What happened Monday 19 December, 2022
With that, we’ll finish our live coverage of the day’s news.
Here’s a summary of the day’s main news developments:
Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to win the world cup. You can read the Guardian’s extensive coverage, which includes reports from Doha, Buenos Aires and Paris, here.
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will fly to China this week to mark a key diplomatic milestone in the latest sign of easing tensions between the two countries.
Victoria police have charged three men in relation to the mass pitch invasion at the A-League Men Melbourne derby on Saturday.
The Albanese government has been accused of betraying public schools after delaying a new funding agreement by one year.
The founder of Hillsong church, Brian Houston, has told a court he believes his father was a “serial paedophile” and the extent of his crimes may not be known.
Australians are being urged not to seek out contaminated baby spinach products for a recreational high after more than 130 people who ate a range of fresh food items suffered symptoms including hallucinations and delirium. Late on Monday, Food Standards Australia New Zealand confirmed that all affected products linked to the Riviera Farms baby spinach in question have been identified and recalled.
Have a great evening. We’ll be back again tomorrow.
Updated
NSW government settles Widjabul Wia-bal native title claim
The federal court has recognised the Widjabul Wia-bal people hold native title over more than 11,500 hectares around the Lismore area in northern NSW.
On Monday, the NSW government settled a native title claim over public land and waters in the Northern Rivers area including flood-ravaged Lismore in a historic court sitting in Goonellabah, reports AAP.
The decision means native title holders have legally recognised rights to access the parks and practise their culture in parks, including camping and using resources.
Ashley Moran, a Widjabul Wia-bal claimant, told hundreds of Indigenous residents in attendance the arduous process had taken more than 20 years to be finalised.
“Native title recognition is a long process that started from the efforts of a number of elders way back in 2002,” he said.
The 1992 high court success of Eddie Mabo, a Meriam man, recognised native title in Australian law for the first time.
Attorney general Mark Speakman said the court’s determination marked an important moment for the Widjabul Wia-bal of the Bundjalung Nation, who have cared for the land and waters for thousands of years.
Appearing in court as NSW’s first law officer, Speakman provided oral submissions on behalf of the state.
“We recognise what the Widjabul Wia-bal have always known – this is Widjabul Wia-bal land,” Speakman said.
“The Widjabul Wia-bal and the NSW government have worked together to deliver the Widjabul Wia-bal’s vision for greater land management opportunities, economic prosperity and employment opportunities.”
“Today is both a solemn and joyous occasion”, the attorney general said in a packed gym on Monday. “Solemn because of the gravity of the Widjabul Wia-bal being formally recognised by this court as the native title holders of this area under their traditional laws and customs.”
“Joyous because your honour will recognise what the Widjabul Wia-bal people have always been told by their old people – that this is their country, always was and always will be”.
Updated
