Human rights themes
Each event in the timeline is tagged with an icon representing one of the following themes:
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The fight for equality
Life and health
Civil liberties
Children and families
Prisons and institutions
These themes reflect the consistent patterns that emerged during the timeline’s development.
1946 to1999: Rights movements and legal change
1945 to 2020 – Mine safety inquiries
A series of inquiries followed major mining disasters that resulted in loss of life:
- 1954: Collinsville State Coal Mine (7 deaths)
- 1975, 1986, 1994: Moura (36 deaths across 3 incidents)
- 2020: Mine Safety Board of Inquiry investigated 40 methane gas incidents in a single year.
1946 – Free public hospital treatment
Queensland was the first state to introduce free treatment in public hospitals, which improved access to health care.
1946 – The Aboriginals Preservation and Protection Amendment Act
This Act allowed a protector
to forcibly relocate individuals classified as aboriginal
and permitted their admissions of guilt as evidence if deemed voluntary and understood in court.
1957 – Palm Island strike
The Palm Island strike protested wage non-payment after an Aboriginal resident faced deportation for defying an overseer. Seven residents were forcibly removed, and in 2007, the Queensland Government apologised to the strikers’ surviving wives.
1957 – NADOC
The National Aboriginal Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was established, and the second Sunday in July was chosen to become a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage, replacing Aborigines Day.
1961 – Westbook Farm Home for Boys investigation
An enquiry uncovered excessive punishment, assaults, and a punitive environment contrary to its intended rehabilitative purpose.
1963 – Yirrkala Bark Petitions
In August 1963, two Yolŋu bark petitions were presented to Parliament, calling for land rights and incorporating First Nations land representations. The 1963 petitions remain on display, with four more presented in later years.
1965 – Aborigines’ and Torres Strait Islanders’ Affairs Act 1965
This Act replaced the Torres Strait Islander Act 1939, removing some restrictions but introducing the concept of an assisted Aborigine or Islander.
The Director of Aboriginal and Island Affairs controlled ‘assisted’ individuals, including relocation and property decisions.
1965 – The Freedom Ride
In 1965, Charles Perkins and students led the Freedom Ride through Northern NSW, exposing segregation, discrimination, and poor living conditions. The protest brought national attention to racism, some of which persists today.
1967 – Referendum
The Australian people voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and include them in the Census.
1967 to 1977 – Student protests and civil disobedience
A decade of activism saw protests against conscription, the Vietnam War, and uranium mining, with many arrested under street march bans. Global civil rights movements inspired local action for Indigenous rights and land justice.
1969 – Ban lifted on married women in the public sector
Queensland lifted its ban on married women holding permanent public sector positions, advancing gender equity in employment.
1970 – Vietnam War moratoriums
Nationwide protests called for an end to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war and compulsory military conscription.
1971 - Springbok tour protests
Anti-Apartheid protests erupted during the South African rugby tour. In response, the Queensland Premier declared a month-long state of emergency.
1971 - The Aborigine Act and the Torres Strait Islanders Act
These Acts repealed the 1965 legislation and established the Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, made up of Island council Chairmen to advise the Minister on Islander affairs.
1972 - Aboriginal Tent Embassy
On 26 January 1972, 4 men set up a beach umbrella outside Parliament House, calling it the Aboriginal Embassy to protest opposition to land rights. Despite police removals, it became permanent in 1992 and remains the world’s longest-running First Nations land rights protest.
1972 – Australian Black Panther Party
The first Australian Black Panther Party was formed in Brisbane by Dennis Walker and Sam Watson to fight for equality in education, health, and legal rights, and to end discriminatory laws and police harassment.
1972 – First Aboriginal barrister appointed
Lloyd McDermott (Mullenjaiwakka) from Eidsvold became the first Aboriginal barrister in Australia.
1972 – Forced control over wages ceases
The forced control over wages and savings of Aboriginal people living on reserves in Queensland ceased.
1972 - Queensland Senator Neville Bonner
He was returned as a Liberal Senator for Queensland and served until 1983.
1973 – National Aboriginal Consultative Committee
The NACC was established by the Whitlam government with nine members from Queensland.
1974 – National Party candidate, Eric Deeral, elected
Mr Deeral was elected to the seat of Cook in the Queensland Parliament. He was the first Aboriginal person elected to the Queensland Parliament.
1974 – Lease application
John Koowartha and a group of Winychanam people applied for a lease of a cattle station on the Archer River through the newly created Aboriginal Land Fund Commission.
1974 – Marpuna Community Aboriginal Corporation established
The first of Mapoon’s old residents returned to New Mapoon to establish the Marpuna Community Aboriginal Corporation.
1975 – Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
This federal Act came into effect and made it unlawful to discriminate based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin.
1975 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws Act) 1975
The Federal Parliament passed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws Act) 1975 to override the major objectionable provisions of the Queensland laws.
1976 – Cedar Bay Raid
A remote community in far north Queensland was raided by police and federal agents. Homes were destroyed and property confiscated, raising concerns about excessive force and civil rights.
1976 – Archer River cattle station
John Koowartha and the Winychanam applicants attempted to buy Archer River cattle station but were blocked by the Queensland Government. Koowartha lodged a racial discrimination complaint, which was upheld by the Human Rights Commission. The case reached the High Court after the Queensland Government appealed, which ruled in favour of Koorwartha.
1977 – Street march ban
Queensland invoked a ban on street marches, particularly targeting anti-uranium mining protests.
1981 – International Year of Disabled Persons
The United Nation’s focus on disability rights promoted a shift toward inclusion, accessibility, and removing barriers for people with disability.
1982 – Meriam people commenced legal proceedings
The Meriam people’s legal action led to the Mabo No. 2 High Court decision, which overturned terra nullius and recognised native title, affirming First Nations’ enduring connection to their land as a legal right.
