...to see the wood for the trees...
'One of the important decisions was - did Eddie Mabo wish to appeal those findings by the trial judge? And we gave Eddie certain advice about the way he should proceed. And our advice was, in the interests of the community and in the interests of expediting the final conclusion of this litigation, bearing in mind the enormous pressures of limited resources we were under, we advised him not to appeal. And he thought about it and he accepted that advice.
'And I consider that a very selfless decision and a decision to his very great credit. And an indication of his ability to see the wood for the trees.
'The great irony of this case is that in the end Eddie Mabo had nothing to do with it in terms of argument put before the full High Court at the ultimate hearing. He took it on the chin, accepted advice not to appeal and proceeded into the full court with a case which was fought over areas of land found on behalf of the other plaintiffs, not him.'
'And I consider that a very selfless decision and a decision to his very great credit. And an indication of his ability to see the wood for the trees.
'The great irony of this case is that in the end Eddie Mabo had nothing to do with it in terms of argument put before the full High Court at the ultimate hearing. He took it on the chin, accepted advice not to appeal and proceeded into the full court with a case which was fought over areas of land found on behalf of the other plaintiffs, not him.'
Keywords: Mabo Case, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings, 1990
Bryan Keon-Cohen interviewed by Trevor Graham, 1996.
Author: Graham, Trevor
© Film Australia
Source: Keon-Cohen, Bryan
Author: Graham, Trevor
© Film Australia
Source: Keon-Cohen, Bryan