A prominent Aboriginal campaigner has recalled an unanticipated but significant encounter with Queen Elizabeth II that led to the eventual recognition of Aboriginal land rights nearly two decades later.
Michael Mansell, chairman of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, commented on his visit with Her Majesty 45 years ago following her death at Balmoral, Scotland, this week at the age of 96.
He described the obstacles he had to overcome in order to have his face-to-face meeting, which he praised as a major breakthrough for indigenous Tasmanians.
In 1977, on her Silver Jubilee tour of Australia, the Queen made a stop in Hobart.
At the time, the Tasmanian government ignored a petition demanding the restitution of land to Aboriginal Australians.
Michael Mansell, chairman of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, recalled his powerful experience with the Queen during her tour.
Mr. Mansell discovered that a civic reception in Queen’s honor would be planned, but government officials informed him that it would be an all-white affair and that no Aboriginal people would be invited.
A limousine came up outside the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre at the eleventh hour with an official invitation for an Aboriginal representative to attend.
Except for Mr. Mansell, who viewed the invitation as a perfect opportunity to personally present the petition for Aboriginal land rights to the Queen and raise awareness of the issue, everyone had left for the day.
Mr. Mansell recalled how, upon arrival at the Wrest Point Casino reception, he was encircled by police and prevented from entering.
The uproar not only drew the notice of the Tasmanian premier and Her Majesty’s principal secretary, but also the Queen herself.
Therefore, they lifted me up, and she inquired about the problem. I stated, “I have a petition that they will not allow me to present you.” Mr. Mansell wrote for NITV: “We believe that action should be taken.”
During her 1977 Silver Jubilee trip of Australia, the Queen was met by demonstrators during her visit to Hobart (shown with Lord Mayor of Hobart D.R. Plaister).
I made it clear that I was an Indigenous person, that the Crown had taken our land without compensation, and that this was unacceptable.
She listened attentively and grasped what I was saying. All of this produced a problem with the dignitaries because she had passed them on her way to visit me. ‘
Mr. Mansell handed the petition together with a box of Aboriginal artifacts, including “beads and trinkets,” to the Queen.
I was half-joking when I said, “Here, give this; now return our country.” However, she kept a straight face!
‘ He recalled.
He stated that the Queen’s Secretary would not give him to present her with the petition, but he promised her that it would not be disregarded as he described the artifacts he brought to her.
Mr. Mansell wrote for the Mercury, “I had intended to present these in exchange for her telling then-Tasmanian Premier Bill Neilson to give our lands to us — beads and trinkets for a country, I thought she might get the point.”
She again outdid me by describing comparable artifacts she had seen in New Guinea. How about New Guinea? … What does this have to do with your forefathers plundering the land of my people, I thought? But before I could finish my sentence, she was gone. Missed my golden opportunity.
“At that moment, I realized that this woman was not Queen of the Commonwealth for nothing, nor had she arrived on the latest breeze. She was a skilled diplomat who was able to deflect demands from people like myself, regardless of their legitimacy.
The next day, Mr. Mansell’s assertion that he was the sole guest at the reception whose automobile was stopped and searched by police while leaving the casino made news.
Michael Mansell, chairman of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, asserts that Aboriginal land rights legislation would not have passed in Tasmania if the Queen had not agreed to meet with him.
He characterized his encounter with the Queen as a major victory for indigenous Tasmanians because it brought the issue of land rights to the forefront of politics.
Once the issue was brought to the attention of the Queen, ministers could no longer ignore it, according to him.
After 18 years, the Tasmanian parliament finally passed legislation on Aboriginal land rights.
Mr. Mansell argues that the legislation would not have been passed if the Queen had declined to meet with him.
During her 1977 tour, Her Majesty visited each state and territory.
Following her death last week, Queen Elizabeth II continues to receive tributes.