Aboriginal land rights and other claims by Australian Aborigines: an ANU Convocation luncheon address on 17 May 1978 by Stewart Harris; introduced by Manning Clark

Abstract

Recorded at University House, 17 May 1978. -- Harris points out that the first Aboriginal demand for land rights was granted because it took nothing away from European Australians contrasted today with the reaction of the Australian Mining Industry Council; how by giving Aboriginals their rights it enhances all Australians; advocates giving Aborigines titles to Aboriginal reserves plus the right to negotiate with the mining companies on any minerals deposits found there; cites as an example how the Papua New Guinea government has negotiated with BHP on the OCTEDDY Mining Agreement; explains the effects if a formula for mining proposed by consultant Steven Zorrn was implemented and stressing the benefits to both the mining companies and the Aboriginal community; how to date Aborigines have been denied the basic right to compensation for dispossession; how the Fraser government consistently ignored Aboriginal representatives despite promising their support in this matter; condemns the Queensland government in particular Premier Joh Bjelke Peterson for what Harris sees as an authoritarian and brutal attitude towards their Aboriginal citizens. -- Chairman: Professor Manning Clark. -- Individual audience questions. Show more