1980
Ernie Bridge (ALP, MLA Kimberley) becomes the first Aboriginal member of the
Western Australian Parliament.
WA Government and CSR support Amax Mining Corporation who enter
Noonkanbah community and drill into Ngarranggari sacred site.
1983
Aboriginal Land Inquiry, headed by Paul Seaman, Q.C. is established to make recommendations
to the Government 'for a scheme of legislation for land related measures
for the benefit of Aboriginal people' in Western Australia. Report presented
in 1984.
1984
The AAPA becomes independent of the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal
Affairs.
Enrolment and voting in Commonwealth elections made compulsory for Indigenous
people.
1985
The National Aboriginal Conference is disbanded.
1986
A separate Aboriginal Affairs portfolio is created in Western Australia and the
Hon Ernie Bridge, MLA, appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
1987
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths
in Custody is established
by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to investigate the deaths
of ninety-nine Aboriginal persons in police and prison custody.
The State Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs, Police and Corrective
services establish an Interim Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
in Western Australia.
Commonwealth Government launches the Aboriginal Employment Development
Policy to assist Aboriginal people achieve equity with other Australians
in terms of employment and economic status.
The Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs and Health co-chair the first
national meeting of a joint Ministerial Forum on Aboriginal Health.
1988
Thousands of Indigenous people and supporters march through the streets of Sydney
to celebrate survival, on the Bicentennial of British invasion of Australia.
1989
Royal Commission appoints Patrick Dodson as Commissioner for Western
Australia to consider 'underlying issues' of Aboriginal
deaths in custody.
The National Aboriginal Health Strategy is presented to the Joint
Ministerial Forum.
The third national health survey (conducted by the ABS) provides, for
the first time, for the identification of Indigenous people.
