Land Rights ( Mabo , Wik )

1. Land Rights (Mabo, Wik) By Brandon Henley-Smith & Julieanne Truong

2. ABORIGINAL RIGHTS • During the 70’s the Aborigine's were given rights. • Land Rights/Ownership was not included in these rights.

3. Eddie Mabo’s early Life • Born in Torres Strait islands in 1936 • Grew up tough, kick out of home and into the workforce early. • Opened the first black school in Townville in 1959 .

4. EARLY LIFE • Was a gardener at James Cook University in Townsville. • Through University, Mabo met people who had inspired him to fight for the freedom of the indigenous people.

5. Eddie Mabo • In 1982, Mabo pledged for ownership of the Murray islands. - He wanted to challenge the principal of “Terra Nullius”

6. The Case • Mabo’s team argued that the indigenous people were rightful owners of the Torres Straight islands. • They argued that the people did actually have a structured society and that the land was not “Terra Nullius”

7. The Case • It wasn’t easy for the team to turn over a two century long law. • The law had stated that Australia was taken over through “occupation”.

8. Closing Up • In early 1992, Eddie Mabo’s fight with cancer had ended and he had passed away. • The team continued to fight, and four months later the court made a historic decision to give ownership to the Meriam people.

9. After The Case • The Mabo Case didn’t just affect the people living the Torres Straight islands but all Indigenous people. • Aboriginal / Torres Straight Islanders were given the right to own land.

10. The Wik Case • The Wik people, are the Indigenous group towards North-east of Australia. • The Wik people claimed that they should still have full rights for land that is being leased.

11. The Wik decision • The Decision had stirred up some problems in federal politics. • The decision stated that the indigenous rights could still co-exist despite the property being leased.

12. CONCLUSION • All these cases have played a big role. • These cases still cause controversy despite being old.