Aboriginal people have enjoyed the same rights as other Australians since 1967 Discuss.

BY NAWAF SEOUDI 10B3

“Aboriginal people have enjoyed the same rights as other Australians since 1967” This statement is true but to a diminutive extent. They have been given things by the government that satisfies them, however, there has been more bad than good that the government have given to the Aborigines. Some examples of good things given to Aborigines is summed up in the paragraph below and instances that include negative aspects are; No apology was given to the Aborigines by the federal government, land rights have not been taken into account into serious account until sooner occasions in the 1990s and Aborigines today are treated unjustly suffering racism and alcohol and violence due to past injustices.

On the first hand, Aborigines have been given some positive aspects, which may help them get on with their daily lives. Aborigines have been given the right to vote and the Australian government demanded the buildings of facilities for them only to enjoy and perform sports and other things they may want to perform. In addition, Aborigines are being encouraged to practice their culture so they may live a traditional life like their ancestors and the inheritance and beauty of their culture is reborn and their beliefs with the land is returned to their daily system (protecting and living off the land). Furthermore, Aborigines are now given chances to go counseling and discuss their problems they suffer to the psychiatrist, and the psychiatrist may help them in their personal issues, which can prevent Aborigines from committing suicideTherefore, the Aborigines have been given some of the same rights as other Australians but to a certain extent.

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On the other hand, Apologies have not yet been by any federal government to Aborigines or Aboriginal groups. Aborigines and Aboriginal groups have not yet been formally apologized to by any federal government. Only expressions of ‘regret’ were offered by the government in 1997 after HREOC inquiry labeled John Howard as an unconstitutional being who should try to his up most ability compensate for past injustices. The need to apologies is due to the stolen generation. Aborigines prior to the referendum were treated unfairly whereby they were placed under government restrictions. From 1943 onwards, these restrictions could be avoided if an Aboriginal person rejected Aboriginality (this can be seen as genocide, and the destruction of a culture). Therefore, this means that John Howard was not sorry for what he did, (destroying a native culture), thus proves that Aborigines did not have the same rights as other Australians from 1967. Not even a simply sorry was given because of the genocide of a native and indigenous culture.

Moreover, Aboriginal land rights have not been taken into serious consideration until sooner occasions during 1990s. 4 years after 1967 the Gove Land Rights Case was fought. In 1971, justice Blackburn handed down his historic decision in Milirrpum v. Nabalco (1970). Aboriginal land rights ownership was no longer valid as it had been ‘legally’ replaced by British law after 1788. This meant Nabalco limited was now legally granted permission to mine bauxite on traditional Yirrakala land, trampling and Stomping on Aboriginal Sacred sites. The High Court of Australia decided that native title existed on leased land and that native title rights and rights of leaseholder could co-exist. To address this issue, John Howard introduced the Ten Point Plan, which was specifically made to reduce the chance of Aborigines owning land rights, thus proving, yet again, that Aborigines have not enjoyed the same lifestyle the Australians had after 1967, due to the fact that land rights were disregarded.

Furthermore, Aborigines today are treated unjustly suffering at the pressures of racism, drugs, alcohol and violence all due to past injustices. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that there is a great difference in the social stance of Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Australians of liver failures and cancers. Violence is also common amongst Aborigines including teenagers and pre- teens as young as 12 taking part in gang activities and criminal offences such as manslaughter and stealing. Yet, the current situation only occurred due to English introducing alcohol and drugs to Aborigines which results in violence. A much more controversial issue is Aborigines facing racism. This is to some extent true as there are members of society who naturally racist and bear hatred revenge against Aborigines. However, Aborigines are offered special schools in the afternoon like in Walgett.

In conclusion, it is clear to see that Aborigines have enjoyed the same rights as other Australians since 1967 but not as much as they have been negative aspects against them such as Violence, drugs, racism, land rights not recognized and no apology or compensation towards the Aborigines because of the stolen generations and before 1967.

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