jan 1, 1993 - Mabo Case

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The Mabo case was a significant legal battle that occurred in Australia that recognised the land rights of the Meriam people, traditional owners of the Murray Islands. The land was taken during colonisation due to the ‘terra nullius’ which stated that the land belonged to no one because there were no signs of agriculture or human infrastructure. This case had recognised that aboriginal people had lived in Australia for thousands of years, soon the native Title Act 1993 was passed. Eddie Mabo went to the High Court claiming ‘native title’ to the Murray Islands, this case challenged the Australian legal system. This case had taken 3 decades to put land back in its owner’s hands and Eddie Koiki Mabo had not lived long enough to see the final verdict, even after this case was taken to the highest court in Australia.

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