Transcript of Radio interview on BBC Radio Greater London Radio, 26.11.98   about AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL LAND   Lainey Malcarne (Presenter) A delegation of Aborigines has arrived in the capital to persuade Western nations to support their battle for land rights. They say their land was stolen from them by white Australians which has led to an erosion of their culture and human rights. London is their first stop before taking their case to a United Nations conference. Naresh Poorie Naresh Poories reports: A delegation of Aborigines arrived here at the headquarters of the Foreign Press Association near Trafalgar Square, to brief reporters on what they call their right for justice. They say they're highlighting a change in policy in Australia. A law was passed this year, taking away their right to a large part of land which is nearly half of Australia, and they can't negotiate. Peter Yu, an Aboriginal leader says, the treatment of his people is similar to what happened centuries ago. Peter Yu Yes, I believe that the government's trying to take us back to 'terra nullius', that is to empty land, which is the repugnant legal doctrine upon which Australia was colonised, and therefore we were treated like animals and plants, and the government's amendments to the legislation in regards to our common law legal rights to land and our customs and our tradition is seriously under threat. Naresh Poorie The Aborigines who've been on the land now called Australia for over 50,000 years say they've never enjoyed equality or justice ever since settlers arrived in the county. They point to the 1905 Aborigines Act which they say sparkled the apartheid laws in South Africa. Inter-racial marriage was banned, mixed race children were taken away from Aborigines, curfew orders were in place at 6 o'clock, and the authorities even place Aborigines in assimilation camps to make them behave like white people. Despite these laws being scrapped, the Aborigines say their situation has hardly changed over the years. They're now struggling against a proposal, supported by Australia to scrap a United Nations Article which guarantees self determination for indigenous people. The government has offered self empowerment, which the Aborigines says means nothing. They argue they need to save their culture, identity and language and self determination is the only way to do that. Peter Yu is angry at the Australian government's stance. Peter Yu It has very strong connotations to a racially motivated policy and a very paternalistic and patronising one at that, that we are somehow incapable because of our belief systems, because of our colour, because of who we are, because of our religious belief. Naresh Poorie The Australian High Commission in London could not provide anybody to comment on the issue raised by the Aborigines. Meanwhile, over the next 24 hours, they will need M.P.s and human rights organisations to drum up support for their cause.   Charles Lane from Pilot Light, a pressure group which brought over the Aborigines, says British government officials have a duty to help. Charles Lane If they listen to this story, about what.. how indigenous people in Australia have been treated they'll be very very shocked indeed, and I think they'll feel that they didn't leave Australia in good state, that when they.. when Australia became an independent country and governed its own affairs, they left a lot of business undone, and that business undone is now still with us, it needs to be addressed. It cannot be addressed alone by this country of course, and I think the Australian government have to understand that the world is watching, the world is interested as to how it is going to deal with this problem, because it's all of our problem. Naresh Poorie The Aborigines will now move on to a United Nations conference on indigenous people which starts on Monday. They're confident people will now become more aware of their campaign. Lainey Malcarne   Naresh Poorie with that report.   Bulletin: Aboriginal Australian delegation visits Britain ... Statement by Peter Yu ...