...He wept...

'One item I very clearly recall in the trial concerned his inability to return to the island to be with his dying father. He was banned. As it occurred we obtained a tape of his dying father speaking on the island and we tendered the tape in evidence and it was played with Eddie Mabo in the court. And he wept hearing these words because it was obviously a very emotional moment. Because his father was talking about various matters relevant to tradition and customs in the case.'

Keywords: evidence, exile, family, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs

Interviewed by Trevor Graham,1996.
Author: Graham, Trevor
© Film Australia
Source: Keon-Cohen, Bryan