The Nature Between Us

EP5 Virginia Marshall - Overturning Aqua Nullius & Restoring Aboriginal Water Rights

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Episode notes

It's been three decades since the landmark Mabo decision overturned the concept of terra nullius - land belonging to no one - yet the idea of aqua nullius and the fight for restoring Aboriginal water rights remains. In this episode Tessa speaks to Wiradjuri Nyemba woman Dr Virginia Marshall about detangling the complex web of water management, the Royal Commission into the Murray Darling basin and the commodification of water. Virginia is a practicing lawyer and a duty solicitor specialising in intellectual property and traditional knowledge. She's also an Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Water Trust and was a member of the inaugural Indigenous Water Summit established by the National Water Commission. In addition she was the first Indigenous postdoctoral fellow with ANU and a winner of the Stanner Award with her thesis "A web of Aboriginal water rights: Examining the competing Aboriginal claim for water property rights and interests in Australia". Keep up to date with Virginias work via ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance : https://regnet.anu.edu.au/our-people/academic/virginia-marshall This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin