The 1992 High Court decision re Mabo reaffirmed legal position since 1066 AD when William Duke of Normandy conquered England.

Where customs and practices of people did not conflict with Crown laws, or laws or rulings under and in accordance with Crown Laws, then those practices could continue - until terminated.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia as agreed to by the People of Australia for Federation includes requirement provision for the payment of just compensation.

Australia's High Court appears believe termination of customs and practices involving or related or dependent upon usage of land or property includes entitlement to just compensation where such customs and practices are restricted or terminated.

Squatters rights, vacant possession, also include entitlement to just compensation.

Deciding whether particular Australians may posses valid claims involving 'crown land' or unalienated land particularly where people have lived continuously, or for long enough, takes time.

Whilst the justices recognized such rights may be 'extinguished' by the Crown issuing titles or leases for the land, such extinguishing may only be for the duration of the lease then restored, or may be permanently terminated.

However, just compensation needs be considered where and when land titles were issued or varied... losses may result in entitlements to Just Compensation where such losses occurred since federation.

Pursuit of legal resolution title by title for each land title issued since federation, on a case by case basis would be rather expensive in time, money, and political complications.

.

I am glad that the injustices to the original inhabitants of this land have finally been recognised in the most official manner. The genuine victims clearly stood out in the crowd from those who feigned indignation. The Opposition leader's speech was many times superior in quality, content & realism & the genuine people in the crowd did not turn their backs which showed their pride & acceptance of this expression of remorse on behalf of both houses of Parliament.

polpak,
how many times have you been to murray Island & how many people do you know there ?

Foxy “This is getting a bit tedious.”

Oh sorry Foxy (that is the only “sorry” you will get from me).

As dearest Margaret Thatcher said “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”

I guess that gets “tedious”. I must admit I find it so too but have the stamina and self-reliance to prevail over the tedium.

To the rest of your diatribe, it is like this, different people have different opinions, generally based on a mixture of theory and practice, to what is the best solution to a problem.

Obviously, you are working on the theory that appeasement will work.
My observation of history (practice) is appeasement never has.

FrankGol “It sounds like you've really caught a dose of compassion today.”

My level of compassion, today is consistent with every other day.

I would note, compassion is a uniquely human expression.
It is only ever experienced between individuals, where an individual acts “freely” in regard to the interest of others.
It cannot be dispensed by government or bureaucrats acting on behalf of the tax payer because the government and bureaucrats act in accordance with statute and not “freely”.

A happy, fulfilled life is built on self-reliance and self-esteem.

Qualities of Self-reliance and self-esteem contribute significantly to develop the compassionate contributors and builders of the greater community and are lacking in the expectant recipients of “alms” from the same community.

Neither self reliance or self esteem are to be got from government handouts, the proceeds of civil legal actions or words of apology to folk who, with self-reliance and self-esteem, would see others as equals.

“Will you still respect us in the morning”

I am sure I will, if you think you are “worthy” and think you have actually earned that “respect”.

Oh rainier, I see you tripping over yourself to put a word in when you think you are in the majority.
The coward is always at ease when he has the strength of the mob behind him.

Sorry Col Rouge. I was too subtle. Next time I'll use sledgehammer - and you might feel it through your hat and hair.

As anyone who has ever lived as an expatriate in another country will recognise, one is always acting in an ambassadorial capacity as those around demand answers for policies made by one's home country. Over the past couple of years Australia's role as America's tail-wagger, certain foreign policies, refusal to sign Kyoto etc. etc. has resulted in a certain fading of respect when one answers the question "And where are you from?"

But people, no matter how much you squabble domestically about the Sorry speech, what it has done for Australia overseas is to make all Aussies stand a little prouder. People I have never spoken to before have come up and congratulated me personally ( a great leap: usually I get blamed personally for everything from Children Overboard to child abuse), students have asked to know more about Australian history and teachers from other countries have commented on how the signing of Kyoto and the Sorry speech have changed their perceptions.

I am not taking away anything from the arguments you have made here on these posts, but it is unarguable that after Rudd's apology interest and concern for Aboriginal people has increased at least where I live. The growing dismissal of Australia as America's Yes-country has started to dissipate. And every Australian is walking round at least one foot taller.