Terra nullius means 'land belonging to no one'. This stream investigates how this centuries-old legal principle was applied to the take-over of Australia and its significance to the Mabo case. It tells an international story of European conquest and how changes in international law now defend human rights.
Choose from the list of topics on the left and then choose 'Click to Play'. Topics are usually less than 2 minutes long.
Choose from the list of topics on the left and then choose 'Click to Play'. Topics are usually less than 2 minutes long.
Key ruling boosts blacks' land claims
Newspaper
Apr, 7, 1992
High Court judgement, Mabo Case, native title, native title claim
Protect post-1788 titles: Goss
Newspaper
Aug, 14, 1993
doctrine of tenure, Keating, Paul, Queensland Government, States' rights, Wik
Malo Dance
Topic
Sep, 19, 1995
ceremony, dancing, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Mabo, Maiga, Malo dance, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island, reburial, sacred
Mabo decision a victory over white arrogance
Newspaper
Jun, 4, 1993
Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, native title
Top judge backs Mabo
Newspaper
Jul, 2, 1993
Canberra, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, Mason, Chief Justice Anthony, Native Title Act (1993)
We Won!
Image
Jun, 3, 1992
determinations, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court victory, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo Case, Mabo family, Townsville
High Court in Canberra: Mabo & legal council
Image
1991
Canberra, Castan, Ron, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, McIntyre, Greg
Koiki pointing to boundary marker
Image
May, 1989
boundary markers, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, land boundaries, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Supreme Court of Queensland
Travelling to Dauer
Image
May, 1989
Dauar, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Kobere, Henry, Mabo, Edward Koiki, McIntyre, Greg, Mer, Rice, James, sea claims
The Legacy Of A Tiny Island
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Mabo, Edward Koiki, native title
...land belonging to no-one...
Video
1788
colonial warfare, colonisation, crown land, doctrine of tenure, extinguishment, Land Bilong Islanders, land rights, settlements, sovereignty, terra nullius
...Waihusiwa...
Image
1902
Curtis, Edward S., Marshall Cases, native American, treaties, United States of America
Anaya On International Law And States
Text
Anaya, S. James, indigenous people, International law, terra nullius
...I'm plaintiff for this court case...
Video
1989
human rights, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Murray Island, Passi, Reverend Dave, plaintiffs, Rice, James
The Racial Discrimination Act
Text
1975
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, human rights, International Convention, Mabo Case, native title, Racial Discrimination Act , 1975 , United Nations
Proclaimed to be Crown Land
Video
1879
annexation, Britain, British law, colonialism, crown land, doctrine of tenure, Land Bilong Islanders, Mer, Murray Island, terra nullius
Justice Brennan And Terra Nullius
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canberra, Common Law, conquest, High Court judgement, International law, sovereignty, terra nullius
In Defence Of The Indians
Text
1550-1551
Anaya, S. James, barbarism, colonialism, colonisation, Columbus, Christopher, Europe, indigenous people, International law, New World, property law, terra nullius
A Puritan Preacher
Text
1609
barbarism, colonialism, dispossession, land use, native American, New World, United States of America
Sir William Blackstone
Text
1765
barbarism, Blackstone, Sir William, conquest, land use, property, property law, sovereignty
Emerich De Vattel
Text
1760
colonialism, colonisation, Cook, Captain James, Europe, International law, land use, property, property law, terra nullius
...distinct tribal areas...
Video
1788-
barbarism, colonisation, colonisation, Land Bilong Islanders, land use, property, terra nullius, tribes
The Western Sahara Case
Text
1975
Africa, Brennan, Justice Gerard, International Court of Justice, occupation, terra nullius, Western Sahara case
Blackstone, Sir William
Text
1765
Blackstone, Sir William, British law, colonialism, colonisation, conquest, settlements
Reflections On Blackstone
Text
Blackstone, Sir William, British law, colonialism, colonisation, conquest, settlements, terra nullius
Justice Brennan And Settled Colonies
Image and Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, colonialism, Common Law, High Court of Australia, terra nullius
Cooper v Stuart
Text
colonialism, colonisation, Cooper V Stuart, crown land, doctrine of tenure, New South Wales, Privy Council, settlements, terra nullius
...no such recognition...
