What happened to my rights?

• Timeline for justice

• How laws are made

• Forming organisations

• Protests

• Media involvement

• Political agitation

• Individuals stepping up

Think about

• Why was the government so slow in using its new power?

• What happened to SAFA?

The first Europeans to arrive declared Australia to be Terra Nullius. The land was considered to uninhabited therefore the property of the English Crown. This was despite the fact the land was occupied by Indigenous Australians. In 1982 the Mer people decided to challenge the declaration of Terra Nullius. Find out what happened:

• Background to Mabo

• The Mabo decision

• Wik

The Franklin River is situated in Southwest Tasmania. In the late 1970s the State Government had plans to build a dam along the river. Conservationists were outraged, they wanted to save this wilderness area so they took action.

• The battle begins

• The battle continues

• The battle goes national

• The battle ends

About actions

Every Western democracy has a Bill of Rights, except Australia. Should we have one? Do we need one?

More on a Bill of Rights

There have been many instances where international pressure has caused the Australian Federal Government to act with respect to human rights issues. Examine these examples and consider the points below.

Discuss

• Without this international influence and pressure, would things have changed?

• How effective is international pressure on a country like Australia?

• On what countries may this pressure not be so effective and why?

• Create a timeline of important developments for the

  • 1967 Referendum

  • Land Rights and Native Title

• How significant was the 1967 Referendum for changing the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal People?

• How significant was the Land Rights movement and Native Title in changing the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal People?

• What was the role of Charles Perkins in the Freedom Rides?

• What was the significance of the Freedom Rides for Australia in the post-war period?