Interesting that Bridie's step-father was instrumental in the Mabo judgement. His findings in a state-based case (in the Queensland Supreme Court) was referred to the High Court for a decision based on the facts of the case before him. It was the High Court - the highest Case in the land - who handed down the Mabo decision in a 6 to 1 majority decision in favour of Eddie Mabo and his co-plaintiffs. That extraordinary decision, led by Chief Justice Brennan, rejected the traditional doctrine that Australia was terra nullius ('land belonging to no-one') at the time of European settlement.
The case began in 1982 and was finalised in 1992, by which time Eddie Mabo had passed away.
Bridie's step-father, Justice Martin Moynihan... legend. Chief Justice Brennan... absolute legend.
Of course, as soon as Mabo was settled, the lunatic fringe started their campaign of misinformation, asserting that we would all lose our freehold titles. Which was exactly what the High Court didn't say. Three of the 6 judges noted the circumstances in which native title rights and interests could be lost subsequent to European settlement, adding that, there were conditions which must be met to retain native title, saying: 'Where a clan or group has continued to acknowledge the laws and (so far as practicable) to observe the customs based on the traditions of that clan or group, whereby their traditional connection with the land has been substantially maintained, the traditional community title of that clan or group can be said to remain in existence.'
Pauline Hanson, the quintessence of that class of idiot who luxuriates in their ignorance, said (in a language resembling English):
No freehold land titleholder in Australia has been dispossessed of their land.
The case began in 1982 and was finalised in 1992, by which time Eddie Mabo had passed away.
Bridie's step-father, Justice Martin Moynihan... legend. Chief Justice Brennan... absolute legend.
Of course, as soon as Mabo was settled, the lunatic fringe started their campaign of misinformation, asserting that we would all lose our freehold titles. Which was exactly what the High Court didn't say. Three of the 6 judges noted the circumstances in which native title rights and interests could be lost subsequent to European settlement, adding that, there were conditions which must be met to retain native title, saying: 'Where a clan or group has continued to acknowledge the laws and (so far as practicable) to observe the customs based on the traditions of that clan or group, whereby their traditional connection with the land has been substantially maintained, the traditional community title of that clan or group can be said to remain in existence.'
Pauline Hanson, the quintessence of that class of idiot who luxuriates in their ignorance, said (in a language resembling English):
"We thought we were signing over just to Mabo because his connection with the land. It's had so much impact on us with native title, that a lot of people have been dispossessed of their lands in Australia because of it."
No freehold land titleholder in Australia has been dispossessed of their land.
