Editors --- "Recent Happenings" [1997] IndigLawB 37; (1997) 4(1) Indigenous Law Bulletin 23
Recent Happenings
20 January
The President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Sir Ronald Wilson, criticised those seeking legislative extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases. He said that to do so would 'only threaten the social fabric of this country, wreak havoc on the reconciliation process, mar our international reputation and produce on-going conflict and endless litigation'.
20 January
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released spending figures for exploration on minerals and petroleum for the September 1996 quarter. A total of. $481 million was spent in Australia during the period, an increase of 12% - from the September 1995 quarter.
21 January
The Chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Mr Gatjil Djerrkura, said that any government reaction to the Wik decision should not include extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases, nor breaches of or changes to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
21 January
Rugby League footballer, Mr Wes Patten, was awarded $25,00 by the NSW Equal Opportunity Tribunal, which ruled that: he had been the subject of a racist slur by a police officer. The officer had referred to him as a `coon' in July 1991; the remark had been recorded by an ABC television crew and broadcast nationally in the documentary 'Cop It Sweet'.
23 January
Aboriginal leaders offered a-three year moratorium on pastoral lease claims to allow the proeess of negotiation over the ugh Court s Wik judgment to take place in a more conciliatory atmosphere, provided the Government lined out extinguishment of native title and respected the Racial Discrimination Act
29 January
Dr Lois O'Donoghue accused the Federal Government of pursuing a policy of assimilation in its management of Aboriginal affairs through its emphasis on 'citizen rights' at the expense of Indigenous rights' She also waived that moves to extinguish native title over pastoral Leases would lead to marches and demonstrations by Indigenous Australians, including during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
30 January
Mr Noel Pearson claimed that the Federal Government's refusal to agree to human rights clauses in international trade agreements was paving the way for the Government to set aside the Racial Dismmination Act to extinguish native title over land subject to pastoral leases.
10 February
The special Bill designed to allow the Hindmarsh Bridge to go ahead was blocked in the Senate. The ALP and minor parties refused to support the Bill, claiming it was discriminatory and would lead to more litigation. Prime Minister John Howard said he would a introduce the Bill as soon as possible rather than institute a fifth inquiry into the matter.
13 February
Negotiations over the proposed Cape York Century Zinc mine broke down. The matter will now go to arbitration.
13 February
Justice Robert French announced that he will cease to act as head of the National Native Title Tribunal at the end of his three year term effective 1 May 1,997.
17 February
The Sydney Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern was wound up with alleged debts of more than $2 million
19 February
The Deaths in Custody Summit called for an end to 'buck-passing' on the issue of the implementation of Royal Commission Into Aboriginal. Deaths in Custody recommendations, citing the deaths of 120 people in custody, and the 70% rise in Aboriginal incarceration since the Commission's inquiry finished in 1989.
21 February
The Queensland Supreme Court reserved its decision on a claim against the Victorian Government for $84 million, by descendants of two Aboriginal trackers who helped capture the Kelly gang.