Re Phillips; Ex parte Aboriginal Development Commission

Abstract

Territory — Modes of acquisition — Australia — Basis for British claim to sovereignty in eighteenth century — Whether eastern Australia terra nullius — Status of Aboriginal peoples — Whether possessing sovereignty over territory — Whether land inhabited by Aborigines terra nullius — Relevance to question of sovereignty over Australia today

Jurisdiction — Territorial — Jurisdiction over persons in territory of State — Indigenous peoples — Whether immune from the jurisdiction of the courts — Aboriginal peoples — The law of Australia