Immigration to Australia – a chequered history

The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on 8 August 1901 reported on The Immigration Restriction Act, where pre-federation state laws were brought together under the new Commonwealth Parliament. The restrictions do not make for pretty reading.

The original document can be found here at the National Archives of Australia.

Museum Victoria has a short summary of the White Australia Policy which officially ended with the introduction of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975.

A recent article in The Australian indicates that many Australians still struggle with activating the W word – Welcome.

For first perspectives on undesirable immigration in Australia, the seven-part SBS television production First Australians is a wonderful source.