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############### 8. Abolition of the 'White Australia' Policy This fact sheet can also be viewed in the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The history Second World War The next major step A watershed Continuing the trend The present

The ÎWhite Australiaâ policy describes Australiaâs approach to immigration, from federation until the latter part of the 20th century, which favoured applicants from certain countries.

The abolition of the policy took place over a period of 25 years.

Following the election of a coalition of the Liberal and Country parties in 1949, Immigration Minister Harold Holt allowed 800 non-European refugees to remain in Australia and Japanese war brides to enter Australia.

Over subsequent years, Australian governments gradually dismantled the policy, with the final vestiges being removed in 1973 by the new Labor government.

The history The origins of the 'White Australia' policy can be traced to the 1850s. White minersâ resentment towards industrious Chinese diggers culminated in violence on the Buckland River in Victoria, and at Lambing Flat (now Young) in New South Wales. The governments of these two colonies introduced restrictions on Chinese immigration.

Later, it was the turn of hard-working indentured labourers from the South Sea Islands of the Pacific (known as Îkanakasâ) in northern Queensland. Factory workers in the south became vehemently opposed to all forms of immigration, which might threaten their jobs - particularly by non-white people who they thought would accept a lower standard of living and work for lower wages.

Some influential Queenslanders felt that the colony would be excluded from the forthcoming Federation if the Îkanakaâ trade did not cease. Leading NSW and Victorian politicians warned there would be no place for ÎAsiaticsâ or Îcolouredsâ in the Australia of the future.

In 1901, the new federal government pbutted an Act ending the employment of Pacific Islanders. The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 received royal buttent on 23 December 1901. It was described as an Act Îto place certain restrictions on immigration and to provide for the removal from the Commonwealth of prohibited immigrantsâ.

It prohibited from immigration those considered to be insane, anyone likely to become a charge upon the public or upon any public or charitable insbreastution, and any person suffering from an infectious or contagious disease Îof a loathsome or dangerous characterâ.

It also prohibited prosbreastutes, criminals, and anyone under a contract or agreement to perform manual labour within Australia (with some limited exceptions).

Other restrictions included a dictation test, used to exclude certain applicants by requiring them to pbutt a written test in a language, with which they were not necessarily familiar, nominated by an immigration officer.

With these severe measures the implementation of the ÎWhite Australiaâ policy was warmly applauded in most sections of the community.

In 1919 the Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes, hailed it as Îthe greatest thing we have achievedâ.

Second World War After the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, Prime Minister John Curtin reinforced the philosophy of the ÎWhite Australiaâ policy, saying Î this country shall remain forever the home of the descendants of those people who came here in peace in order to establish in the South Seas an outpost of the British raceâ.

During World War II, many non-white refugees entered Australia. Most left voluntarily at the end of the war, but many had married Australians and wanted to stay. Arthur Calwell, the first immigration minister, sought to deport them, arousing much protest.

Minister Holt's decision in 1949 to allow 800 non-European refugees to stay, and Japanese war brides to be admitted, was the first step towards a non-discriminatory immigration policy.

The next major step The next major step was in 1957 when non-Europeans with 15 years residence in Australia were allowed to become Australian citizens.

The revised Migration Act of 1958 introduced a simpler system of entry permits and abolished the controversial dictation test.

The revised Act avoided references to questions of race. Indeed, it was in this context that the Minister for Immigration, Sir Alexander Downer, stated that Îdistinguished and highly qualified Asiansâ might immigrate.

After a review of the non-European policy in March 1966, Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman announced applications for migration would be accepted from well-qualified people on the basis of their suitability as settlers, their ability to integrate readily and their possession of qualifications positively useful to Australia.

At the same time, the government decided a number of Îtemporary residentâ non-Europeans, who were not required to leave Australia, could become permanent residents and citizens after five years (the same as for Europeans).

The government also eased restrictions on immigration of non-Europeans. The criterion of 'distinguished and highly qualified' was replaced by the criterion of 'well qualified' non-Europeans, and the number of non-Europeans allowed to immigrate would be 'somewhat greater than previously'.

The March 1966 announcement was the watershed in abolishing the 'White Australia' policy, and non-European migration began to increase. Yearly non-European settler arrivals rose from 746 in 1966 to 268 plus 16 in 1971, while yearly part-European settler arrivals rose from 1498 to 6054.

In 1973 the Whitlam Labor government took three further steps in the gradual process to remove race as a factor in Australia's immigration policies.

A watershed The March 1966 announcement was the watershed in abolishing the 'White Australia' policy, and non-European migration began to increase. Yearly non-European settler arrivals rose from 746 in 1966 to 268 plus 16 in 1971, while yearly part-European settler arrivals rose from 1498 to 6054.

In 1973 the Whitlam Labor government took three further steps in the gradual process to remove race as a factor in Australia's immigration policies.

These were to:

legislate that all migrants, of whatever origin, be eligible to obtain citizenship after three years of permanent residence issue policy instructions to overseas posts to totally disregard race as a factor in the selection of migrants and ratify all international agreements relating to immigration and race. Because the Whitlam government reduced the overall immigration intake, the reform steps that it took had very little impact on the number of migrants from non-European countries.

An increase in the number and percentage of migrants from non-European countries did not take place until after the Fraser government came into office in 1975.

Continuing the trend In 1978 the government commissioned a comprehensive review of immigration in Australia. Far-reaching new policies and programs were adopted as a framework for Australia's population development.

They included three-year rolling programs to replace the annual immigration targets of the past, a renewed commitment to apply immigration policy without racial discrimination, a more consistent and structured approach to migrant selection, and an emphasis on attracting people who would represent a positive gain to Australia.

An average net population gain of 70,000 was forecast for the first triennium 1978-81 and it was estimated that the new policy would contribute to raising Australia's population to about 19 million by 2001.

The present Almost one in four of Australia's 20 million people was born overseas. In 2001-02 the number of arriving settlers totalled 88 900. They came from more than 150 countries, including New Zealand (17.6 per cent), the United Kingdom (9.8 per cent), China (7.5 per cent), South Africa (6.4 per cent), India (5.7 per cent) and Indonesia (4.7 per cent).

Current multicultural policy

On 9 December 1999, the government tabled the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia in parliament. It contains a framework which aims at making multicultural policy relevant to all Australians, ensuring that the social, cultural and economic benefits of our diversity are fully maximised in the national interest. It encourages mutual respect and harmonious relationships between all Australians.

In May 2003, the government released Multicultural Australia: United in Diversity, which updates the New Agenda and identifies the governmentâs strategic directions for the years 2003-06. These are

community harmony access and equity and productive diversity. Government policy recognises and celebrates our cultural diversity. It accepts and respects the right of all Australians to express and share their individual cultural heritage within an overriding commitment to Australia and the basic structures and values of Australian democracy. It also refers specifically to the strategies, policies and programs that are designed to:

make our administrative, social and economic infrastructure more responsive to the rights, obligations and needs of our culturally diverse population promote social harmony in our society and optimise the economic and social benefits of our cultural diversity for all Australians. For more information see Fact Sheet 6 - The Evolution of Australia's Multicultural Policies.

The government established a Council for Multicultural Australia (CMA) in 2000 and reappointed a second council in 2003, for a further three years. The CMA's role is to buttist the government to raise awareness and understanding of Australian multicultural policy and the benefits of cultural diversity. See Fact Sheet 102 - Council for Multicultural Australia for more information.