Grayling

This has been running on the BBC news this morning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/5366890.stm

What are the implications?

G

jad n rich

Not sure, but wish it had happened before the "do you have black/brown/somalian type people in perth and which suburbs to avoid them threads"

Theres a claim going for the Gold Coast too.

The Bloke

On the whole-nothing. It just means that the local tribe has had prior (as in before white settlement) occupancy and connection to the land in question. That is the difference between freehold title and native title. However, if they really wanted to they could restrict or stop access to specific sites of cultural significance, like happened at Uluru, although there aren't many things like that in cities. It has NO bearing on who actually owns a block of ground, though the media and politicians, like John Howard, will beat it up to either sell newspapers/get better ratings or to further their own political agenda. It just so happens that there is a Federal election due shortly so some people will be scare the uninformed voter that their homes etc are in jeopardy.

All this hysteria has been around since the original "Mabo" decision was made over a decade ago.

Grayling

You are probably right.

This is what Ruddock is saying:

"Mr Ruddock told national radio that the court decision could mean the public could be excluded from parklands, waterfronts and beaches".

G

The Bloke

I rest my case.

BTW I think Ruddock and Howard etc should check their facts before scaremongering.

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~aar/aarmabo.htm

It is the summary of the original Mabo vs Queensland High Court decision.

Vash the Stampede

Few and negligible; it's largely symbolic, unfortunately. In any case, the state & federal governments will challenge and probably get this ruling overturned or watered down.

What Aboriginal people are looking for is a formal acknowledgement of their land rights. This is essential if Australia's relationship with its native population is to go forward.

The usual government bodies will perform their traditional scaremongering, of course.

However:

spalen

Look at it from the other view.

This tribe are looking at 200 years worth of back-dated council rates demands for the whole of Perth metropolis.

Vash the Stampede

LOL...

thebears

Sorry guys but you have to hand all the land and contents over .... but in return here is a bible a compass and a box of matches.

mr mover

yeah i would like to see them get that money off my local council .......... mm