World War 2 begins. Although Aboriginal people are not recognised as citizens, two Aboriginal military units are established and some Aboriginal people serve in other

Aborigines’ Progressive Association holds Australian Aborigines Conference in Sydney, on January 26, the 150th anniversary of European occupation. Aboriginal people mark this date as ‘Day

First Commonwealth and State conference on ‘native welfare’ adopts ‘assimilation’ as the national policy. In practice, assimilation policies lead to the destruction of Aboriginal identity

Commonwealth Government agrees to permit entry to Jewish refugees who are guaranteed by relatives or friends not to cost the state. Western Australia Aborigines Act is amended

Under the Aborigines Act, Aboriginal people can apply to ‘cease being Aboriginal’ and have access to the same rights as ‘whites’. ‘Battle of Dingbat Flat’

During the Depression, there is increased hostility towards southern European workers. Some Queensland unions succeed in restricting employment for non-British workers in cane fields. Entry

Due to the Depression, assisted migration scheme is terminated by Commonwealth government, leading to a sharp decline in immigration. First Russian Orthodox Church is built

Coniston massacre, Northern Territory. Settlers and police admit to shooting over 30 Aboriginal people after a white dingo trapper is killed. Following the massacre, an

Federal law for family endowment excludes Aboriginal people and instead payments go to Aborigines Protection Board. Aboriginal people are denied maternity allowance and old age

Following the killing of a European in Dala, Western Australia, 11 Aboriginal people are murdered in police custody; no prosecutions follow.

Immigration Act is amended to allow government to exclude or restrict non-British immigrants for economic, industrial or racial reasons. Big Brother movement is launched to assist

Empire Land Settlement scheme begins under which British Government assists immigrants to come to Australia, particularly to go onto the land.

There is a sharp rise in immigration, particularly from Italy, due to USA restricting immigration from southern and eastern Europe. League of Nations appoints High

People from Britain and Ireland as well as those from northern Europe are encouraged to migrate during the 1920s. Controls on entry of some southern

At the Versailles Conference, Prime Minister W.M. Hughes upholds the White Australia Policy against the racial equality clause proposed by Japan. Migration scheme for British