Video
Canada, Land Bilong Islanders, New Zealand (Aotearoa), recognition, treaties, United States of America
North America
Text
Canada, european contact, First Nations Canada, indigenous people, native American, native title, New World, Nunavat, property law, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Royal Proclamation of 1763, treaties, United States of America
...original owners of the soil...
Text
Africa, Canada, New Zealand (Aotearoa), property law, settlements, terra nullius, United States of America
Reynolds On Banks
Text
Banks, Sir Joseph, barbarism, gardening, land use, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), terra nullius
London's Attempts To Rectify Matters
Text
1788-
Britain, colonialism, colonisation, conquest, convicts, Cook, Captain James, First Fleet, humanitarians, invasion, property, property law, settlements, Tasmania, terra nullius, United States of America
Crown Land
Topic
colonisation, doctrine of tenure, indigenous Australians, International law, native title, New South Wales, sovereignty, terra nullius
Gove Case
Topic
1971
aborigines, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, Gove Peninsula, McIntyre, Greg, Nabalco, Yirrkala
Canada
Text
1763-1988
Blackburn, Justice, British Columbia, Calder v Attorney-General, 1973 , Canada, Common Law, First Nations Canada, Gove Case, International Court Case, Nisga'a, Royal Proclamation of 1763, Supreme Court USA
Signals From The High Court
Text
1973-1985
Australian Court Case, Barwick, Chief Justice, Cooper V Stuart, Deane, Sir William, High Court of Australia, Murphy, Justice, Murphy, Justice, native title, Papua New Guinea, Privy Council, United States of America
...since time immemorial...
Video
annexation, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Mer, Murray Island
...it's from my ancestor...
Video
Land Bilong Islanders, land boundaries, Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island, Rice, James
...clearly defined boundaries...
Video
1989
inheritance, Land Bilong Islanders, land boundaries, land ownership, McIntyre, Greg, Mer, Murray Island
The Skeleton Of Principle
Text
1992
Attorney-General (NSW) v Brown, 1847 , Australian Court Case, Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canberra, Common Law, crown land, doctrine of tenure, High Court judgement, High Court of Australia, High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement, Privy Council, Queensland Government, sovereignty
Settled Colony And Reception Of English Law
Text
1992
barbarism, Brennan, Justice Gerard, British law, Canberra, Common Law, land use, Mabo judgement, settlements, sovereignty, terra nullius
Recognition Of 'Native Title'
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canberra, crown land, doctrine of tenure, Mabo judgement, native title, Native Title Act (1993), recognition
Brennan On The Doctrine Of Tenures
Text
1992
Attorney-General (NSW) v Brown, 1847 , Australian Court Case, Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canberra, Common Law, conquest, crown land, crown land, doctrine of tenure, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Mabo judgement, sovereignty, terra nullius
...a legal fiction called terra nullius...
Video
1992
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Land Bilong Islanders, Native Title Act (1993), political reaction, terra nullius
Brennan On Extinguishment
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canada, Canberra, Common Law, crown land, doctrine of tenure, extinguishment, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, native title, New Zealand (Aotearoa), pastoralism, sovereignty, terra nullius, United States of America
Extinguishment & the RDA
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, Canberra, dispossession, extinguishment, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia, native title, Native Title Act (1993), Racial Discrimination Act , 1975
Native Title
Video
1993
Australian Court Case, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo judgement, native title, Native Title Act (1993), recognition, WA v Commonwealth
...A tiny island...
Video
High Court of Australia, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, plaintiffs, reconciliation, terra nullius
The Order Of The Court
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, crown land, extinguishment, High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court judgement, High Court of Australia, Mer, native title, sovereignty
Indigenous Sovereignty
Text
aboriginal property ownership, Canada, First Nations Canada, indigenous people, Marshall Cases, native title, New Zealand (Aotearoa), sovereignty, Treaty of Waitangi, 1840 , United States of America
Reynolds on Aboriginal Sovereignty
Text
High Court Decision, 03/06/1992, High Court of Australia, Native Title Act (1993), property law, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), sovereignty, terra nullius
Reynolds On Terra Nullius
Image and Text
annexation, barbarism, British law, International law, ownership, property law, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), sovereignty, terra nullius, United States of America
Mer, Waier & Dauar
Topic
Dauar, Dauar, HMS Pandora, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Meriam history, Murray Island, Waier
Activist
Topic
1962-1992
activism, human rights, indigenous rights, Mabo, Edward Koiki, politics, Torres Strait, Townsville
Ancient & Modern Ways
Topic
Great Barrier Reef, Mer, Murray Island, native title, reef, sea claims, sea rights, Subkaur Island
High Court Victory
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
Australia, Canberra, death, High Court judgement, High Court of Australia, High Court victory, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, native title
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
URL
Dec, 10, 1948
Europe, human rights, human rights, United Nations
Property & Inheritance
Topic
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property
Proclamation of Annexation
Image
Jul, 19, 1979
annexation, colonisation, crown land, doctrine of tenure, land ownership, Mer, Queensland Government, terra nullius
Defining native title: the Mabo decision
Text
crown land, cultural preservation, doctrine of tenure, High Court judgement, Mabo judgement, terra nullius
...Surrender, abandonment and extinction...
