Why was the white Australia policy abolished?

Answer 1

The white Australia policy originally developed during the 1800s because many Australians came from English stock and as a result felt that they were superior. They didn't even officially recognise the existence of aboriginals. They felt that by allowing other races into the country that their position would be swamped by ensuring cheap labour market and that they would become an unemployed minority in their own country.

Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy and they believed Federation would enable the development and maintenance of a "White Australia", by toughening Immigration laws. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon. It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus Federation would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.

Answer 2

Answer 1:

Many argue that it was due to pressures from the United Nations, who fought for Human Rights regardless of the people's religious views, cultural background or where they live, that this 'slack' application of the White Australia Policy had occurred. After the way Hitler treated the Jewish community, Australia could see that in some ways it draws comparisons, and so the abolishment of the White Australia Policy begun in order to 'keep up with the times'. Australia didn't want to be seen as a 'nasty' country, after all, it had made an identity for itself as being a country that prided itself on giving everyone a 'fair go', and incorporated the notion of 'mateship' in everyday situations.

Answer 2:

There is an interesting story behind the White Australia policy. There was never actually any such thing. Can you imagine the position Australian politicians would put them selves in political circles especially in black countries if they blatantly discriminated on the grounds of colour. So the white Australia policy was based on a literacy test. If you were not of western European descent or if you were not wanted for some other reason by the migration authoritys you would have to sit a literary test in a language that was the choice of the imigration department. So even if you were a highly educated professor that spoke several languages including English if you could not pass the test in a language (chosen by the migration department) you were denied access into Australia on lack of educational grounds. After WW2 many Australia was desperate for people to be a part of expanded infrastructure. Many of them came fro the fringes of what was formerly seen as colored blood by the largely British back-grounded Australians and as they increased in number so did their political clout. The fact that the world was changing as well with the extremely racist colonial powers finally losing more of their clout and making the attitude that Australia had toward race continually less acceptable. Remember it was not until wel into the 1960's that aboriginals of Australia were considered more then fauna.

Answer 3

The White Australia Policy was established in 1901 with the coming of Federation, and officially ended in 1973 due to the intervention of the Whitlam Government. The Policy deliberately restricted non-European migration, as there was a fear of the "unknown" Asian people and their way of life. The Government felt that the introduction of Oriental influences into Australian society would endanger Australia (the 1950s threat of Communism *coughcoughChina* heightened these fears) and therefore it was stopped.

The other Government policy of assimilation was epic failing, and due to pressure from society as well as the Vietnam War the White Australia Policy was abolished. People felt that as Australia was a democracy, and free speech was a basic right, freedom of religion and culture should also be important too. The public put pressure on the Government, especially when Indochinese refugees began to arrive during the Vietnam War. Thousands sought refuge for fear of political persecution, and even death, and Australia was a common choice for people to start a new life. It was thought to be unfair to turn people away from Australia, especially when they may have been deported back to their home country to face detrimental circumstances.

In conjunction with the abolition of the White Australia Policy came the introduction of the Multiculturalism Policy, which allowed people to hang on to their own culture, customs, beliefs and way of life. Multiculturalism offered the freedom and change that the White Australia and Assimilation Policies could not, and this benefited Australia as it meant racial acceptance and diversity. It also prevented the formation of a "monoculture", which ultimately would have occurred if the Policy were not abandoned.

Answer 3

The white Australia policy was introduced in 1901, when Federation was also introduced. The policy favoured applicants from certain countries. This means that Australia did not allow all migrants from entering the country, especially the Asians. The main reason the act was introduced is that the European Australians were worried that they would lose their jobs to the more hard-working labourers - the Chinese. The act was later abolished.

Further information:

The "White Australia" policy was actually a legacy dating back to goldrush times. Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy and to have immigration laws toughened. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon.

It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus, there was a push for Federation (which eventually happened in 1901) which would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.

Answer 4

The abolition of the White Australia Policy took place over a period of 72 years. Officially, the White Australia Policy was put into place at Federation, in 1901, although it had been in the making since the goldrush times of the 1860s. The policy was officially abolished in 1973.

Answer 5

The white Australia policy resulted in a dramatic decline in the Asian population as well as multiculturalism in Australia. It was also the end to many anti-Chinese disputes in Australia such as the lambing flat riot in 1861.

The white Australia policy also meant that the employment of the "Kanakas" to work in the sugar cane fields of northern Queensland was short-lived, therefore further reducing the wealth of the sugar cane industry.

Australia today is dominated by the European culture,beliefs, such as Christianity, and population, these are all impacts of the white Australia policy that lasted for 70 odd years before asians or others could share their culture and beliefs in Australia.

Answer 6

The "White Australia" policy, although introduced at Federation, was actually a legacy dating back to goldrush times. Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy and to have immigration laws toughened. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon.

It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus, there was a push for Federation (which eventually happened in 1901) which would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.

Answer 7

It ended in the early 1970s