Blacks demand more time on legislation
By Maurice Sibelle
BRISBANE — Three hundred people attended a meeting to discuss the Mabo situation on November 5. The meeting, organised by the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action, called for more time to negotiate amendments to the federal government's planned Native Title Bill.
Speakers at the meeting included Bob Weatherall, national chair of the Aboriginal Provisional Government; Isabel Coe from the Waratri nation in New South Wales; Wadjularbinna from the North Queensland Gunggalida tribe and Greg MacIntyre from the Tharpuntoo Legal Service, Cairns.
Weatherall said that from the beginning the Mabo legislation was "intended to preserve the rights of commercial interest groups". He warned that while there were some gains made in the negotiations with the government, the "ball game is not over. We should see the next step as stage two and we cannot rush it", he continued.
"Australia has an opportunity to do something about this denial of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. This legislation may be a part of that agreement. If Australia does not address the concerns of Aboriginal people, it will not be able to wear the mantle of a just and free society."