Assimilation Policies

In 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act came into force.

Aborigines were Never consulted about federation. Excluded from the vote on it. Not included in the nation – Section 127 of the Constitution excluded ‘Aboriginal natives’ from population figures.

Egalitarianism clashed with the harsh realities of frontier-life. The Aborigines were not dying out, as had been predicted and The economic burden of protection was ever-increasing.

The Australian Government and the churches began to look for scapegoats. Never could seem to solve the native problem. Racism led white Australia to blame the Aborigines themselves.

After Federation The Australian government completely reversed its position on Aborigines again, and moved from: Assimilation Segregation/ protection

Assimilation policies Changed the way many reserves and missions operated

Shift in focus of missions from Institutions protecting Aborigines To institutions that facilitated the assimilation of mixed-race children into White society.

Increased pressure to: Separate Aborigines into categories Mixed blood Full blood

1937 Resolution by Commonwealth and State Aboriginal Authorities Destiny of non-full blood Aborigines lies in their ultimate absorption by the people of the Commonwealth, and all efforts should be directed to that end.

Believed Aboriginality could be bred out 1/8 ¼ ½

And that the efforts by all State authorities should be directed towards: The education of children of mixed Aboriginal blood at White standards, and their subsequent employment under the same conditions as Whites with a view to their taking their place in the white community on an equal footing with Whites.

Assimilation Was formally adopted as a state and federal policy in 1951. Many children were removed from their families so that they could be more easily assimilated.

Late 1950‘s families were Encouraged, sometimes forcefully, to leave the reserves and try to make it in the White community with increasing frequency. Those who left the reserves were not permitted to visit family members still on the reserve.

From the legislator’s point of view the rationale of separation Was to help Aboriginal children assimilate into White society And Christian faith was seen as facilitating the process of cultural transformation.

From the missionaries’ viewpoint the means and ends were the opposite Cultural transformation was seen as facilitating and complementing the goal of religious conversion. Hence separation from traditional cultural influences was necessary.

In reality, assimilation Did not recognise Aborigines as Australia’s indigenous people bearing inherent rights: It created more racism against Aboriginal people.

The policy of assimilation Theoretically worked towards the goal of one nation, whereby all nationalities and races in Australia would see themselves as one people. Was supposed to establish true justice for all people of the country.

In reality assimilation practices and policies Showed a clear intent to eliminate the Aborigines as an independent race and culture without any possibility of being allowed to develop as a community within Australia.

If the Aboriginal race could not be Destroyed or separated Then they might just be absorbed.

Assimilation therefore became the driving socio-political force in Australia has held the sway right throughout much of the 20th century. may, some believe, still strongly influence white attitudes towards Aborigines today.