Well, it was actually worse than that - they basically claimed that the land belonged to noone (aka "terra nullis"), so it was free to claim for mother England, without having to bother entering into any treaty, or make payment. Hence Mabo.
And most likely they only claimed terra nulis because basicly the aboriginal peoples were so docile and scattered. Unlike the warring Maori tribes who were more aggressive towards the British and stood their ground. They weren't push overs.
There's countless stories of Aboriginals helping save the lives of injured, lost settlers and explorers. They realised their way of life was lost forever.
Do we really have to force them to accept, even these days, that they don't deserve the recognition they legally should have.
Yes they stole sheep but the concept of ownership was foreign to them and also they were being driven off their lands and food source.
Really we are lucky they are such a peaceful lot. They haven't risen up or got violent as most other countries native peoples have or different backgrounds. Think Serbs, African tribes, US etc etc even Fiji.
They are making peaceful protests with tent embassies etc and not wanting to sing an anthem that does not honour their participation.
If they started carrying out an eye for an eye, causing death and destruction of property, as other peoples conquered by colonial powers, then we need to be outraged with our Aborgines.
Not before, for carrying out their right to be heard in this way.
Good luck to them.