• What would it take for Aborigines to feel that justice is done? Can we spell out our terms for a just settlement?

•  It is time for us to take the initiative. We must drive the agenda instead of responding to government policy.

• How much land do we want returned? What rights do we believe we should exercise over our lands?

• Is our political representation to be within the white system or beside it?

• It is time for us to make decisions on these and other critical issues that decide our future.

Bio

Michael Mansell was Legal Manager of Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. He is

the secretary of the Aboriginal Provisional Government. He is a qualified

Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and the High

Court of Australia.

His Aboriginal heritage is Trawlwoolway on his mother's side and

Pinterrairer on his father's side. Both tribes are from the North East of

Tasmania.

Michael has devoted his life to the cause of his people. He has written

many articles on social, political and law reform. Those subjects include:

The Australian Constitution; Aboriginal Customary law; Cultural and

Intellectual Property; The Human Genome Project; Land Rights; and

Aboriginal Sovereignty.

He has been active as a lawyer in not only defending his people's rights in

the courts, but pushing to change the laws which adversely affect Aborigines.

Michael has been a controversial figure at the national level on Aboriginal

politics. Whilst being respected by his own people he has been a strong

advocate for Aboriginal rights and in doing so, has often struck a raw

nerve with politicians and sections of the media.