Mabo v Queensland (No. 2): 30th Anniversary

The’ Mabo v Queensland (No. 2)’ decision was handed down in the High Court of Australia on 3 June 1992. ‘Mabo’, as it has come to be known, altered the foundation of land law in Australia. It provided official recognition of the inherent rights of Indigenous Australians to their traditional lands.

In 2001, the ‘Mabo Case Manuscripts’ were inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

The Library holds an extensive collection of material relating to the Mabo decision and its lead applicant, Eddie Koiki Mabo.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mabo decision, the Library invited Gail Mabo, Eddie’s daughter, to select material for display to mark this landmark moment in Australian legal history.

Explore the display in the Library’s Treasures Gallery, open 9am to 5pm daily (excluding Christmas Day). Entry to the Gallery is free and no bookings are required. A free booklet containing an interview with Gail Mabo about the significance of the Library’s Mabo Collection is available in the exhibition.

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this display contains material which may be considered culturally sensitive, including the depictions of people who have passed away.