A landmark bill has been passed by Australia's New South Wales government to introduce recognition of Indigenous languages into law this week.
The legislation will establish a trust to develop a plan to protect and strengthen Aboriginal languages, the NSW government said in a statement.
NSW aboriginal affairs general manager Jason Ardler told news channel SBS that "never again will aboriginal languages be subject to inappropriate, damaging policies".
Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the move on Wednesday as a "historic" move.
"This legislation will acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal languages for years to come."
About 100 people gathered outside the NSW parliament in Sydney to mark the occasion.
The Parramatta Advertiser reported until the 1970s, speaking Aboriginal languages was banned or discouraged by government policies.
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