1982 – High Court case of Koowartha v Bjelke-Peterson
The High Court case of Koowartha v Bjelke-Peterson [1982] HCA 27 confirmed that legislation passed by the Queensland Government preventing John Koowartha from acquiring an Archer River cattle station lease was in breach of the federal Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
1982 – Queensland Land Act (Aboriginal and Islander Land Grants) Amendment
The Queensland Land Act (Aboriginal and Islander Land Grants) Amendment Act was passed, providing for grants of certain reserve lands to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils as Deeds of Grant in Trust (DOGIT).
1983 – CEDAW ratified
Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), committing to gender equality and action on domestic violence, reproductive rights, and workplace equity.
1983 – HIV epidemic
The arrival of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in Australia was met with widespread stigma and discrimination, particularly against gay men and people living with HIV.
1984 – Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984
This Act replaced the Torres Strait Islander Act 1971 , ending Protectionist policies. It granted limited local government powers to Island councils and formed the Island Coordinating Council to connect community councils with the government.
1987 – Our Homeless Children report
A national inquiry revealed widespread neglect, abuse, and exploitation of homeless children, and called for urgent reform to child protection and housing.
1987 – The last Aboriginal Mission in Queensland closed
The last Aboriginal mission to close in Queensland was the Bloomfield River Mission, which was officially closed in 1987. This mission was located at Wujul Wujul on the Cape York Peninsula.
1988 – Kennedy Report on Corrective Services
The review recommended closing Boggo Road Prison, renaming prisons as correctional centres, and expanding community-based alternatives such as home detention and work release.
1988 – The Barunga Statement
Galarrwuy Yunupingu, leader of the Gumatj clan, presented the Barunga Statement to the Prime Minister at the Barunga Festival. Combining Yolŋu, Arrernte, and Warlpiri art with English text, it called for self-determination, land rights, compensation, and full rights for Indigenous peoples.
1989 – Convention Against Torture ratified
Australia ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture, committing to prevent cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in all settings.
1990 – Homosexuality decriminalised in Queensland
Queensland decriminalised homosexuality, marking a major step forward for LGBTQIA+SB rights.
1990 – Convention on the Rights of the Child
Australia ratified the United Nations Convention, affirming the rights of children to protection, education, and participation.
1991 – Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)
Queensland passed comprehensive anti-discrimination law to protect people from unfair treatment, sexual harassment, and other objectionable conduct.
1991 – National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC)
With a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture. The committee then became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). This new name has become the title for the whole week, not just the day.
1991 – Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
The Commission investigated 27 deaths in custody in Queensland, exposed systemic failures, and recommended sweeping reforms.
1991 – Ward 10B Inquiry (Carter Commission of Inquiry)
An inquiry into psychiatric care at Townsville General Hospital found widespread neglect, unethical treatment, and preventable deaths had occurred. Sixty-five patients died in circumstances that justified close investigation.
1991 – Commonwealth Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established in 1991 to promote reconciliation by 2001, Australia’s centenary of Federation. National Reconciliation Week began in 1996, running from 27 May (1967 referendum anniversary) to 3 June (Mabo decision anniversary).
1992 – Peaceful Assembly Act 1992 (Qld)
This Act replaced police-issued permits with a right to hold peaceful public assemblies.
1992 – Health Rights Commission established
This Commission was created to protect patient rights and improve health care accountability. It became the Office of the Health Ombudsman in 2014.
1992 – Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Qld)
This law gave individuals the right to access government-held information about themselves. It was later replaced by the Right to information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009.
1992 – Mabo decision
The High Court of Australia delivered the Mabo No. 2 decision that declared terra nullius a myth and established native title as a recognisable property right in Australian law.
1993 – Federal Native Title Act
Following the Mabo (No.2) decision, the Commonwealth passed the Native Title Act in 1993, which established a framework for the protection and recognition of native title, including the right to access an area of land, or the right to participate in decisions concerning how the land or waters are used by other people.
1994 – Murrandoo Yanner case
The High Court recognised traditional hunting, gathering, and fishing rights for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples under native title in Queensland.
1994 – Torres Strait Regional Authority
The Torres Strait Regional Authority was established by the Commonwealth government to manage the Torres Strait region. The authority included a board with 20 elected members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who lived in the region.
1994 – End of compulsory retirement
Queensland abolished compulsory age retirement under the Anti-Discrimination Act, supporting older workers’ rights.
1995 – Stewart report on the Basil Stafford Centre
The inquiry found systemic abuse and neglect at the facility which provided accommodation and care for people with intellectual disability, and recommended that it be closed.
1996 – Wik decision
In 1996, the High Court’s Wik decision ruled that Queensland pastoral leases did not extinguish native title. It found native title could coexist with leaseholder rights, as the leases did not grant exclusive possession.
1997 – Bringing Them Home
This national inquiry documented the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations.
1998 – National Sorry Day
The first National Sorry Day was held a year after the Bringing Them Home report, which highlighted the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and honoured those who shared their stories. Many recommendations remain unimplemented, and First Nations children are still removed at higher rates than during the Stolen Generations, disrupting their connection to culture and community. Sorry Day calls for action on the report’s recommendations and acknowledges ongoing systemic failures.
1998 to 1999 – Forde Inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry exposed widespread abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of children in Queensland institutions dating back to 1911.
1999 – Queensland Parliament Apology
On 26 May 1999, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie moved a motion in Parliament apologising to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for policies that forcibly separated children from their families. The motion expressed deep sorrow, acknowledged past wrongs, and committed to reconciliation and equal respect. It was carried by the House.
Explore more of the timeline
The timeline is not a comprehensive historical record. It presents a curated selection of key events – many involving the State – that have significantly affected the human rights of people in Queensland.