Text
Deane, Sir William, Federal Court of Australia, Gaudron, Justice Mary, land ownership, land rights, Mabo v Queensland No.2, native title, Yorta Yorta, Yorta Yorta Decision
...The Crown's power to extinguish...
Text
1992
Brennan, Justice Gerard, Common Law, crown land, dispossession, extinguishment, Mabo v Queensland No.2, sovereignty
Yirrkala & Gove
Topic
1963-1971
bark petition, Gove, industry, land rights, Marika, Roy, mining, Nabalco, Yunupingu, Galarrwuy
Land Boundaries
Topic
boundary markers, clans, inheritance, land ownership, land use, oral tradition
Meriam Land Disputes
Topic
Dauar, Depoma, Marwer, land boundaries, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island Native Court, sea rights, trespass, Waier
International Comparisons
Topic
British law, Canada, colonialism, Common Law, High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, native title, New Zealand (Aotearoa), United States of America
US Domestic Dependent Nation Doctrine
Topic
1823
indigenous people, International law, treaties, United States of America
Aboriginal Rights & Title In Canada
Topic
1973-1982
Aboriginal Title, Canada, First Nations Canada, native title, treaties, United States of America
Canada's Newest Territory Celebrates
Newspaper
Apr, 3, 1999
Canada, First Nations Canada, indigenous people, Inuit, Nunavat
Other Jurisdictions
Topic
1973
colonisation, Common Law, High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, native title, Papua New Guinea
Native Title's Vulnerability In Australia
Topic
extinguishment, High Court of Australia, indigenous people, land ownership, native title, political reaction, politics, Racial Discrimination Act
Legislation In Australia After Mabo
Topic
1990s
indigenous people, land rights, Mabo Case, Mabo judgement, mining, native title, Native Title Act (1993), pastoralism, political reaction
The '10 Point Plan'
Topic
1996
10 point plan, backlash, Canberra, extinguishment, High Court of Australia, Howard, John, Liberal - National Party coalition, Native Title Act (1993), Wik
An Expression Of Sovereignty
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement, native title, self determination, self-government, sovereignty
The Politics Of Native Title
Topic
1992-
citizenship, equality, human rights, land rights, national identity, native title, political reaction, politics
The Benefits Of Native Title
Topic
1992-
Common Law, equality, human rights, indigenous people, Mabo judgement, national identity, native title, social justice
Australia In The Eyes Of The World
Topic
1992-
Australia, Australia, Australian International Relations, human rights, indigenous people, International law, national identity, native title, social justice
The Reshaping Of National Identity
Topic
1992-
backlash, decolonisation, indigenous people, national identity, native title, reconciliation
Belonging To Country
Topic
aborigines, Australia, dreamtime, indigenous Australians, land ownership, land rights, sacred
Atninga avenging party
Image and Text
May, 1, 1901
aborigines, anthropology, Baldwin Spencer, Walter, cultural preservation, culture, custom, warriors
A Humanitarian Tradition
Topic
Australia, colonialism, Cook, Captain James, First Fleet, humanitarians, land rights, terra nullius
Charity & Sovereignty
Topic
1840s
aborigines, Australia, land ownership, New South Wales, Queen Victoria, reserves, sovereignty
Pastoral Interest & Public Interest
Topic
1830-1848
coexistence, Grey, Earl, native title, New South Wales, pastoral industry, pastoral lease, Wik
Colonial Warfare
Topic
1788-1929
Australia, colonial warfare, colonialism, colonists, genocide, land rights, martial law, massacres, Tasmania, war, Warlpiri
A Sacred Landscape
Topic
aboriginal property ownership, anthropology, Australia, clans, dispossession, kinship, land ownership, religion, sacred
Assimilation
Topic
assimilation, Australia, Australia, indigenous Australians, racism, Stolen Generation
Yirrkala
Topic
1976
Arnhem Land, bark petition, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, Kakadu National Park, Marika, Roy, Northern Territory, Yirrkala, Yolgnu, Yunupingu, Galarrwuy
Increasing Popularity Of Land Rights
Topic
1960s
Aboriginal Advancement League, Australian Labor Party, land rights, politics, Whitlam, Gough
Tent Embassy
Topic
1972
activism, Australian Labor Party, Foley, Gary, land rights, resistance, tent embassy, Whitlam, Gough
A Challenge To The Established Law
Topic
Apr, 3, 1987
Canberra, High Court of Australia, native title, Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act , 1985 , sovereignty, terra nullius
...Territory practically unoccupied...
