Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (commonly known as Mabo) is a decision of the High Court of Australia, decided on 3 June 1992. It is a landmark case, brought by Eddie Mabo against the State of Queensland. The case is notable for recognising the pre-colonial land interests of Indigenous Australians within Australia's common law. Prior to Mabo, the pre-colonial property rights of Indigenous Australians were not recognised at common law.Mabo is of great legal, historical, and political importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It overturned the doctrine of "terra nullius", which had previously been applied by colonial courts to dismiss Indigenous claims.
The Prime Minister Paul Keating praised the decision, saying it "establishes a fundamental truth, and lays the basis for justice". Conversely, the decision was criticised by conservative commentators.Native title doctrine was eventually codified in statute by the Keating Government in the Native Title Act 1993. This recognition enabled further litigation for Indigenous land rights in Australia.
![Mabo v Queensland (No 2)](https://cdn.calendarz.com/uploads/events/june/3/52286/mabo-v-queensland-no-2_cp.jpg)
1992Jun, 3
Aboriginal land rights are granted in Australia in Mabo v Queensland (No 2), a case brought by Eddie Mabo.
Choose Another Date
Events on 1992
- 1Feb
Bhopal disaster
The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bhopal court declares Warren Anderson, ex-CEO of Union Carbide, a fugitive under Indian law for failing to appear in the Bhopal disaster case. - 1Mar
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Bosnia and Herzegovina declares its independence from Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. - 9Apr
Manuel Noriega
A U.S. Federal Court finds former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega guilty of drug and racketeering charges. He is sentenced to 30 years in prison. - 27Apr
International Monetary Fund
The Russian Federation and 12 other former Soviet republics become members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. - 23Jul
Pope Benedict XVI
A Vatican commission, led by Joseph Ratzinger, establishes that limiting certain rights of homosexual people and non-married couples is not equivalent to discrimination on grounds of race or gender.