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White Australia Policy Definition

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White Australia Policy Definition
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The White Australia Policy describes Australia's previous approach to immigration which favoured applicants from certain countries.
The first Act of Parliament passed after Federation was the Immigration Restriction Act (1901), better known as the “White Australia Policy”. The intention was to promote a homogenous population similar to that in Britain. Under “White Australia” only Europeans, and then mainly northern Europeans, could immigrate to Australia.
The main method prescribed by the legislation for the administration of the White Australia Policy was a dictation test of fifty words in length. The test was carried out by Australian Customs officers and could be conducted in any European language nominated by the Officer.
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