Bi-partisan Parliamentary Statement on Racial Tolerance is made by Federal Parliament, denouncing racial intolerance and reaffirming commitment to process of Reconciliation and non-discriminatory immigration policy.
High Court decision on Wik finds that, in some cases, native title rights can co-exist with pastoral leasehold rights. Federal Government develops ‘Ten Point Plan’ outlining a proposed legislative response to the High Court Wik decision, with the aim of limiting Aboriginal land rights.
Commonwealth Office of Multicultural Affairs is absorbed into Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
The Cape York Heads of Agreement is brokered between Aboriginal interest groups, the Cattlemen’s Union and the Australian Conservation Association.
Senator Pauline Hanson warns parliament that in her maiden speech that Australia risks being “swamped by Asians”. She claims that most Australians want to see Australia’s immigration policy “radically” reviewed, and “multiculturalism abolished”.
“They have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate,” she says.
