History and Government Australia History and Government

Map of Australia (and Oceania)

The Region’s Countries Australia New Zealand New Guinea Solomon Islands

Quick History . . . 40,000 BC – Australia is first inhabited by Aboriginal people (from Asia) Grew to 500 different Aboriginal groups 1000 AD – the Maori (from Polynesia) settle in New Zealand 1769/70 – Capt. James Cook explored the two islands – Australia and New Zealand First exposure of the British to the area.

Quick History . . . 1788 – Britain began colonizing Australia The island was referred to as New South Wales until 1820 Britain used the island as an area to relocate prisoners, but also as a location for naval bases 1840 – Treaty of Waitangi Signed by the British and several Maori tribes Two sides to the agreement English – gave Great Britain complete control Maori – gave Britain “governorship” This led to disagreements over land ownership  Land Wars 1851 (Australia) & 1861 (New Zealand) – gold is discovered This led to a new wave of immigrants entering the area in search of wealth and opportunity . . . Many did not find it, but stayed anyway.

Quick History . . . 1901 – unification of the colonies existing within Australia into a single, independent nation* 1907 – New Zealand becomes self-governing* 1999 – a referendum was introduced in Australia to become an independent republic, but it was defeated. The Australians could not agree on how a head of state should be selected. *These countries remained in the British Commonwealth, meaning there is still a free association between the Britain and these countries.

The Region’s Governments Democracy Basic definition – government authority is based on the will of the people People will vote directly on the issues, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them. Other Government Types: Federal Parliamentary State Parliamentary Democracy

Important People Eddie Mabo A Torres Strait islander that went to court when he discovered that his family did not own their traditional lands (under Australian law) The Australian High Court reached the decision that the family did have reason to claim the land. Through this decision, the court recognized that Aboriginal people had owned land before the British arrived (overturned Terra Nullius)

Important Groups The Aborigines Group that migrated from Asia about 40,000 years ago . . . some of the first inhabitants of the land Developed a complex system of religious beliefs and social structures They lived off the land by hunting and gathering Dealt with violent conflicts with the British upon their colonization of Australia The British claimed the lands that the Aborigines lived on, and the natives were forced off the lands . . . Present Day - the natives are fighting for the rights of their ancestral lands

20th Century Issues Aboriginal Fight for Land, 1960-2000 1967 – Aboriginal people become Australian citizens 1972 – protesters erect the Aboriginal Tent Embassy 1976 – Land Rights Act allows Aboriginal people to claim land in Northern Territory 1992 – the ruling in the lawsuit brought by Eddie Mabo overturns doctrine of Terra Nullius Terra Nullius – “empty land”; allowed for the British to take away lands from the Aborigines without making treaties 1996 – the Wik case allows Aboriginal people to claim land leased by farmers and ranchers