The Movement of Indigenous Rights

By Alishaprasad06

  • 1938

    Day of Mourning held by the Aborigines League (est 1932) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (1937). The first major protest by Indigenous people. The manifesto "Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights" and the newspaper are given the vote in Commonwealth elections.

  • 1962

    All Indigenous people are given the vote in Commonwealth elections.

  • 1967

    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.

  • 1972

    Tent Embassy established outside Parliament House. It adopts the Indigenous flag. Whitlam Government elected; White Australia policy abolished. Department of Aboriginal Affairs established. Self-determination adopted as policy for Indigenous people.

  • 1975

    Whitlam hands back title to Gurindji people. Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) passed. Aboriginal Day extended to National Aborigines Week.

  • 1976

    Aboriginal Lands Rights Act (NT)

  • 1983

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

  • 1985

    Uluru handed back to traditional owners.

  • 1992

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

  • 1993

    Native Title Act.

  • 1996

    Howard Government elected. The High Court rules in the Wik decision that native title and pastoral leases can co-exist. Pauline Hanson and her One Nation Party campaign against what they say is "special treatment" for Aboriginal people. Commonwealth Parliament makes statement of commitment to Reconciliation.

  • 1997

    PM Howard makes a personal apology to the Stolen Generations, but refuses to make an official apology on behalf of Australia. At the National Reconciliation Conference on 27th May, hundreds of people turn their backs on Howard during his speech, in protest at his refusal to apologise to the Stolen Generations. "Sea of Hands" outside Parliament House in Canberra in support of reconciliation and the Wik decision.

  • 1998

    Native Title Amendment Act 1998 is passed; seen by many to reduce native title rights for Indigenous people.

  • 2008

    13th February: Prime Minister Kevid Rudd says 'Sorry' to the Stolen Generations.

  • 2010

    8th November: Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces plans to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.