Text
1889-1991
Australian Court Case, Blackburn, Justice, Cooper V Stuart, doctrine of tenure, Federal Court of Australia, Gove Case, Mabo v Queensland No.2, Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, 1971 , mining, Nabalco, Nettheim, Garth, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Privy Council, terra nullius, Yirrkala, Yolgnu
...Title and Ownership Distinguished...
Text
1847-1992
Attorney-General (NSW) v Brown, 1847 , Australian Court Case, Brennan, Chief Justice Gerard, Common Law, Mabo v Queensland No.2, native title, New South Wales, NSW v The Commonwealth, 1975, ownership, Radical Title, Randwick Corporation v Rutledge, 1959 , sovereignty
Extinguishment Of Native Title
Topic
Brennan, Chief Justice Gerard, claim, crown land, extinguishment, native title, plaintiffs, Radical Title, Supreme Court USA
The Murray Islanders' Evidence
Topic
1986
evidence, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, plaintiffs, witnesses
The Laws Of Malo
Topic
indigenous law, Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, religion, sacred, sacred
Malo's Law
Topic
Malo's laws, Malo-Bomai, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, religion, sacred
Sea Claims
Topic
Federal Government, Australia, fish traps, fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sacred, sea rights
The High Court Decides!
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
High Court of Australia, Mabo judgement, Mabo v Queensland No.2
Acquisition of sovereignty by settlement
Text
native title, plaintiffs, settlements, sovereignty, Toohey, Justice
...Extinguishment of native title and compensation...
Text
1992
Brennan, Chief Justice Gerard, Canada, crown land, Dawson, Justice, Deane, Sir William, extinguishment, Gaudron, Justice Mary, Guerin v The Queen, High Court of Australia, International Court Case, Mabo judgement, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Mabo v Queensland No.2, Mason, Chief Justice Anthony, native title, Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act , 1985 , Racial Discrimination Act, sovereignty, Toohey, Justice , United States of America
A Meriam Calendar, Ancient & Modern
Topic
fishing, food gathering, gardening, Mer, Meriam culture, Murray Island
Las
Topic
Las, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, Piadaram, Zogo le
Terra Nullius
Topic
colonisation, crown land, doctrine of tenure, First Fleet, New South Wales, sovereignty, terra nullius
Aboriginal & Treaty Rights In Aotearoa - NZ
Topic
1840
Common Law, Maori, native title, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Privy Council, Treaty of Waitangi, 1840
Bases For Takeovers
Topic
Jun, 3, 1992
Australian Labor Party, barbarism, Brennan, Justice Gerard, terra nullius, Whitlam, Gough
Britain's Acquisition Of Sovereignty
Topic
1879
Britain, colonisation, Mabo Case, Mer, plaintiffs, sovereignty
Murray Island Annexation
Topic
1879
annexation, colonisation, conquest, International law, Mabo Case, Mer, Murray Island, Queensland, terra nullius
Common Law Rules For New English Territories
Topic
Britain, Britain, British law, Common Law, conquest, International law
General Principles Of Native Title
Topic
aboriginal law, Common Law, native title, Native Title Act (1993)
GovernmentAuthority
Topic
1879
assimilation, Mer, Murray Island, Murray Island Council, Murray Island Native Court, Queensland, school
Human Rights
Topic
human rights, International law, Mabo judgement, Racial Discrimination Act , 1975 , United Nations
International Law
Topic
fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sea rights, seafarers, Torres Strait
Land Bilong Islanders - Mabo
Topic
Great Northern expedition, land ownership, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, sea rights
Extinguishment of Native Title Continued
Text
1989
claim, extinguishment, land ownership, native title, plaintiffs, Queen Victoria, Radical Title, sovereignty
Crown Land Continued
Text
1845-1975
