2016

1. 3 February Treaty

   A meeting of 500 Aboriginal leaders in Victoria rejects constitutional recognition and passes a motion demanding that the state “resources a treaty process, including a framework for treaties, with complete collaboration with all Sovereign Peoples and Nations”. ^[1]

2. 26 February Treaty

   The Victorian government commits to begin talks to work out Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people.^[2] The treaty aims for

   • Recognition of past injustices
   • Recognition of all 39 First Nations and their clans authority
   • Recognition of and respect for country, traditions and customs
   • A futures fund to implement and establish the treaty
   • Establishment of a democratic treaty commission
   • Land rights and land acquisition legislation and funding
   • Fresh water and sea water rights
3. March Treaty

   

   The Yolgnu Nations Assembly selects Yingiya Mark Guyulu as an independent candidate to run for the 26 August NT Legislative Assembly elections. He strongly advocated a treaty with the government.

4. 29 March Sport

   Inaugural Indigenous Football Week, to highlight the achievements of Aboriginal soccer players past and present, as well as the next generation of talent. The week is also a major fundraising initiative for John Moriarty Football, a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve education and life outcomes for young Aboriginal footballers and their families in remote Australia.

5. 18 May Land & land rights

   The Kenbi land claim, Australia’s longest running land claim, settles after 37 years. The land claim stretches across the Cox Peninsula on the western side of Darwin Harbour and includes 65,000 hectares to be used by the Larrakia and the Belyuen people. The claim overcame 2 extensive hearings, 3 Federal Court reviews and 2 High Court appeals.

6. June Treaty

   During the election campaign, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces that he believes a formal treaty would undermine the campaign towards constitutional recognition. Meanwhile opposition leader Bill Shorten says he is 'up for the conversation on a treaty'.

7. 6 June Treaty Land & land rights Recognition

   The Western Australian government recognises the Noongar people formally through the Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan) (Past, Present, Future) Recognition Act 2016 of the WA Parliament as the traditional custodians of the south west region of Western Australia. The government "recognises the Noongar peoples' important relationship with the Noongar lands, and their significant and unique contribution to the heritage, cultural identity, community and economy of WA". ^[3] The recognition is part of Australia's most comprehensive native title agreement, the South West Native Title Settlement (see June 2015) and the first statute in WA to incorporate a First Nation's language (in its Noongar Recognition Statement). ^[4]
   

8. 9 June Protest

   Aboriginal leaders come together to announce the Redfern Statement, an urgent call for a more just approach to Aboriginal Affairs and government action. Read the statement

9. 23 June Stolen Generations

   Members of the NSW Parliament offer apologies for past government policies after the state government tabled a report which makes 35 recommendations for reparations. Among these is a financial reparation scheme, similar to those in place in Tasmania and South Australia.

   We are sorry, we are very, very sorry for the past.

   — Jan Barham, Greens MLC and committee chair ^[5]

10. July Treaty

    The Victorian government commences the Treaty Interim Working Group to "provide advice on the process and timing for treaty, guidance on community engagement and examining options for a permanent Victorian Aboriginal representative body". ^[6] It has 5 Aboriginal representatives and 6 people appointed by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

11. 2 July Politics

    A record number of 13 Aboriginal candidates run for the federal election: Linda Burney (electorate: Barton, NSW), Ken Canning (Sydney, NSW), Pat Dodson, Jacqui Lambie (TAS), Sharlene Leroy-Dyer (Senate, NSW), Kerryanne Liddle (Senate, SA), Joanna Lindgren, Carol Martin, Malarndirri McCarthy (NT), Kado Muir, Tammy Solonec (Swan, WA), Shea Taylor (Senate, QLD), Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, WA).

12. 3 July Politics

    Linda Burney becomes the first female Aboriginal MP in Australia’s history after claiming the Federal seat of Barton. She is the first female Aboriginal MP in the House of Representatives.

13. 25 July Prison

    ABC’s Four Corners broadcasts Australia’s Shame, a documentary on abuse of children in NT detention centres, sparking shock nationally and internationally. Within a day the Prime Minister forms the Royal Commission into the Child Protection and Youth Detention Systems of the Northern Territory.

14. 1 August Arts

    A new law in Victoria allows Koorie people to protect and control the use of their culture and heritage by nominating for protection particular elements, e.g. traditional songs, stories, dance and art with significant spiritual and cultural connection to knowledge.

15. 18 August Prison

    Amnesty International Australia reveals documents alleging abuse of Aboriginal youth in QLD detention centres at Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and Brisbane Youth Detention Centre from 2010 to 2015. Guards stripped children, used dogs to intimidate, used excessive force, put children for prolonged periods into isolation and used search techniques banned in adult prisons.

16. 27 August Politics

    Northern Territory general election - The Yolgnu Nations Assembly selects Yingiya Mark Guyula as an independent candidate who promotes a treaty with the government.

17. September Treaty

    Yingiya Mark Guyula wins the Northern Territory seat of Nhulunbuy with 1,648 votes, a lead of just eight votes to incumbent Lynne Walker (ALP) who received 1,640 votes. The seat had been held by the ALP since 1980 and was categorised as “Very Safe Labor”.

18. 12 September Stolen wages

    Hans Pearson, 77, uncle of prominent Aboriginal elder Noel Pearson, sues the Queensland government to recover wages he claims were stolen from him more than half a century ago. He is the lead claimant in a class action involving 300 Aboriginal people who say they were not paid for years of labour as stockmen or domestic workers. ^[7]

19. 12 September Treaty

    The newly elect NT Labour government announces that an Aboriginal Voice – Shared Future subcommittee, which will include all Aboriginal MPs and representatives of bush seats, will progress public discussion on a treaty.

20. 15 September

    The Australian Psychological Society apologises to Aboriginal people for not honouring their “cultural belief systems and world views”, for conveying “misleading and inaccurate messages” about their abilities, for work only benefiting the researchers, for ignoring traditional healing techniques and for their “silence and lack of advocacy on important policy matters” such as the Stolen Generations. ^[8]

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References