Comment: Abbott's Mabo visit met with cynicism online

A traditional farewell is given to Prime minister Tony Abbott as he visits the grave of land rights activist Eddie Mabo.

A traditional farewell is given to Prime minister Tony Abbott as he visits the grave of land rights activist Eddie Mabo.(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

‘Eddie Mabo’ is trending across social media as the Prime Minister Tony Abbott visits the grave of the revered, late land rights campaigner on Mer Island in far north Queensland.
Eddie Koiki Mabo holds an iconic status in Australian history - particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

But not everyone is impressed by the Prime Minister’s visit.

The Opposition Leader took a swipe, telling reporters in Cairns that he was pleased to see the prime minister making the trip.
"I think hopefully this shows a maturing in Mr Abbott's views from 20 years ago when he said ... the Mabo decision was dividing Australia," Mr Shorten said on Monday after greeting Bonita Mabo, Eddie’s widow.
On Twitter, similar comments have been made.

Twitter MABO Trending: Abbott visiting the grave of Eddie Mabo..from a man who says that Australia was 'uninhabited' before the arrival of the British colonials:

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Published 24 August 2015 3:17pm
Updated 24 August 2015 3:51pm
By Luke Briscoe


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