Page 62 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

60  INTRODUCING A USTR ALIA

Unwanted immigrants were tested in
obscure languages such as Gaelic. Between
1901 and 1910 there were nine different
governments led by five different prime
ministers. None of the three major political
groups, the Protectionists, the Free Traders
and the Labor Party, had sufficient support
to govern in its own right. By 1910, how­
ever, voters were offered a clear choice
between two parties, Labor and Liberal.
The Labor Party won a landslide victory and
since then the Australian government has
come solely from one of these two parties.
Souvenir handkerchief of the Australian Federation
World War I
Federal Beginnings When Britain entered
Australia entered the 20th century on an World War I in 1914,
optimistic note: the federation of its six Australia followed to
colonies formed the Australian nation on defend the “mother
1 January 1901. Within the federation, there land”. Most Australians
was one matter on which almost everyone supported the war, but
agreed: Australia would remain “European” they would not accept
with strong ties to Britain. One of the first conscription or compul­
acts of the new parliament was to legislate sory national service.
the White Australia Policy. The Immigration Australia paid a very Enlisting poster
Restriction Act required anyone wishing to high price for its allegiance,
emigrate to Australia to pass a dictation with 64 per cent of the 331,781 troops killed
test in a European language. or wounded. Memorials to those who
fought and died are found throughout the
country, ranging from the simple to the
impressive such as the Australian War
Memorial in Canberra (see pp204–5). World
War I was a defining moment in Australia’s
history. Anzac Day, rather than Australia Day,
is felt by many to be the true national day. It
commemorates the landing of the Australian
and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in
Turkey on 25 April 1915, for their unsucces­
Labor government publicity poster sful attempt to cross the Dardanelles and

1901 The Commonwealth of
Australia comes into being. The 1919 Postwar immigration 1921 Edith Cowan
White Australia Policy becomes includes the Big Brother becomes the
law with the passage of the movement, which first woman MP in
Immigration Restriction Bill Australia’s welcomes adolescents the country
national flag
1900 1905 1910 1915 1920
1902 Women’s 1912 Walter Burley Griffin is 1914–18 1920 Qantas is formed
suffrage is chosen to design Canberra Australia as a local airline
granted in (see p195) takes part
Australia in World
War I
Qantas logo