mabo Decision
Eddie Mabo took the case in Queensland where the High Court formally recognised native title as part of Australian land law.
The decision overturned the doctrine that Australia was 'terra nullius’ many times but on this day, it got approved. -
Late Apology
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a historic formal apology to Australia's Indigenous people.
"We reflect on their past mistreatment, we reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our national history” -
The 40th Anniversary of the Tent Embassy
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attended a function to participate in the 40th anniversary. The protestors were angered by comments made by Mr Abbott, as they saw him “calling for the removal of the Tent Embassy” -
Tent Embassy Stays
The tent embassy continues to be symbolic and existent today as it stays on the lawns of [old] parliament house. This remains a place where aboriginal can protest for aboriginal needs or seek shelter when they have no where to stay for the night. It’s good they have a place to stay/protest, however It’s a bad thing that aboriginals still HAVE to protest their rights and freedom.
