Rally to defend native title
By Jo Williams
MELBOURNE — About 450 people gathered on the steps of Parliament House on October 22 to protest against Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett's attempts to ram through native title extinguishment in Victoria.
Howard's Native Title Amendment Act requires the stamp of state governments to put it into practice. Despite clear public opposition to the bill, Kennett is trying to force the legislation through parliament with little debate or discussion.
If implemented, the legislation will extinguish native title rights in Victoria and validate acts which ignored provisions of the original Native Title Act and should therefore have been rendered illegal.
The rally was organised by Defenders of Native Title and Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation. It is the first of a number of rallies planned.
Speakers included Geoff Clarke, Victorian commissioner for ATSIC, Damien Bell, Mirimbiak chief executive, Leigh Hubbard, secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and Monica Morgan representing the Yorta Yorta people, who have been struggling for land rights for many years. Reverend Tim Costello and representatives from the Uniting and Catholic churches also spoke.
Aboriginal activist Cheryl Buchanan praised the broad representation at the rally, but noted that the churches have not all played progressive roles in the struggle for land rights. The Catholic Church is one of the biggest land-holders in Victoria.