The Australian Senate has passed a motion to support Gweagal man Rodney Kelly’s attempts to negotiate the return of the Gweagal shield and spears from the British Museum.
Mr Kelly made history in August after the New South Wales Parliament passed a motion acknowledging the Gweagal clan as the rightful owners of the artefacts – which were taken from his ancestor Cooman in 1770.
The motion was brought forward by Greens Senator Rachel Siewert and was successfully passed on voices with a qualification from the government.
The Coalition voiced its opposition to the motion saying they recognised the legal title of the museum to the artefacts.
Mr Kelly says he never expected his campaign to get this far.
Senator Siewert says it was a step in the right direction towards addressing First Nation’s issues.
