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Federation
On October 24, 1889, then New South Wales Premier Sir Henry Parkes told a gathering at Tenterfield, close to the Queensland border, that the time had come for the states to consider Australian federation. In 1901 the Ferderation was formed (the joining of states to become one nation). -
White Australian Policy
Competition in the goldfields, labour disputes and Australian nationalism created an environment of racial antagonism during the second half of the 19th century which led to the passage of the Immigration Restriction Act in 1901, one of the first Acts of the national parliament upon federation. It restiricted non-white immigration to Australia. -
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Australia
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The Start of World War I
In 1914 Australia entered the War as a result of their relationship with the British Empire. Australia soon joined with the New Zealand army to create the ANZAC's. -
The End of World War I
The nation's involvement cost over 60,000 Australians their lives and many more were left unable to work as a result of their injuries -
Neville Bonner elected to parliament
The first indigenous Australian to become a member of the Parliament of Australia. Initially appointed by the Queensland parliament to fill of causal vacancy in the representation of Queensland in the Senate, and was later elected to the Parliament of Australia by Popularity. -
Start of World War II
Australia fought two wars between 1939 and 1945, one against Germany and one against Japan. -
End of World War II
The war accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from Britain to the United States. -
The Signing of the SEATO Treaty
South-East Asia treaty Organisation. Was created to combat the threat of spreading communism. -
Start of the Vietnam War
Began as a small commitment of 30 men in 1962. Approximately 60,000 Australians served in the war; 521 were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded. -
The Stolen Generation
Is a term used to describe the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were removed from their families by the Australian Federal and State government agencies. -
The End of the Vietnam War
This War was the longest and most controversial war Australia has ever fought. -
The Start of the Gulf War
A number of Australian officer’s served in this war. Australian medical units were also deployed. -
The End of the Gulf War
The Australian Medical Unit operated in Northern Iraq between 16 May and 30 June 1991. -
Mabo decision
The High Court of Australia delivered its landmark decision to give back land rights and recognition to Aboriginal people. -
Native Title Act
The people who are descendants are now known as aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders were the Inhabitants of Australia before European Settlement. -
Start of the Afghanistan War
Australia, one of the many countries who sent troops to Afganistan, provided specialist SAS teams for use against Taliban/ Al Qaeda forces. -
Start of the Iraq War
Australia was one of the countries to provide combat forces for the US Led Invasion Force. Following the end of Major combat operations Australia announced its withdrawal of troops, but left behind approx. 950 troops. -
Kevin Rudd apologising for the stolen generation
Kevin Rudd offered a broad apology to all Aboriginals and the Stolen Generation for their “Profound grief, suffering and loss” in a carefully worded statement that as greeted by a standing ovation. -
First female prime minister
Julia Gillard successfully challenged former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to become Australia’s first female Prime Minister.
