Government policies towards Aborigines experienced drastic changes during 1901 to 1967. In 1901, a policy of protection and segregation was in place, which changed into a policy of assimilation and finally one of self-management.
When Australia federated in 1901 the newly formed constitution did not recognize Aborigines as Australian citizens. In the early 20th century it was commonly believed that Aborigines were a dying race soon to disappear, because of this, a segregation policy was put in place. This policy tried to 'protect' the Aborigines from dying out by requiring them to live on reservations away from the whites, thereby segregating them from the community. Aborigines did not enjoy the same rights and privileges that other Australians enjoyed.
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