How Immigration Has Shaped The Australian Identity

The White Australia Policy
After Federation in 1901, the Immigration Restriction Act was introduced and was the second act of the newly formed Commonwealth Government. This act put in place the law that was the cornerstone of Australia's 'White Australia' policy. The Immigration Restriction Act was an integral part of a package of legislation passed by the new Federal Parliament, aimed at excluding all non-European migrants. It restricted people from a non-British background from entering Australia. The main aim of this act was to keep Australia as similar as possible to its original British culture. Australians believed that the white race was superior to that of other non-European cultures, however Japan saw themselves as superior in comparison with other Asian countries and was offended by the policy, which prevented them from immigrating to Australia.…