Attorney-General (NSW) v Brown, 1847 , Australian Court Case, Blackburn, Justice, colonialism, crown land, doctrine of tenure, Gove Case, land ownership, Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, 1971 , Northern Territory, NSW v The Commonwealth, 1975, property law, Randwick Corporation v Rutledge, 1959 , Supreme Court of NSW, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
Mabo Case Commences
Topic
1982
claim, High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, plaintiffs
Native Title & Indigenous Law
Topic
aboriginal law, Malo's laws, native title, Native Title Act (1993), sacred
Other Lands Settled By The British
Topic
Canada, colonisation, Common Law, native title, New Zealand (Aotearoa), treaties, Treaty of Waitangi, 1840 , United States of America
Recent Changes To International Law
Topic
decolonisation, human rights, International law, Racial Discrimination Act , 1975 , treaties, United Nations
Sovereignty & Ownership Distinguished
Topic
land ownership, Mabo judgement, native title, sovereignty
Terra Nullius & Australia
Topic
crown land, dispossession, doctrine of tenure, First Fleet, land rights, resistance, terra nullius
Great Northern Expedition
Topic
1989
Great Northern expedition, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
The Doctrine Of Tenures Reconsidered
Topic
crown land, doctrine of tenure, land rights, Mabo judgement
The Gove Case
Topic
1967-1972
Arnhem Land, Australian Court Case, bark petition, Blackburn, Justice, Gove, Gove Case, land rights, Marika, Roy, Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, 1971 , mining, Nabalco, Northern Territory, Yirrkala
The Gove Decision Questioned
Topic
1971
Arnhem Land, Australian Court Case, bark petition, Blackburn, Justice, Canada, Gove, Gove Case, land rights, Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, 1971 , mining, Nabalco, Northern Territory, Yirrkala
High Court Challenge - WA vs Commonwealth
Topic
1995
backlash, Court, Richard, mining, native title, Native Title Act (1993), pastoral industry, WA v Commonwealth, Western Australia
The Mabo Case
Topic
1982-1992
High Court of Australia, International law, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, terra nullius
New Zealand
Text
1840
colonisation, Maori, New Zealand (Aotearoa), sovereignty, treaties, Treaty of Waitangi, 1840
Premiers push partial extinguishment
Newspaper
Jan, 22, 1997
backlash, Court, Richard, extinguishment, native title, Western Australia
Give blacks a living area: Mining Lobby
Newspaper
Jan, 22, 1997
AMEC (Assoc' of Mining & Exploration Co's), apartheid, backlash, Federal Government, Australia, industry, mining, native title, racism
One small step becomes giant leap
Newspaper
Jan, 22, 1997
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Queensland Government, Wik
Arrente Family - Alice Springs
Image and Text
1896
aborigines, anthropology, anthropology, Arrente, Baldwin Spencer, Walter, Central Australia, culture
Arrente Woman carrying child - Alice Springs
Image and Text
1894
aborigines, anthropology, Arrente, Baldwin Spencer, Walter, Central Australia, custom
Discrimination? I Don't See Any, Says Honest John
Newspaper
Mar, 20, 1999
10 point plan, Howard, John, racism, United Nations, Wik
...we are becoming regarded as trespassers...
Text
1910
British Columbia, Canada, land ownership, trespass
Royal Proclamation of 1763, North America
Text
1763
Royal Proclamation of 1763, United States of America
This is what indian title means
Text
1973
British Columbia, Calder v Attorney-General, 1973 , Canada, International Court Case, land ownership, Supreme Court of Canada
Wardaman Women
Image and Text
1912
aborigines, anthropology, Baldwin Spencer, Walter, custom, Northern Territory
Berry picker in camp
Image
1920s
Chipewyan, Curtis, Edward S., indigenous people, United States of America
Teton Sioux Mother & Child
Image
1920s
Curtis, Edward S., indigenous people, Sioux, United States of America
United Nations: 'Howard's Wik bill is racist'
Newspaper
Mar, 20, 1999
Howard, John, United Nations, Wik
Property And Inheritance
Text
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property