Date Event Description 1967 Constitutional The Commonwealth Government acquired power to legislate for amendment referendum Aboriginal Australians and allowed for their inclusion in the census. 1971 The Aboriginal flag first Designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, A Luritja man from Central flown Australia, the Aboriginal flag was first flown in Adelaide on National Aborigines Day, 12th July. 1972 Self-determination The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established, and the introduced into Whitlam Government introduced the policy of self-determination. government policy 1975 Racial Discrimination Act On 11th June the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act came into effect. 1985 Uluru handed back Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) was handed back to the Traditional owners. 1989 Aboriginal and Torres The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission were Strait Islander established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act Commission Act 1989 and began operations on 5 March 1990. 1992 Native title (Mabo) In 1992, the High Court decision on Native title (Mabo) overturned the concept of 'terra nullius' (that land belonged to no one at the time of European invasion) and established that Native title can exist over particular kinds of land. This led to the establishment of the Native Title Act 1993. 1992 Torres Strait Islander Bernard Namok of Thursday Island designed the Torres Strait Flag Islander flag. 1997 Bringing Them Home The Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing Them Home, was released. In 1999, the Federal Government issued a statement of sincere regret over the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. 1998 26th May, National The first National Sorry Day was held one year after the tabling of Sorry Day the Bringing Them Home report which recommended that a National Sorry Day be declared. 2005 Abolition of the On 16th March Parliament passed the ATSIC Amendment Bill, Aboriginal and Torres repealing provisions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strait Islander Act 1989 (Commonwealth) and thereby abolishing the Aboriginal Commission and Torres Strait Islander Commission and its structures from 30th June 2005. 2008 Apology to Australia’s On 13th February 2008, Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd apologised for Indigenous peoples in past laws, policies, practices that have impacted on Australia the House of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly Representatives members of the Stolen Generations. The Motive was supported by the Opposition and passed through both houses of Parliament.
Date Event Description 1967 Constitutional amendment referendum The Commonwealth Government acquired power to legislate for Aboriginal Australians and allowed for their inclusion in the census. 1971 The Aboriginal flag first flown Designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, A Luritja man from Central Australia, the Aboriginal flag was first flown in Adelaide on National Aborigines Day, 12th July. 1972 Self-determination introduced into government policy The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established, and the Whitlam Government introduced the policy of self-determination. 1975 Racial Discrimination Act On 11th June the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act came into effect. 1985 Uluru handed back Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) was handed back to the Traditional owners. 1989 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission were established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 and began operations on 5 March 1990. 1992 Native title (Mabo) In 1992, the High Court decision on Native title (Mabo) overturned the concept of 'terra nullius' (that land belonged to no one at the time of European invasion) and established that Native title can exist over particular kinds of land. This led to the establishment of the Native Title Act 1993. 1992 Torres Strait Islander Flag Bernard Namok of Thursday Island designed the Torres Strait Islander flag. 1997 Bringing Them Home The Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing Them Home, was released. In 1999, the Federal Government issued a statement of sincere regret over the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. 1998 26th May, National Sorry Day The first National Sorry Day was held one year after the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report which recommended that a National Sorry Day be declared. 2005 Abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission On 16th March Parliament passed the ATSIC Amendment Bill, repealing provisions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 1989 (Commonwealth) and thereby abolishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and its structures from 30th June 2005. 2008 Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples in the House of Representatives On 13th February 2008, Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd apologised for past laws, policies, practices that have impacted on Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations. The Motive was supported by the Opposition and passed through both houses of Parliament.
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