...Legacy of the case...

The legacy of Eddie Mabo and the other plaintiffs of the Murray Island community in having the courage and determination to run this case is considerable... Fundamentally he has corrected an historical wrong. He has delivered to the nation a proper foundation to move forward and deal with the Indigenous community of this country on a basis of equality and fairness and justice. He has delivered to the nation a national land rights scheme, and said to the nation here it is, you now build on that for the future and provide some equitable recognition of history and some firm economic and cultural foundation for the future development of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal societies in this country. He has, through this ten year endeavour, I think created a much better Australian legal foundation, through which we can represent ourselves to the world as a country cognisant of its human rights obligations.

Keywords: Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo Case, plaintiffs

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