Land Rights

Yirrkala People (Bark Petition)

Aug 15, 1963

Petitions from the Yulngu people from the Yirrkala tribe were the first traditional documents recognised by the Commonwealth Parliament and giving recognition of Indigenous people in Australian law.

Gurindji

Aug 22, 1966

Aboriginal stockmen had walked off the job on Wave Hill pastoral station, protesting for equal wages. This event had helped the land right legislation almost 10 years later.

Mabo

Jun 3, 1992

Eddie Koiki Mabo's campaign for Indigenous land rights had progressed to a decision of High Court of Australia which had successfully removed the legality of 'Terra Nullius'

Native Title Act

Jan 1, 1994

This act had supported the Mabo decision and was successful granting native title to the Aboriginals. The Australian legal system recognises native title where:

• The rights and interests are possessed under traditional laws and customs that continue to be acknowledged and observed by the relevant Indigenous Australians
  • By virtue of those laws and customs, the relevant Indigenous Australians have a connection with the land or waters
  • The native title rights and interests are recognise

Wik

Dec 23, 1996

This act was to balance the rights of the pastoralists and the rights of the Aboriginals, but placed more favour over pastoral title over natice title.

The Native Title Amendment Act

Jul 27, 1998

Enabled the granting of leases and other native title related acts.

Yorta Yorta v Victoria

Dec 12, 2002

Yorta Yorta people had claimed native title over an area in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW adn had appealed to the Federal court dismissing the claim. High Court rejected the appeal and clarified the law with respect to the evidence required to prove native title.

Tent Embassy Protest

May 16, 2012