An Analysis of the Impact of the New South Wales Land Rights Act 1983 and its Relevance to Archaeology

Abstract

'A DAY THAT SHOCKED THE OUTBACK' read the headline. On 30 March 1985, the Weekend Australian ran a story about how a group of Aboriginal people had purchased (sight unseen) a 35,000 ha property for $1 million. The article detailed how several Local Aboriginal Land Councils had agreed to pool their money to purchase land, and how, when Weinteriga came on the market, the combined Councils considered carefully how to go about the purchase. They decided to hire a white lawyer with a reputation for representing rich clients. They did not visit the station, being aware that their interest might not be welcome. They knew it by reputation (46 shady kilometres of river frontage) and some of their number had worked on the place when young. As the auction approached, rumours spread concerning big money. This worried the Aborigines, who were unaware that it was their money on which the rumour was based. On the day, the Aboriginal bid was the highest. The reserve price was not reached. The lawyer representing the Aboriginal people went into conference with the vendor and a price was agreed. The vendor then asked who the buyer was. When told, 'he was shocked ... visibly shaken. He said he wanted half an hour to think about it. No-one had a clue who was bidding. No-one thought the Land Councils had that sort of money. Everyone still thinks it was some sort of grant or an ADC (Aboriginal Development Commission) grant.' How was it that this event came to pass and what is its significance for relationships between Aborigines and interest groups such as archaeologists?