National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate today issued four challenges to James Cook University law graduates, using references to the famous Mabo case which led to the High Court's recognition of native title on June 3 1992 - almost 10 years ago.
At today's law graduation ceremony in Townsville, Mr Neate exhorted the graduates to keep the Mabo case in mind as they pursued their careers and personal lives, challenging them to 'use your intellect', 'work hard', 'strive to achieve a just society' and 'get a life'.
'Each of you, whatever your profession or discipline, should use your intellect to solve problems,' Mr Neate told the graduates. 'But, like Eddie Mabo, you should also use your intellect when raising issues - sometimes difficult and even controversial issues - for discussion. Then you should play your part in informing the debate.'
Mr Neate said the recognition of native title in Australia had taken a collective effort, involving many people from lawyers to volunteers and their spouses and friends. It had also presented the High Court justices who decided the case with more than just an intellectual challenge.
'The issue before them raised questions about a just society and about the role of the common law - in maintaining a just society.'
He said that although there was now widespread cceptance in Australia that native title was here to stay, the debate about aspects of the Native Title Act continued.
'Whatever the outcome of that debate, it is for those of us who administer the Act and those most affected by it, to work together to ensure that just, practical and enduring outcomes are achieved.'
He said the National Native Title Tribunal assisted native title claimants and other people directly affected by native title applications to agree on the relationship between native title rights and any other interests.
'Sometimes it takes a creative thought, coupled with goodwill on all sides, to find the way forward.'
It was at a conference in Townsville in 1981 organised by the Townsville chapter of the Aboriginal Treaty Committee and the James Cook University Students' Union that Eddie Mabo first discussed the idea of a court case with sympathetic lawyers.
Eddie Mabo worked as a gardener and part-time teacher at JCU during the 1970s. It took 10 years from the commencement of proceedings in the Mabo case to the judgment in the High Court.
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