Key Legislation That Shaped Australia Flashcards
When was the first Australian Federal election held?
30 March 1901
Which party won?
Edmund Barton’s Protectionist Party won, but were forced to form a minority government because they had not won an outright majority.
When and where was the first Australian Federal Parliament opened?
9 May, 1901, in Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building.
What was the aim of the White Australia policy?
To maintain the racial purity of Australia; to keep out all non-Europeans.
When was the Immigration Restriction Act passed, and what did it do?
23 December, 1901. It prohibited the entry of all non-Europeans into Australia. It also introduced the dictation test.
What was the dictation test?
A 50-word dictation test that was given to non-Europeans upon entering Australia. The test could be given in any language the customs officer wanted, to make sure everyone would fail.
Why was the dictation test introduced?
It gave the banning of non-Europeans seem like it wasn’t only based on their race, but on their level of education.
What was the state of voting rights prior to federation?
Full male suffrage, for European men over the age of 21. South Australia and West Australia were the only countries that had introduced female suffrage.
Summarise the Invalid and Old Age Pension Act 1908.
Introduced the payment of 10 shillings per week for people over 65, or who were prevented from working by a disability.
Summarise the Workers Compensation Act 1912.
Enabled compensation to any federal government employee who was injured or made sick through their work.
Summarise the Maternity Allowance Act 1912.
Allowed payment of £5 to every woman considered part of the commonwealth on the birth of a child. This was equivalent to two weeks’ worth of pay, and helped families cope with an extra mouth to feed as well as loss of income (if the woman worked).
