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populate or perish
Australia embarks on an ambitious 'populate or perish' program to welcome immigration after the second World War. -
allowed 800 non-European
Immigration Minister Harold Holt makes an historic decision to allow 800 non-European war refugees to remain in Australia. -
Revised Migration Act
The Revised Migration Act 1958 introduces a simpler system of entry permits and abolishes the controversial Dictation(language) Test introduced at Federation in 1901. which made it easier for non European migrants to get into Australia. -
easier immigration from Asia
The 50 page Immigration: Control or Colour Bar? is published by Melbourne University. It advocated for a less race based immigration system due to white bias Australia possessed, allowing immigration from Asia to be easier. -
Hubert Opperman, Minister for Immigration
In the newly elected Howard Holt Government, suitability as settlers, is determined due to the their ability to integrate and adapt and whether they have qualifications useful to Australia. Putting less emphasis on the White Australia Policy -
Abolishment of White Australia Policy
Whitlam government formally abolished the white Australia policy. however for some time, Asian immigrants had already been allowed into the country. -
Racial Discrimination Act
The Racial Discrimination Act is adopted, finally making racial discrimination illegal. -
operation babylift
nearly 2,500 Vietnamese children evacuated from Saigon to the US, Canada, Europe and Australia as part of Operation Babylift. public opinion was positive. -
Period: to
'Boat People'
over 2,000 refugees from Vietnam arrive in Australia directly by boat. Malcolm Fraser(currant Minister at the time) allows boat people to settle in Australia, and supports the resettlement of over 200,000 more refugees. -
first boatload
first boatload of refugees fleeing from Vietnamese conflict land in Darwin harbor -
second wave
A second wave of boat arrivals begins, with about 300 people arriving by boat each year, from Indochina mostly Cambodia and Vietnam -
mandatory detention
Paul Keating's Government introduces a change of policy, with mandatory detention for all people arriving without a valid visa.