Colonial Office Protection Policy

Before all of Australia’s new colonies even became states, the British had started to civilise their own country. Reforms were underway to ensure fairer working conditions in British factories, and slavery was outlawed.

By 1838 the British had developed a new policy for Aboriginals, called ‘Protection’.

 

The key elements of this plan were:

·         allow Aboriginals free enjoyment of their possessions;

·         do what it takes to convert Aboriginals to Christianity;

·         help Aboriginals become civilised; and

·         use the law to protect Aboriginals from violence and injustice.

The decision to allow Aboriginals free enjoyment of their possessions was more than a bit too late – for many Aboriginals their land was already gone. In any case, land belonged to the Crown and the Crown had the right to sell the land. Lots of land had already been sold or leased, and the remaining unsold land was gradually being taken up by whitefellas.

The idea of civilising and converting a country’s natives by taking land and enforcing linguistic, cultural and spiritual change was not new (just ask your nearest Irish Catholic).

 

Protection Acts

The state of Victoria passed its first Protection legislation in 1860, New South Wales in 1883, Western Australia 1886, and Queensland 1887. South Australia’s parliament passed no legislation until after federation.

The nature of protection offered varied from State to State.