Aboriginal Land Rights Commission facts for kids

The Aboriginal Land Rights Commission was a special group set up in Australia from 1973 to 1974. It was also known as the Woodward Royal Commission, named after its leader, Justice Edward Woodward. Its main job was to figure out how to give Aboriginal people rights to their traditional lands. This was especially for lands in the Northern Territory. This Commission started after a court case in 1971, where the Yolngu people lost their claim for land rights.

Why the Commission Was Needed

After the Yolngu people lost their land rights case in 1971, their lawyers decided to try a different approach. Instead of appealing to a higher court, they chose to work through politics. One of these lawyers was Edward Woodward. They hoped to keep the idea of Aboriginal land rights alive for the future.

In 1972, Gough Whitlam, who was the leader of the Labor Party, made an important promise. He said that if his party won the election, they would create laws for Aboriginal land rights. This would apply to lands in the Northern Territory.

When Whitlam became Prime Minister, his government decided to set an example. They chose to focus on the Northern Territory first. This area was controlled by the Australian Government.

Setting Up the Commission

Justice Woodward was chosen to lead the Aboriginal Land Rights Commission in February 1973. His task was to find the best ways to recognise Aboriginal land rights. To help with this big job, two important groups were created in the same year. These were the Northern Land Council and the Central Land Council.

What the Royal Commission Did

The Aboriginal Land Rights Commission wrote two important reports. These reports shared their findings and recommendations.

First Report: Helping Aboriginal People

The first report came out in July 1973. It suggested that the Australian Government should help Aboriginal people. It recommended they set up their own land councils. These councils would help manage their lands.

In August 1973, the government agreed with this first report. They told the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Gordon Bryant, to quickly set up the two proposed Aboriginal Land Councils.

Second Report: Key Recommendations

Woodward's second and final report was given to the government in April 1974. This report was based on ideas and suggestions from the land councils. The 1974 report made several key recommendations:

• All Aboriginal reserve lands should be given back to the Aboriginal people living there.
• Aboriginal people should be able to claim other empty government lands. But they would need to show strong traditional connections to that land.
• Aboriginal lands and sacred sites needed special protection.
• New Aboriginal land councils should be created to look after these lands.
• If mining companies or tourists wanted to enter Aboriginal land, they would need permission from the Aboriginal owners.
• Mining and other projects on Aboriginal land should only happen if the Aboriginal landowners agreed.
• If mining companies were allowed to mine, they should pay money to the traditional landowners. This money is called royalties.

After the Reports

The Whitlam Labor Government supported the ideas in the second report. In August 1975, they gave land to the Gurindji people. This was a peaceful gesture to help end the Wave Hill protest.

In 1976, the government led by Malcolm Fraser passed a new law. It was called the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. This law allowed Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory to make claims on land. They had to prove their traditional ties to that land. This important law was largely based on Justice Woodward's recommendations.

See also

• Indigenous land rights