The Struggle For Land Rights
Eddie Mabo headed the lands right claim for the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait for the people of Mer, a direct challenge to the notion of terra nullius. Mabo’s case stated “Since time immemorial the Torres Strait Islands of the Mer (known as Murray), Danar and Waier and their surrounding seas, seabeds, fringing reefs and adjacent islets have been continuously inhabited by people called the Meriam people”, whereas European settlers had only inhabited the area for less than 200 years. The Queensland government stated that the land had been claimed by the British Crown in 1879, assuming all rights to the land. Mabo supported his claim with the fact that in 1910 the Queensland Government had to purchase land from the Meriam people, which they would not have had to do had they owned the land as they claimed. A court was also established to settle disputes over the land rights of the Murray Islands, which was also used to reinforce Mabo’s case as a court would be unnecessary if the land did truly belong to the Queensland government. This case was taken to the high court in 1989 and on 3rd June 1992 six out of the seven high court judges ruled in favour of Mabo.