1971

1. November Protest

   During a ‘Smash The Acts campaign’ dozens of Aboriginal people march in Sydney to protest against protectionist acts which regulate many aspects of their lives.

1972

1. Forced control over wages and savings (bank books) ceases, although people have to request to be free from financial management.

2. Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act is proclaimed in Western Australia.

3. The Whitlam (Labor) government abolishes the White Australia Policy and introduces a policy of self-determination. The change provides the right to cultural and linguistic maintenance and management of natural resources on Aboriginal land.

4. Community controlled Aboriginal Medical Service is set up in Redfern, Sydney. The first in Australia.

5. Bruce McGuinness and Martin Bartfeld shoot “Blackfire” which focuses on Aboriginal communities in Melbourne. It is the first film known to have been made by an Aboriginal Australian.

6. After having been in effect for more than 70 years, the government announces that the White Australia policy has ended.

   When migration began here on January 26th 1788 all Australians were black and the first migrants were white and not very well selected I might say.

   — Al Grassby, Minister for Immigration 1972–1974 ^[1]

7. January Land & land rights Protest

   Aboriginal activists pitch an Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside Parliament House in Canberra, demonstrating for land rights.

8. June Self-determination

   Mullenjaiwakka, also known as Lloyd Clive McDermott, becomes the first Aboriginal barrister, when he is called to the NSW Bar. Lloyd is also a passionate rugby player. He died in April 2019.

9. 14 July Protest

   On National Aborigines Day there are Australia wide strikes and marches by Aboriginal people.

10. 23 August Education

    NSW Director-General of Education approved the removal of the section of the teachers’ handbook that allowed school principals to refuse enrolment to Aboriginal children because of home conditions or substantial opposition from the community.

11. October Land & land rights

    1,000 Aboriginal people sign the Larrakia petition, one of the most important documents in the history of their struggle for land rights. Headed Gwalwa Daraniki, which means ‘our land’ in the language of the Larrakia people (the traditional owners of the Darwin area in the NT), the Larrakia petition called for land rights and political representation for the Aboriginal people of Australia.

12. December Politics

    The Whitlam (Labor) government establishes the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. By 1975 offices have been established in all states and only Queensland has not transferred to the department all major responsibilities for Aboriginal policy and administration.

13. December Land & land rights

    The Whitlam government freezes all applications for mining and exploration on Commonwealth Aboriginal reserves.

1973

1. Brothers Vern and Frank Daisy are institutions in Mt Isa (Queensland) football for many years.

2. First national elections for Aboriginal people to elect 41 members of the National Aboriginal Consultative committee. More than 27,000 Aboriginal people vote.

3. The first Aboriginal side tours New Zealand.

   Rugby League is the first sport in Australia to appoint an Aboriginal player as its national captain: Arthur Beetson when the Kangaroos play France.

4. Mr Justice Woodward of the Aboriginal Land Commission delivers his first report, showing the way for a new approach to Aboriginal land rights.

5. The Whitlam government introduces the first Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA), employing Aboriginal people for Aboriginal issues. The DAA begins a national programme to improve health services for Aboriginal people. It also introduces the first national body elected by Aboriginal people, the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC), which has only an advisory role, however. Aboriginal people elect the members.

6. 18 June Land & land rights

   The NSW Aboriginal Lands Trust is set up with nine Aboriginal representatives elected by the Aboriginal community from regional electorates. Its aim is to set up an Aboriginal-controlled authority that controls the Aboriginal reserves. The trust receives freehold title, but not ownership, to the 56 remaining Aboriginal reserves and can lease land to Aboriginal people.

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References