Sequence 3: Australian immigration timeline 1980s and 90s
1980
Promotion of a multicultural society — ‘Australia as a Multicultural society’ Booklet A. J. Grassby, then Commissioner for Community Relations.
1981
The ‘Special Humanitarian Program’ established to assist the relatives of Australian citizens who were suffering substantial discrimination or human rights violations but could not be accommodated in the existing refugee programs.
1982
Assisted passage schemes ended except for refugee program. Impact of tight labour market on reduction in migrant numbers.
1983
Humanitarian program — Refugees accepted from El Salvador, Sri Lanka and Lebanon.
1984
The Blainey debate — Public debate about immigration questions multiculturalism.
1985
A major study, The Economic Effects of Immigration on Australia — increased migrant intake.
1986
Jupp Report — all people equal in society. Principles should be: Cultural identity, Social justice, Economic efficiency. Highlights disadvantages to some migrants.
1988
Report of the Committee to Advise on Australia’s Immigration Policies (CAAIP) — reforms included the division of the Migration Program into three streams — ‘Family’, ‘Skill’ and ‘Humanitarian’
1989
National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia report — for Hawke government:
‘expresses the goals, priorities and strategies that the Government considers necessary in order to promote respect for individual identity, to ensure social cohesion and to enhance social justice. It addresses not only issues of equity but also of economic efficiency.’
1989
Tiananmen Square Incident (Beijing) — student pro-democracy protests met with violence. Chinese temporary residents, such as students, allowed to stay until given permanent residency in 1993.
1991
Mandatory detention is introduced — Keating government response to boat arrivals from Indo-China. Asylum seekers no longer processed at former migrant hostels.
National Inquiry into Racial Violence — initiated by Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission. 18 findings and 57 recommendations revealed the nature and possible solutions to racial violence in the community.
1992
Migration Reform Act — allowed government to:
‘... more effectively control the composition of, and overall numbers in Australia's immigration program'. Individuals applying for separate refugee status and permission to stay in Australia, now applied for a ‘protection visa’.
1996
One Nation Party formed by Pauline Hanson — with a platform against multiculturalism and Asian immigration.
1997
Hong Kong ‘handover’ to China — Britain returns Hong Kong to communist Chinese sovereignty.
1998
One Nation party has some success in Queensland state election.
Howard statement on ‘Racial tolerance’ in Parliament — Supported by Labour Party and Beazley and passed by Federal Parliament.
1999
Woomera Detention Centre opens — boat arrivals of Afghan and Iraqi asylum seekers.
Harmony Day — Australian Government annual program coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Back to Sequence 3 The Globalising World: Changing policies and Australian identity History Year 10
