Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sovereignty Reality or Myth

Glenn Shaw

  ABSTRACT:

Since the decision on Mabo (No2) in the High Court, the question of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sovereignty has been firmly placed on the agenda for resolution.  This paper looks at the High Court decision to remove the myth of terra nullius and considers the options of the manner in which the Crown could have acquired Sovereignty. Glenn argues that in fact the Crown has not acquired Sovereignty in any Internationally accepted manner, and that it still remains with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, because we have never ceded those rights.

BIO – Glenn Shaw.

Glenn is a Palawa man from North Eastern Tasmania.  Glenn has a wealth of experience working in the Aboriginal community in his home State of Tasmania as well as Western Australia.  Glenn looks at a Treaty from the community perspective, and what the benefits and pitfalls may be from any negotiated Treaty.

  Glenn is a member of the Aboriginal Provisional Government (APG) and has been considering the status of Aboriginal Sovereignty for many years, and sees it as a matter of great importance for the community to deal with.

  In his work within the Aboriginal community he has worked in positions such as Legal Aid, Youth, Housing, State Secretary of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) and was most recently the Executive Officer of the Land & Heritage Unit of the ALSWA.   Glenn also has a long history of connection to the Deaths In Custody Watch Committee and is currently in his fourth year as a Chairperson of the Committee.

  Glenn sees the need for equity in development and delivery of domestic policy as one of the areas which need a great deal of advancement and development if the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is to advance to our full capacity.