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 sections of armed forces. Aboriginal people serve in Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific and
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 of Mourning and Protest’. Monthly newspaper, Australian Abo Call is published in Sydney, advocating equality
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 and culture, justification of dispossession and the removal of Aboriginal children. At the same time,
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 to permit Aboriginal people to be taken into custody without trial or appeal and to
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’ – Italians, Greeks and other non-British immigrants are attacked over increasing numbers of southern Europeans
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 of non-British Europeans is banned unless they are wealthy or have relatives living in Australia.
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 in Brisbane.
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 inquiry is held into the conditions of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. Commonwealth Government
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 pension. Aboriginal people are banned from central Perth until 1948.
Following the killing of a European in Dala, Western Australia, 11 Aboriginal people are murdered in police custody; no prosecutions follow.