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“Populate or perish”
Australia sought migrants because with more people they could build their military strength and strengthen the economy with a larger workforce. -
Minister for Immigration
The first federal minister for immigration, Arthur Calwell, was appointed. -
"Ten Pound Poms"
The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme was implemented by the Chifley Government and Arthur Caldwell (Minister for Immigration). British fares to Australia were 10 pounds, provided they stayed in Australia for a minimum of two years. Children travelled for free. Upon arrival, they stayed in basic migration hostels. Returning to England would cost them a refund of the full fare. -
European immigration program
Australia created an assisted immigration program for displaced people from post-war Europe. -
IRO
The International Refugee Organization (IRO) was founded to be responsible for the "care and control" of displaced persons. -
Big Brother Movement
Commenced again, sponsoring over twelve thousand lads to settle in Australia up until 1982. Purchased “Karmsley Hills”, a 600 acre property near Liverpool NSW. -
The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme
Construction on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in NSW began, in order to employ migrants who were engineers, technicians and tradespeople. -
Colombo Plan
Launched to boost Asian economic and social development. The University of Tasmania participated, welcoming overseas students (predominantly from Malaysia) who lived with local families, spoke at service club meetings, worked in vacation jobs, joined the Overseas Students Association and participated in sports. -
Revised Migration Act
Revision abolished the basis for the White Australia policy, getting rid of the dictation test. The visa system (entry permits) was introduced. All this made it easier for non-Europeans to migrate to Australia -
White Australia policy formally abolished
Whitlam Labor government introduced amendments which prohibited racial aspects of immigration law. -
Racial Discrimination Act
Made racial discrimination in certain contexts illegal across Australia. -
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First wave of "boat people"
The boats carried Vietnamese asylum seekers (escaping from the aftermath of the Vietnam War). -
Multiculturalism
Australia's official government policy becomes focused on multiculturalism. -
Period: to
Second wave of "boat people"
These asylum seekers were mainly from Cambodia, Vietnam and southern China. -
Mandatory detention of asylum seekers
A policy for mandatory detention of asylum seekers up to 273 days was introduced by Keating Government. This policy broadened 2 years later to include all non-citizens without visas (not just those who arrived by boat), and the 273 day limit was removed. -
Temporary Protection Visas
The government introduced Temporary Protection Visas for unauthorised asylum seekers. -
Pacific Solution
Howard Government announced the Pacific Solution, which included off-shore processing of asylum seekers in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. -
Community Detention
Government releases asylum-seeking families with children into "community detention". -
Removal Pending Bridging Visas
Government introduces Removal Pending Bridging Visas for long-term asylum-seeking detainees. -
Cronulla Riots
A series of riots and violence in Sydney regarding race and migrants, following a fight between a group of young Lebanese men and a couple of Lifeguards on a beach. -
End of Pacific Solution
Government closes off-shore processing centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. -
Government abolishes Temporary Protection Visas
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Refugee swap
Government announces an arrangement to swap 800 refugees from Australia for the resettlement of 4000 Malaysian refugees. The High Court later declared this arrangement invalid. -
Single refugee status determination process
Government returns to a single refugee status determination process for all unauthorised arrivals. -
Enhanced screening process
Government introduces an enhanced screening process for all unauthorised boat arrivals from Sri Lanka. -
PNG Solution
Government reinstates asylum-seeker offshore processing in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. -
Tony Abbott elected
Tony Abbott elected to government after a campaign largely focused on "stopping the boats" -
Manus Island ruled illegal
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court rules the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island unlawful and in violation of the right to personal freedom according to the national constitution. It insinuates that the government should cease the unlawful detention. -
Nauru Files
Over 8,000 pages of leaked reports expose physical assaults, sexual assaults, self-harm, child abuse and poor living conditions of asylum seekers in Nauru.
