HOBART - The federal government has agreed to fund a legal battle to stop Britain testing the remains of Tasmanian Aborigines, ending a week-long furore over the case's future.
Lawyers representing the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) can now begin preparing submissions against the British Natural History Museum.
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TAC this week won an interim injunction to stop the museum testing the bones and skulls of 17 Aborigines and will apply for a permanent ban to the High Court in London next Thursday.
TAC legal director Michael Mansell said up to US$300,000 ($438,340) was needed to fund the case in Britain and this week wrote to Prime Minister John Howard pleading for financial assistance.
He feared that the legal challenge would collapse and branded the issue a matter of significant national interest, paramount to Aboriginal culture and heritage.
"Aborigines are overjoyed that Attorney-General Philip Ruddock is to fund this landmark case ... stopping the remains in London from being desecrated by scientists," Mr Mansell said.
"The backing of the Australian government gives us a real chance to protect the remains of our people, and the spirits of those old people.
"We have a long way to go yet, but the decision of Mr Ruddock is a timely and profound boost.
"Without government support a small organisation like ours would have been cut off at the pass by legal tactics focusing on our lack of funds. Mr Ruddock's support might well make the difference."
The TAC previously applied for funding to the attorney-general and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough, but both applications were unsuccessful.
Mr Mansell said the remains would undergo a traditional burial ceremony by Aboriginal custodians at or near the place where they were originally buried along Tasmania's east coast.
The bodies were removed by colonialists in the early 1800s and in some cases it is thought they were still warm when their heads were removed.
The museum wants scientists to extract DNA from the remains, remove parts of the bones, take hair samples and X-rays.
- AAP
