Historic land return in Cape York
Nearly 40 years ago, Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen blocked a bid by Cape York Aboriginal stockman to buy land on which to start a cattle enterprise. Today this land was officially handed back to the Wik Mangun people, including descendents of these heroes of the land rights movement.
At an emotional ceremony in Coen on the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman formally returned more than 75,000 hectares of land to the Wik Mungkan traditional owners.This marks the end of a long battle for this country.The Wik Mungkan people now hold freehold title to 75,000 hectares of their traditional homelands. An additional 380,000 hectares of national park will now come under joint-management.Image by Rachel Evans. Supporters of Aboriginal land rights marching in Canberra on 26 January 2012.