Tasmania's Legislative Council passed a bill March 23 to return the sparsely
populated Cape Barren and Clarke Islands to the control of Aboriginal community
members. According to ABC's Message Stick news, Clyde Mansell of the Aboriginal
Land Council said the decision has put Aboriginal reconciliation "20 years
in advance of the rest of Australia." The debate in the council lasted nearly
two days and ended in a 7-5 vote. Mansell told The Mercury the land transfer
will increase job opportunities for the Tasmanian Aborigines and help them preserve
their culture.
