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The dutch sailed to Australia. -
Captain James Crook sailed around Australia. -
British ships called the ''First Fleet'' left England with convicts to establish a prison colony.
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British prisoners settled in Australia. -
New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines, (guards), and the marines' families.
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Port Arthur, Tasmania was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals.
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Government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today.
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British transported prisoners to Australia. -
The Commonwealth of Australia was established.
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Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines.
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Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
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55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.