Editors --- "Recent Happenings" [1997] IndigLawB 37; (1997) 4(1) Indigenous Law Bulletin 23

• Recent Happenings
• 20 January
• 20 January
• 21 January
• 21 January
• 23 January
• 29 January
• 30 January
• 10 February
• 13 February
• 13 February
• 17 February
• 19 February
• 21 February

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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.