Laws affecting Aboriginals on Stations

Western Australia

Before it was granted self-government, the state constitution required a portion of money be set aside from each budget for Aboriginal Affairs. A few years after self-government, this was removed, and the Protection Act re-written.

‘Natives” were not to leave their place of “employment” without written permission of their employer or a police officer. (i.e. Station owners could get away with brutality). 

It was also illegal for any white person to speak to a congregation of 2 or more natives with the intention of encouraging them to leave or cause some other trouble.

Northern Territory

A few years after the federal government took control of the Territory, station owners needed a licence to hire Aboriginals, and were required to pay them up to five shillings a week. 
To avoid this obligation, station owners could show on an annual return how many (unproductive) dependants were living on the station. Most station owners received subsidies based on how many dependants they said they were looking after.

Queensland

A portion of all wages was to be lodged with the Queensland government for deposit into a trust fund. When Aboriginals wrote asking to withdraw funds to buy something, they were usually told they didn’t need or couldn’t have what they were planning to buy.