Groom to legislate against Mabo
By Dave Wright
HOBART - A campaign of fear and misinformation has begun in
Tasmania, orchestrated by those hostile to the recent Mabo High
Court decision. They include the Tasmanian Chamber of Mines, the
Farmers and Graziers Association and the State Liberal Party.
Already several meetings have been held in the north-
west of the state, organised by anti-``native title'' forces.
This coincides with the recent claims for native title by the
Aboriginal people at Wybalenna on Flinders Island.
Liberal Premier Ray Groom announced on July 22 that the
government would vigorously oppose the claim in court. He also
foreshadowed legislation that would counter the effects of Mabo,
to be introduced possibly within the next month.
``In modern Tasmania I believe everyone should be treated fairly
and equally and we shouldn't have two types of title for
different people in the community'', he said.
Michael Mansell, legal adviser with the Tasmanian Aboriginal
Centre, replied, ``The Wybalenna claim is a call from the
Aboriginal community on Flinders Island for some acknowledgment
of the torment and hurt our people were subjected to last century
in what could only be described as a concentration camp.
``Premier Ray Groom could simply have sat down with Aboriginal
leader Glen Shaw and come to a sensible and simple settlement.
Instead he is adamant Aborigines shall remain a landless people
by using the powers of government to stop us at every move.''