Hundreds of hands made out of cardboard were placed on the lawn outside to spell out the word "shame".

"It sends a clear message to the government that the majority of Australians are decent and honourable people who know that the bill is an unjust and unworkable excuse for a solution," said a protest organiser.

Aborigine groups called Monday a "national day of shame" in response to the bill.

'Horribly flawed'

Fears of handing more power to Pauline Hanson

According to the BBC's Canberra correspondent, Aboriginal leaders, farming and mining groups initially welcomed the bill but some Aborigines say that on reading the fine print, the agreement is horribly flawed beneath its glossy surface.

The legislation under consideration would limit aboriginal access to government land leased to farmers and miners - about 42% of Australia's land mass.

The rights to cross the land, visit sacred sites or hold meetings on it were established in a 1996 High Court ruling.

Those leasing the land from the government say the legal ruling is unworkable.

The government does not have the majority in the senate required to pass the bill, and it had already been voted down twice.

But it is now expected to win with the support of Brian Harradine, an independent senator.

Immigration restrictions

After ten days of talks, Mr Harradine has reversed his earlier opposition to the bill fearing its failure would force an election and hand the balance of power to the controversial right wing One Nation party led by Pauline Hanson.

She opposes immigration into Australia and wants to stop special funding for Aborigines.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating wrote in a newspaper that the bill amounted to a "betrayal" of the Aborigines.