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The commonwealth of Australia is formed. Indigenous Australians are excluded from the census and the lawmaking powers of the commonwealth parliament.
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Indigenous people are excluded from the vote, pensions, employment in post offices, enlistment in Armed Forces, maternity allowance.
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The Day of Mourning held by Aborigines League (est 1932) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (1937). It is the first major protest by Indigenous people. The Manifesto "Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights" and the newspaper "Abo Call" are published.
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All Indigenous people are given the vote in Commonwealth elections.
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Referendum held-90.7% of Australians vote YES to count Indigenous Australian in the census and to give the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws for them.
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Tent Embassy established outside Parliament House. It adopts the Indigenous flag
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Whitlam Government Elected; White Australia Policy abolished. Department of Aboriginal Affairs established. Self determination adopted as policy for Indigenous people.
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Whitlam hands back title to Gurindgi people.
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The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) is passed.
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Aboriginal Day extended to National Aborigines Week.
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Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) established
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Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises dispossession and displacement.
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Uluru handed back to traditional owners.
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Mabo decision by the High Court overturns terra nullius and rules that native title exists over unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves.
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Native Title Act
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Howard Government elected.
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The High Court rules in the Wik decision that native title and pastoral leases can co-exist.
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Pauline Hanson and her One Nation Party campaign against what they say is "special treatment" for Aboriginal people.
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Commonwealth Parliament makes statement of commitment to Reconciliation