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Terra Nullius
In the year 1770, Australia was declared to be Terra Nullius. This meant that no one owned or inhabited the land and therefore was allowed to be occupied by the British Empire. It was thought to be of Terra Nullius because Aboriginals didn't fence or farm their land like the British Empire did and therefore was "uninhabited". -
Start of the AAPA
AAPA (Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association) was founded by Fred Maynard and worked towards land rights for indigenous people and other ideas focused on Aboriginal rights. The members of the group made petitions, and made rallies. It was given a lot of attention and was doing well. It was eventually shut down due to a campaign against them. -
Day of Mourning
Before AAPA was shut down they organised a "Day of Mourning" to take place on Australia day (26th, Jan.). They walked in silent protest to Australia Hall. This was a day of mourning for the Aboriginal people of Australia, while for most of the white population it was a day of celebration for the 150th anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip claiming the land. -
Australian Freedom Ride
Inspired by the American Freedom Ride, Charles Perkins starts SAFA (Student Action for Aborigines). Charlies took a group of 30 white Australian students to the outback by bus for two weeks. By the end of the two weeks they all saw the poverty and racial discrimination directed at the Aboriginals. They then made rallies and fought against the discrimination, which gained a lot of attention. -
Aboriginal Lands Act 1966
The Aboriginals Land Act in 1966 was the first step and first law to recognise Aboriginals land rights. The law gave title to Aboriginals in South Australia. This meant that they are acknowledged and their connection to country is recognised. They also recognise their rights to land and water. This is different than land rights, which the definition of differs from state to state. Overall. it was a step towards land rights. -
Larrakia Petition
The petition was signed by 1000 people all across Australia. The petition argues about Terra Nullius and that it was in fact habited.They tried to show the petition to princess Margaret but when they passed police barriers they petition was torn. -
Aboriginal Tent Embassy
In front of the parliament house in Canberra a group of Aboriginals set up tents to silently protest against mining on Aboriginal land. Police where eventually called and when they were asked to remove their tents they said no. There was a loophole in the law meaning that up to 12 tents can in fact be set up before the parliament house. 2 hours after changing the law police forcibly removed them and many were sent to hospital. The embassy was reestablished later on. -
Pinitjantjatjara Land Rights Act
The Pinitjantjatjara people of South Australia get granted land: about 100000 square kms. This would be the first land granted to them legally. It was a big first step towards land rights. -
Pancontintinental Mining
Pancontintinental Mining, a mining company, decides to mine uranium at Jabiluka. Jabiluka is surrounded, but not apart of, Kakadu National Park. Years later thousands of people came to protest the mining and even blockade the mining. -
Eddie Mabo
Eddie Mabo, goes to high court for the Mabo Case. This case was an extremely important case in land rights. It challanged that Australia was of Terra Nullius. By the end native title was achieved meaning that the Murray people were recognised as the owners of the land.
