Commonwealth Government releases advice from National Multicultural Advisory Council. The report Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century recommends re-establishment of a central coordinating agency and a national communication strategy. Commonwealth Government develops the multicultural policy statement, A new agenda for
Constitutional Convention held which leads to debate on the recognition of the status of Indigenous peoples and of Australian cultural diversity in an amended Constitution. Commonwealth Government’s ‘Living in Harmony’ campaign is launched with $5 million to support nation-wide community
Bringing them home: Report of National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families is released. Report concludes that forcible removal of children was an act of genocide, contrary to United Nations Convention on
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
Racial Hatred Act 1995 is passed, with aim of ensuring that people of all backgrounds can live free from racial vilification, intimidation and harassment. National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families is established.
Native Title Tribunal is established to hear land claims. Indigenous Land Fund is established as part of Federal Government’s response to the Mabo decision. Australian Citizenship Act is amended to include a preamble reflecting a multicultural concept of citizenship. Australian Federal Government officially
In a match for St Kilda against Collingwood Nicky Winmar is racially abused by Collingwood supporters, who yell for him to “go and sniff some petrol” and “go walkabout where you came from”. At the end of the game Winmar
High Court decision on Native Title (‘Mabo’ decision) overturns the concept of terra nullius and establishes that native title can exist over particular kinds of land – unalienated Crown land, national parks and reserves. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation is set up
Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is tabled in Federal Parliament, detailing the lives and deaths of 99 Aboriginal people who died in gaol; 45 were people who were separated from their families as children. Report of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is set up as main Commonwealth agency in Indigenous affairs. Aboriginal and Social Justice Commissioner appointed to HREOC. Australia becomes a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.