Victorian Board for the Protection of Aborigines is established. The Governor can order the removal of any child to a reformatory or industrial school. The Protection Board can remove children from station families to be housed in dormitories. Later similar
150 Aboriginal people are killed resisting arrest in the Kimberley. Queensland Polynesian Labourers Act is passed to regulate the indenture of workers from the Pacific Islands. Last convicts to be transported to Australia arrive in Western Australia – they include
Anti-Chinese legislation in Victoria is lifted and later reintroduced. Anti-Chinese riot occurs on Crocodile Creek goldfields in Queensland. New South Wales repeals restrictions on Chinese immigration. All Aboriginal cricket team tours England – the first overseas cricket tour by an
Government station is established at Somerset, on tip of Cape York peninsula, marking beginning of the impact of European settlement on Torres Strait Islands. Missionary settlement follows, bringing disease and disruption to traditional lifestyles. Labourers from Pacific Islands are brought
Anti-Chinese riot takes place at Lambing Flat on New South Wales goldfields. New South Wales Parliament passes Chinese Immigrants Regulation and Restriction Act, imposing a poll tax on Chinese entering the colony. The Chinese constitute the third largest group in
Migrants from many parts of Europe and Asia, including Poland, India, Iran, Egypt and Turkey continue to arrive as labourers. Large scale Irish immigration continues. First ‘Afghans’ come to South Australia to handle camels on the Burke and Wills expedition.
Aboriginal people attack settlers on Dawson River, Queensland, leading to reprisals by local squatters and police. South Australia passes an anti-Chinese Restriction Bill and anti-Chinese taxes. Incidents of racist attacks and violence are reported in Victoria, South Australia and New
Victoria passes the first anti-Chinese restriction legislation, imposing a 10 pound poll tax on Chinese arriving in Victoria.
The development of a system of pastoral leases in South Australia begins. Governor Young insists that all pastoral leases should include reservations in favour of Aboriginal people, allowing them access to pastoral lands.