Controversial Assimilation Policy abolished

Georgia Emms, reporter 1973 The Assimilation Policy has officially been abolished by the Whitlam Labour government, after a 25 year long dissolution period . This policy was implemented to assimilate all Aborigines into the white society, and prohibited residence to non-European people. Gough Whitlam, the Australian Labour party leader stated, " I am profoundly embarrassed by it [the White Australia Policy] and feel I must do all I can to change it ." The Australian Government implemented the Assimilation Policy in 1901, to create a completely white Australia. This meant all non-Europeans were unable to immigrate to Australia, specifically Asians, South Sea Islands (kanakas) and Pacific Islanders, any 'darks' or 'asiatics' or anyone of aboriginal descent. The policy also entitled the execution of regulations prohibiting the Aborigines the right to vote, or to become citizens. The Australian Government's paternalistic and protectionist policy promoted the view that the Aboriginal race was inferior and destined to die out. Forcing the Aboriginal community to assimilate into the European culture was deemed the best outcome for aboriginal Australians. Economic implications shaped opinions. Fears amongst the white community ranged from the threatening of jobs and lowered working conditions. However, at its implementation the Assimilation policy was warmly commended by the majority of the European community, with the Prime Minister William Morris Hughes hailing it as "the greatest thing we have achieved." Unlike the Europeans, the Aborigines opposed the White Australia Policy. It is noted that the Aboriginal community wanted to protest, yet could not as they were not citizens. The Aborigines were silenced. After WWII, in the 1940's, Aborigines were granted Australian citizenship with the obtention of an exemption certificate, depriving them of all connection to the indigenous community, even their family. It exempted someone of their aboriginal descent. In 1961, the Native Welfare Conference stated, " All Aborigines and part-Aborigines are expected to attain the same manner of living as other Australians and to live as members of a single Australian community enjoying the same rights and privileges, accepting the same responsibilities, observing the same customs and influenced by the same beliefs, hopes and loyalties as other Australians". This was one of the final pushes towards a review of the assimilation policy, promoting the need for integration. The 1967 Commonwealth Government referendum questioned if the Aborigines should be given the power to make laws for themselves, regarding their assimilation into the white society, in which 91 percent of Australians voted 'yes'.

The policy has been reviewed so that Australia's new official policy on racial diversity is: "to build on our success as a culturally diverse, accepting and open society, united through a shared future". The review of further discrimination policies has begun.