Why was Australia considered terra nullius?

Terra nullius is a Latin term meaning “land belonging to no one”. British colonisation and subsequent Australian land laws were established on the claim that Australia was terra nullius, justifying acquisition by British occupation without treaty or payment.

WHO declared Australia terra nullius?

The Proclamation of Governor Bourke, 10 October 1835 is historically significant. It implemented the doctrine of terra nullius upon which British settlement was based, reinforcing the notion that the land belonged to no one prior to the British Crown taking possession of it.

Do Aboriginal people get handouts?

Individuals do not get extra funding because they are Indigenous. However, specific government programs, not additional income, have been introduced for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples because they are the most economically and socially disadvantaged group in Australia.

Why did the Waterloo Creek massacre happen?

In 1865, at least 300 Aboriginals were killed by ‘native police’ in Queensland’s far west near the New South Wales and South Australian border. Researchers claim the mass-attack happened after station owner, John Dowling, was killed, prompting his brother, Vincent, to seek revenge with a ‘posse of settlers’.

When did Aboriginals count citizens?

1967
The 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum is an extremely important milestone in the history of Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The 1967 vote clarified, for the first time, the citizenship status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Is there any land on earth that isn’t owned?

Bir Tawil is the last truly unclaimed land on earth: a tiny sliver of Africa ruled by no state, inhabited by no permanent residents and governed by no laws.

What massacre happened on Australia Day?

The Waterloo Creek massacre
The Waterloo Creek massacre (also Slaughterhouse Creek massacre) refers to a series of violent clashes between mounted police, civilian vigilantes and Indigenous Gamilaraay peoples, which occurred southwest of Moree, New South Wales, Australia, during December 1837 and January 1838.

How many aboriginals died in the Waterloo Creek massacre?

Even more chilling – and poignant – is the massacre happened on what we now call Australia Day – January 26th, 1838. The deaths of up to 300 Indigenous people in Waterloo Creek, southwest of Mooree, was so terrible it came to be known as the Australia Day massacre.

Is it OK to call Indigenous Australians ‘Aborigines’?

Is it OK to call Indigenous Australians ‘Aborigines’? ‘Aborigine’ is generally perceived as insensitive, because it has racist connotations from Australia’s colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group. You’re more likely to make friends by saying ‘Aboriginal person’, ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’.

Is ‘Aborigine’ offensive?

‘Aborigine’ is generally perceived as insensitive, because it has racist connotations from Australia’s colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group. You’re more likely to make friends by saying ‘Aboriginal person’, ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’.

Is there any resistance to the illegal occupation of Australia?

There has always been resistance to the illegal occupation of Australia. In the early days we had resistance fighters who fought directly against the waves of settlers that were protected by units of armed military and police. In the mission days, there were those of us who were able to begin resisting through education and dialogue.

Is Australia doing enough to protect indigenous people from discrimination?

Racial discrimination became illegal in Australia in 1976, but that hasn’t protected Indigenous people from still being much worse off, including in terms of health, education and unemployment. Many end up trapped by poverty and crime.