CELEBRATING MABO DAY

On 3 June 1992, six of the seven judges agreed that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held traditional ownership of the lands of Mer (Murray Island). The decision led to the passing of the Native Title Act 1993, providing the framework for all Australian Indigenous people to make claims of native title. This landmark decision gave rise to important native title legislation the following year rendering terra nullius legal fiction.