Phone Support:

  • 1800 16 11 09
    (free call)

Monday–Friday 9am–5pm

Want some help?

Does this page need updating?

What to expect when accessing records about you

What to expect when accessing records about you.

What to expect

Look for Similar

Other Find and Connect resources

Legislation Aborigines Welfare Ordinance 1954 (Cth) (1954 - 1965)

Commonwealth of Australia

  • Click to view details about this Document

    Aborigines Welfare Ordinance 1954 (Cth), courtesy of AustLII: Australasian Legal Information Institute; and AIATSIS: To Remove and Protect: ACT.
    Details

From
1954
To
1965
Categories
Legislation

Summary

Please note that this page reproduces the original language used in the historical sources drawn upon to compile this entry. This language includes offensive and derogatory terms which are today considered unacceptable. We apologise for any offence caused by such language.

According to the explanatory memorandum the Aborigines Welfare Ordninance was established to 'provide for the welfare and control of aborigines, particularly those at the Wreck Bay reserve' (Jervis Bay Territory). The 1954 Ordinance follows the lines of those of the New South Wales Aborigines Protection Act, 1909-1943 and was approved by the Aborigines Welfare Board of New South Wales.

From 1911 until 1988 a number of NSW laws as well as Commonwealth Ordinances applied in the ACT. Following self-government in 1988 the ACT passed its own laws. From 1915 the legislation applying in the ACT was also applied to Jervis Bay. After the Aborigines Welfare Repeal Ordinance 1965 the removal of all Aboriginal children came under the Child Welfare Ordinance 1957 and subsequent child welfare legislation. Repealed by Aborigines Welfare Repeal Ordinance 1965 (Cth) .

Details

The Ordinance states that the Minister may exercise a general supervision and care over all 'aborigines' and over all matters affecting the interests and welfare of 'aborigines'. On the application of a parent or guardian of a child, the Minister may admit the child to his control and provide for his/her maintenance, education and training. A person who in the opinion of the Minister is guilty of misconduct may be removed from a reserve. The Minister may apply to a court for an order to remove an 'aboriginal person' or a person 'apparently having an admixture of 'aboriginal blood' to a reserve or such other place as the court directs on the ground that the person 'is living in insanitary or undesirable conditions' or 'should be placed under control'. The court may also direct that the person returns to the State or other place from which he/she came. The Minister may issue exemptions from ordinance.

Skip to

Publications

Online Resources

Gallery

Title
Aborigines Welfare Ordinance 1954 (Cth)
Type
Document
Date
1954
Source
AustLII: Australasian Legal Information Institute; and AIATSIS: To Remove and Protect: ACT

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Aborigines Welfare Ordinance 1954, ACT Government, 1954, http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ord/1954-8/default.asp; 'Australian Capital Territory: Provisions of the legislations', in To remove and protect: laws that changed Aboriginal lives, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 2009, http://www1.aiatsis.gov.au/exhibitions/removeprotect/prov/act_prov.html.

Prepared by: Lydia Connell

Created: 4 May 2011, Last modified: 15 December 2011