ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

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30th Anniversary of the Mabo Decision

01 June 2022
Jobs, Land and Economy
Media Release

Friday, 3rd of June 2022 marks 30 years since the High Court judgments of Mabo v Queensland (No.2).

Media release - North Queensland Land Council

Friday, 3rd of June 2022 marks 30 years since the High Court judgments of Mabo v Queensland (No.2), the landmark decision that overturned the myth that at the time of colonisation Australia was ‘terra nullius’ or land belonging to no one. Importantly it was these High Court judgments that inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law.

Since the Mabo Decision on 3 June 1992 and the passing of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) the following year, Australia has had 556 native title determinations. Sixty four of those being in the North Queensland region and 54 represented by the North Queensland Land Council.

As the 30th anniversary approaches, NQLC would like to formally recognise the plaintiffs in the Mabo v Queensland (No.2) case, Eddie Koiki Mabo, Father David Passi, Sam Passi, Celuia Mapoo Salee and James Rice. We also wish to acknowledge their legal representatives Greg McIntyre SC, Ron Castan AM QC, and Dr Bryan Keon-Cohen AM QC. We also pay our respects to the families and communities of all the aforementioned people who must also be recognised for their own work, dedication and support during those years.

NQLC proudly celebrates the 30 year anniversary of the Mabo decision, the 28 years since its own incorporation in 1996 and importantly, the hundreds of traditional owners we have had the honour to assist in achieving the recognition of their native title rights and interests in Australian law. It is a privilege and an honour held by the NQLC Board of Directors and all staff.

We look forward to continuing to uphold NQLC’s vision of a region in which the native title rights and interests of every native title holder has been legally recognised and in which our First Nations people benefit culturally, socially and economically from the secure possession of their traditional lands and waters.