The second reading is of the Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Bill 1940. 

Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Bill 1940 (NSW) - Second reading and Hansard debate, Legislative Assembly, 2, 7 and 8 May 1940

Dispossession and displacement of Aboriginal people separated them from their Country and culture. This had a significant impact on Aboriginal languages.

Impact of 'protection' and assimilation laws 

During the 1800s, laws did not specifically restrict family contact. However, the Aboriginal child removal policies of this era were centred around protection and then assimilation, which sought to remove all elements of Aboriginal culture from a child.

Barriers to family contact

The Aborigines Protection Act 1909 (NSW) was the first law in NSW that specifically authorised the removal of Aboriginal children from their families. It continued to exercise control over Aboriginal people and their children until 1969. Separate systems of child welfare existed for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children throughout this period.

'Protection' and assimilation era child removals

Laws and policies specifically forced Aboriginal children into apprenticeships and domestic servitude.

Apprenticeships and service under the Aborigines Protection Act

From 1909 to 1969, NSW laws allowed the Aborigines Protection Board to collect and keep the wages of Aboriginal people in trust accounts. This primarily impacted Aboriginal children who had been placed in apprenticeships. The system made it very difficult for people to access their wages. Labour practices such as...

Stolen wages system

From 1909, the Aborigines Protection Board and later the Aborigines Welfare Board had control over the labour of Aboriginal people living on reserves and could remove people from reserves if they determined they should be working off the reserve. Labour on reserves was often for no pay, unfair pay or...

Adult labour under the Aborigines Protection Act

From 1909 to 1969, the Aborigines Protection Board and later the Aborigines Welfare Board could remove certain Aboriginal children from their families under the Aborigines Protection Act. These children were placed in training homes and apprenticeships. Apprenticeships were used to separate Aboriginal children from their communities and assimilate them into...

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