| Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Queensland | |
| |
| Citation | Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 |
| Enacted | 15 April 1985 |
| Related legislation | |
| Racial Discrimination Act 1975 | |
| Status: Repealed | |
The Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 was an Act of the Parliament of Queensland, the intent of which was to retroactively abolish native title claims by Torres Strait Islanders to islands off the coast of Queensland, specifically Murray Island.[1] It was passed in response to court proceedings started by the Torres Strait Meriam people led by Eddie Mabo, who were attempting to have their land claims recognised by the common law.[2] The Act was condemned by supporters of the Indigenous Australian civil rights movement.[3] The act was overturned in the 1988 Mabo v Queensland (No 1) High Court case, which found it inconsistent with the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.[4]
- ^ "ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project". www.atns.net.au. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ "Mabo case". Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
The Queensland Parliament passed the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 in an attempt to pre-empt the Meriam peoples' case. The aim of the legislation was to retrospectively extinguish the claimed rights of the Meriam people to the Murray Islands.
- ^ "Mabo/...Condemnation..., 1985". mabonativetitle.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ "Mabo - a timeline". ABC News. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2017.