Federal Government enacts Wards’ Employment Ordinance in the Northern Territory which makes Aboriginal people wards of the state with minor status and discriminates against them in employment and pay. Employment practices go against International Labour Organisation’s Convention 107. Concern is expressed internationally about Australia’s treatment of ‘non-Whites’, in particular Aboriginal people.
British migrants become entitled to all Australian welfare benefits on arrival. Non-British migrants have a limited range of benefit entitlements.
Atomic tests are carried out at Emu and Maralinga, South Australia. Many Aboriginal people die from radiation poisoning. Hundreds of families are forced to leave their homelands because of severe contamination. Tests continue until 1957.
