Question

discuss the importance of terra nulius in relation to the historical foundations of Australian law

Answer 1

The term -"Terra nullius" states that the land does not belongs to anyone or nobody's land. Throughout the Western democracy's development this doctrine has existed in the law of the countries. It is important in regard to the historical foundations of Australian land laws because the British colonisation and subsequent land laws in Australia were based and established on the claim that Australia was terra nullius and the acquisition by British occupation were justified without payment or treaty. It denied effectively the prior connection and occupation of the land by the indigenous people