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Commonwealth of Australia formed
Indigenous Australians are excluded from the census and the census and the lawmaking powers of the Commonwealth Parliament. White Australian Policy. Indigenous people are excluded from the vote, pensions, employment in post offices, enlistment in Armed Forces, maternity allowance. -
Day of Mourning
Day of Mourning held by the Aborigines League (est 1932) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (1937). It is the first major protest by Indigenous people.The manifesto "Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights" and the newspaper "Abo Call" are published. -
Given the right to vote
All Indigenous people are given the vote in Commonwealth elections. -
Referendum held
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. -
Tent Embassy
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. -
Aboriginal Land Rights
Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) -
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises dispossession and displacement. -
Uluru
Uluru handed back to traditional owners. -
High Court
Mabo decision by the High Court overturns terra nullius and rules that native title exists over unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves. -
Native Title Act
Native Title Act. -
Howard Government elected.
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. -
Bringing Them Home Report
The report of the inquiry into the Stolen Generations, is released. It recommends a national sorry day to commemorate the history & effects of removing the children. PM Howard makes a personal apology, but refuses to 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. “Sea of Hands” outside Parliament House to support the reconciliation and the Wik decision. -
Native Title Amendment
Native Title Amendment Act 1998 is passed; seen by many to reduce native title rights for Indigenous people. First National Sorry Day – over 1 million signatures collected in Sorry Books. -
PM Kevin Rudd says "Sorry"
13th February: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says 'Sorry' to the Stolen Generations. -
PM Julia Gillard announces to recognise Indigenous Australians
8th November: Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces plans to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
