Now More Than Ever: Mabo, Momentum & Milestones
On behalf of the Griffith University Law Society (GULS), we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the Yuggera and Turrbal peoples. We recognize their continuing connection to land, waters, and community, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging
What is reconciliation?
Reconciliation in Australia aims to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians for mutual benefit. It addresses the historical injustices, such as land dispossession, violence, and racism, experienced by Indigenous peoples since colonization.
Reconciliation is a continuous process that recognizes the hard-won progress over the past fifty years and the ongoing efforts required to achieve equality. It envisions a just and equitable Australia where Indigenous children have the same opportunities as non-Indigenous children, and racial background does not determine life quality or longevity.
Reconciliation involves five interrelated dimensions:
Historical Acceptance: Acknowledging and accepting the past wrongs and ensuring they are never repeated, fostering truth, justice, and healing.
Race Relations: Building positive, respectful, and trusting relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, free from racism.
Equality and Equity: Ensuring Indigenous peoples participate equally in life opportunities, with their unique rights and cultures recognized and respected.
Institutional Integrity: Gaining active support for reconciliation from political, business, and community institutions.
Unity: Valuing and recognizing Indigenous cultures and heritage as integral to a shared national identity, promoting national unity.
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash
For further information and to get involved in reconciliation efforts, visit Reconciliation Australia’s website here
STanding up in sport
Phil Krakouer, supported by his brother Jim and other Indigenous players, has escalated his lawsuit against the VFL/AFL into a class action. Initially filed in March 2024, this case now includes at least six additional plaintiffs, covering racial abuse incidents from 1975 to 2022. The lawsuit implicates all AFL clubs, extending to teams established post-VFL era, such as Adelaide, Fremantle, and Gold Coast.
The plaintiffs argue that the AFL has failed in its duty of care by not effectively addressing racial abuse, despite the Racial Vilification Act of 1975. This class action seeks to hold the league accountable for decades of systemic racism.
Photo by Daniel Anthony on Unsplash
The AFL has acknowledged historical racism within the sport and has issued public apologies. However, it disputes the allegations of 47 years of negligence and intends to defend itself in court.
North Melbourne Football Club, led by president Sonja Hood, has called for alternative dispute resolution methods. Hood emphasized the club's efforts to create a culturally safe environment and urged the AFL to adopt an industry-wide approach to address historical racism.
Prominent football figures, including Kevin Sheedy, Terry Daniher, and Wayne Johnson, are also named in the lawsuit. Sheedy has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and damaging.
This class action is a crucial step in addressing racial discrimination in the AFL. Its outcome could set a significant legal precedent, prompting broader discussions on institutional accountability and the need for inclusive practices within sports organizations.
Read more here
mabo & momentum
Photo by Ondrej Machart on Unsplash
In the annals of Australian legal history, few moments stand as monumentally significant as the Mabo decision. Picture this: Eddie Koiki Mabo, alongside a cadre of determined Meriam men from the Torres Strait, takes on the entrenched notion of "terra nullius" – the fallacy that Australia was an empty land upon European arrival. Their tireless efforts culminate in a watershed ruling by the High Court in 1992, a ruling that reverberates through the corridors of power and the hearts of Indigenous communities nationwide.
For the first time, the court acknowledges Indigenous peoples' inherent rights to their ancestral lands, shattering centuries-old legal dogma and acknowledging their profound connection to Country. This seismic shift in legal doctrine paves the way for the Native Title Act of 1993, a legislative framework designed to empower Indigenous Australians in reclaiming and safeguarding their native title rights.
Yet, the journey is far from over. Challenges persist, particularly in proving uninterrupted connection to the land in the face of historical injustices like forced removals and despite legal strides, systemic racism still casts a shadow over Indigenous communities today, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance in the fight for equality and justice
It's a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, the pursuit of truth and equity can spark profound and lasting change.
Learn more here