Legislation Aborigines Act 1905

State of Western Australia

From

1905

To

1905

Categories

Legislation

Summary

[Taken from the To Remove and Protect website:]
The Aborigines Act 1905, established the position of Chief Protector who was the legal guardian of 'every aboriginal and half-caste child' to the age of 16 years. Regional protectors were to be appointed with power to grant permits for employment of Aboriginal males less than 14 years and Aboriginal females. No person was to remove any 'aboriginal', any male 'half-caste' under 16, or any female 'half-caste' without the written authority of a protector. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs may remove 'aboriginals' from one reserve or district to another reserve or district. The marriage of an 'aboriginal' woman and a non-Aboriginal man was to require the permission of the Chief Protector. The Minister may exempt 'aboriginals' from the Act but an exemption could be cancelled at any time. Regulations may be made for 'the care, custody and education of the children of aborigines and half-castes' and 'enabling any aboriginal or half-caste child to be sent to and detained in an aboriginal institution, industrial school or orphanage'. The Aborigines Act 1905 was repealed by the Native Welfare Act 1963.