Information report
The main changes in legislation that have affected Indigenous Australians is the
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. This change will be seen in the Northern
territories. This act was introduced on 16 October 1975, enacted in 1976. This is the
first act that made the Aboriginal people have rights to have their own land back.
More than 50% of the Northern Territory gave back to Aboriginal owners during
the next 30 following years. In the 1967 Referendum - 91% Australians 'Yes', to
giving Aboriginal people their land back.
From the Aboriginals perspective, invasion of their country is a felony. It's a formal
declaration of war. The colonisers forced Aboriginal people off the fertile lands and
into controlled settlements, justifying their acts by their belief in the supremacy of
their civilization. 'Native reserves' were formed in parts of the Northern Territories
that were inaccessible and unwelcome (by non-Aborigines). Many of their people
worked on cattle ranches and were underpaid. Aboriginal people fought valiantly
to protect their homeland, but arrows and boomerangs were no match for
bullets, and hundreds of Aboriginal people were slaughtered. This act gave them
hope for living their normal lives back and they would also have the rights and say
to what happens to their own lands.
There were functions and responsibilities that this act had. Firstly, it would
express the wishes of Aboriginal people about the management of their land and
legislation about their land. It would also protect the interests of traditional
Aboriginal owners of land; assist Aboriginal people to protect sacred sites,
whether or not on Aboriginal land. The Land Council must consult with traditional
landowners and other Aborigines with an interest in the land. The Land Councils
also must: attempt to conciliate a dispute between Aborigines regarding land
matters as well as hold in trust, and distribute to Aboriginal associations, statutory
payments to communities affected by mining operations and income received on
behalf of landowners under negotiated agreements. They are also responsible for
processing applications for permits for people and the government to enter
Aboriginal land.
Traditional owners will maintain their culture and negotiate mining and
infrastructure projects with governments and developers. With this act,
Aboriginal people would have more freedom and they would also bring back
their spiritual connection with their land that they lost because of colonization
and racism from Europeans.