Recognition of Aboriginal Land Rights

Date: June 3, 1992 • Location: Canberra, Australia

Australian Aboriginal land rights are recognised in Mabo v Queensland (No 2), a case brought by Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo which led to the Native Title Act 1993 overturning the long-held colonial assumption of terra nullius.

Mabo v Queensland is a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia that recognised the existence of Native Title in Australia. It was brought by Eddie Mabo and others against the State of Queensland, and decided on 3 June 1992. The case was the first in Australia to recognise pre-colonial land interests of Indigenous Australians within the common law of Australia.