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Case, Natasha; Crow, Harry; Eagleton, Richard; Reiner, Naomi --- "Recent Happenings" [1998] IndigLawB 50; (1998) 4(12) Indigenous Law Bulletin 22

Recent Happenings

Compiled by Natasha Case, Harry Crow, Richard Eagleton and Naomi Reiner

1 April

The High Court handed down its judgment in Kartinyeri v Commonwealth (, e Hindmarsh Island Bridge Case). see Casenote in this issue, p 18.

5 April

Thousands of people across the nation demonstrated against the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine.

5 April

The National Indigenous Working cup announced it plans to set up a defence fund, the 'Coexistence fund', to finance legal actions likely over the Commonweal Native Title Amendment Bill 1997. The fund would operate like a charity, receiving donations.

5 April

Aboriginal leader Mick Miller died at the age of 61 of a heart seizure. He was described at his funeral, attended by , ore than 1000 people as being a champion of the underdog, a sporting hero and anti-racial discrimination campaigner, o lived simply, with his people, until his death.

8 April

A Bill was introduced into Commonwealth Parliament by the Attorney-General to reorganise The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission ('HREOC'). Under the proposed legislation, HREOC will become the Human Rights and Responsibilities Commission and will consist of one President and three deputies, one of whom will deal with both Racial Discrimination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

9 April

The Northern Territory statehood convention ended, with a call for a referendum on the Northern Territory's proposed constitution. Indigenous delegates walked out of the convention on 8 April

10 April

The Commonwealth House of Representatives rejected the Senate's amendments to the Native Title Amendment Bill 1997 by a vote of 72 to 35.

11 April

Acclaimed Aboriginal artist, Rover Thomas, died, at the age of seventy-two, at an aged care home in the Kimberley area.

14 April

Aboriginal activist, Charles Perkins was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney at Nepean, for being an 'outstanding Australian. In 1963, Mr Perkins was the first Aborigine to graduate from an Australian university.

16 April

The Aboriginal Justice Advice Committee (AJAC) releases its annual report for 1996-97. Its findings show that six years after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody handed down its recommendations they were still not being met in South Australian prisons. Aboriginal people are still over-represented, Police continued to make arrests for offenses against good order, and there are still significant improvements to be made in SA prisons.

16 April

In a press release, the Commonwealth Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Senator Herron, announced that the Federal Cabinet had agreed to retain legal services within the Aboriginal and Tortes Strait Islander Commission ('ATSIC'). The Government endorsed the reform process, initiated by ATSIC in 1995.

28 April

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAO) released 26 recommendations to overhaul management of NSW's Land Councils. The recommendations included a code of conduct for councillors and a review of pecuniary and conflict of interest provisions.

28 April

Shirley Smith, better known as Mum Shirl, died at the age of 76. Apart from her significant humanitarian work, she was also a cofounder of both the Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Medical Service in NSW.