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Reclaim Murray Island
Torres Strait Islander Eddie Koiki Mabo, who is at the time working as a gardener at James Cook University in Townsville, finds out he does not own the land back on Murray Island where he grew up. -
Legal Claim
Mr Mabo, Sam Passi, David Pass, Celuia Mapo Salee and James Rice make a legal claim for ownership of their lands on Murray Island. -
Challenge 'terra nullius'
A land rights conference is held at James Cook University where Mr Mabo makes a speech outlining the land ownership and inheritance system on Murray Island. A lawyer at the conference suggests there should be a test case on claiming land rights through the court system. Central to the case is challenging the concept of terra nullius - that land claimed by Europeans on white settlement was uninhabited. -
Islands Declaratory Act Passed
The Queensland Government passes the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act in an attempt to negate any claims Torres Strait Islanders have to the land. The Act declares that when the Torres Strait Islands were annexed by the Queensland Government under the Coast Island Act in 1879, title to the islands was transferred to the state of Queensland and not subject to other claims. -
Invalid Act
The High Court finds the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act contravenes section 10 of the Federal Racial Discrimination Act 1975, and is therefore invalid. -
Win for Mer
The High Court rejects the notion of terra nullius and recognises the Meriam people as the native title holders of traditional lands on Murray Island. The ruling finds that native title exists separate from Crown claims to the land, as long as a connection to the land for people claiming native title remains. -
Native Title Act Passed
On November 16, the Native Title Act is tabled in Federal Parliament in response to the Mabo ruling. After 111 hours of debate, the longest in 92 years of Senate history, the bill passes. It recognises native title in situations where Indigenous people have maintained a connection with land and waters.