... changes that have occurred to the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal people between 1900 and today. When the white explorers first came to Australia, they operated under the law of terra nullius. Terra nullius was the European law that applied (incorrectly) to Australia when it was discovered. It is a Latin term for "land without owner" in which European explorers can claim a land for their ... ...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4

... and the land has alienated them from their spiritual need of their life, the Dreaming. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip sailed into the shores of Australia. He claimed the land terra nullius, an empty or uncivilised land. The Europeans believed that they had rights to the land, as the aborigines did not use the land for farming or housing. During white settlement ... system. The most common case and the case that rewrote the Australian common law was Mabo. The Meriam people led by Eddie Mabo were on a crusade to overturn the doctrine Terra Nullius. The Mabo case went to the High Court and...

• Word Count: 1002
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... Eddie Mabo and his community. The Mabo decision is important to all Australians as it states that Indigenous Australians were the true owners of Australia. It also erased the fictitious "Terra Nullius". Many people thought that they will lose their land as a result of the trial but this is false. Aboriginals do not have the right to claim land that has already ... ...

• Word Count: 339
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School