Which case recognized Indigenous peoples' native title in Australia?

• A. Mabo v Queensland (No.2)
• B. Croome v Tasmania
• C. Roach v Electoral Commissioner
• D. Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Answer: (A)

Recognising Indigenous peoples’ native title is about acknowledging that certain land rights survive under Indigenous laws and customs even after colonization. In Mabo v Queensland (No 2), the High Court rejected terra nullius and held that native title could exist in Australian law where Indigenous communities had maintained connection to the land under their traditional laws. This decision established that native title is a real, legally recognisable interest and laid the groundwork for a framework to determine and protect those rights, later guiding the Native Title Act 1993. The other cases deal with different legal issues and do not establish recognition of native title, so this case is the one that directly answers the question.