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Day Of Mourning
held by the Aborigines League (est 1932) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (1937). It is the first major protest by Indigenous people. The manifesto “Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights” and the newspaper “Abo Call” are published. -
Right to vote
All Indigenous people are given the vote in Commonwealth elections. -
Aboriginal census referendum
Referendum held – 90.7% of Australians vote YES to count Indigenous Australians in the census and to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws for them. -
adoption of indigenous flag
Tent Embassy established outside Parliament House. It adopts the Indigenous flag. -
Land Returned Back
Whitlam hands back title to Gurindji people -
racial discrimination
Racial Discrimination act 1975 (Cth) passed -
Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT)
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Dispossession and displacement
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises dispossession and displacement -
High Court overturns terra nullis
Mabo decision by the High Court overturns terra nullis and rules that native title exists over unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves. -
Howard Government elected
The High Court rules in the Wik decision that native title and pastoral leases can co-exist -
bringing them home report
Bringing Them Home, the report of the inquiry into the Stolen Generations, is released. It recommends a national sorry day to commemorate the history and effects of removing children from their families. -
Native Title Amendment Act 1998
Native Title Amendment Act 1998 is passed; seen by many to reduce native title rights for Indigenous people. -
National Sorry Day
over 1 million signatures collected in Sorry books -
Kevin says 'Sorry'
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says 'sorry' to the stolen generations -
Indigenous recognition
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces plans to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.