Indigenous Rights Movements

By dhathribellave

  • Commonwealth of Australia Formed

    The commonwealth of Australia is formed. Indigenous Australians are excluded from the census and the lawmaking powers of the commonwealth parliament.

  • White Australian Policy

    Indigenous people are excluded from the vote, pensions, employment in post offices, enlistment in Armed Forces, maternity allowance.

  • Day of Mourning

    The Day of Mourning held by 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.

  • Commonwealth Elections

    All Indigenous people are given the vote in Commonwealth elections.

  • Referendum

    Referendum held-90.7% of Australians vote YES to count Indigenous Australian in the census and to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws for them.

  • Tent Embassy

    Tent Embassy established outside Parliament House. It adopts the Indigenous flag

  • Whitlam Government Elected

    Whitlam Government Elected; White Australia Policy abolished. Department of Aboriginal Affairs established. Self determination adopted as policy for Indigenous people.

  • Gurindgi people

    Whitlam hands back title to Gurindgi people.

  • Racial Discrimination Act (1975)

    The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) is passed.

  • National Aborigines Week

    Aboriginal Day extended to National Aborigines Week.

  • Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT)

    Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) established

  • Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NSW)

    Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises dispossession and displacement.

  • Uluru Land Owners

    Uluru handed back to traditional owners.

  • High Court decision on Terra Nullius and rules

    Mabo decision by the High Court overturns terra nullius and rules that native title exists over unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves.

  • Native Title Act

    Native Title Act

  • Howard Government

    Howard Government elected.

  • Wik decision

    The High Court rules in the Wik decision that native title and pastoral leases can co-exist.

  • One Nation Party campaign

    Pauline Hanson and her One Nation Party campaign against what they say is "special treatment" for Aboriginal people.

  • Commonwealth Parliament on reconciliation

    Commonwealth Parliament makes statement of commitment to Reconciliation