Waltzing Matilda: A Semiotic Reading of Wik
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Author(s)
Tranter, Kieran
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
1998
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Drawing upon the work of Peter Goodrich, this article undertakes a semiotic reading of Justice Michael Kirby's judgment in the High Court's decision in Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996). It attempts to read the judgment from within the common law tradition. What is revealed is a way of travelling and a symbolic order removed from the established symbols of Australian colonialism. The common law declares itself sovereign. In exploring a way across the post-Mabo legal landscape it institutes a new colonialism, mapping and subjugating the old colonial order.Drawing upon the work of Peter Goodrich, this article undertakes a semiotic reading of Justice Michael Kirby's judgment in the High Court's decision in Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996). It attempts to read the judgment from within the common law tradition. What is revealed is a way of travelling and a symbolic order removed from the established symbols of Australian colonialism. The common law declares itself sovereign. In exploring a way across the post-Mabo legal landscape it institutes a new colonialism, mapping and subjugating the old colonial order.
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Journal Title
Law in Context
Volume
16
Issue
2
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 1998 Federation Press. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Law