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Western Australia - Legislation

Native Welfare Act 1963 (1963 - 1972)

  • Native Welfare Act 1963 (WA)

    Native Welfare Act 1963 (WA)
    Details

From
1963
To
1972
Categories
Principal Act
Website
https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a6538.html

The Native Welfare Act 1963 repealed Aborigines Act 1905 and all the Acts that ammended the 1905 Act. Under the 1963 Act the Commissioner of Native Welfare ceased to be the guardian of Aboriginal children, but was responsible for the 'custody, maintenance and education of the children of natives'. TheNative Welfare Act 1963 was repealed by the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972.

Details

The Native Welfare Act 1963 came into effect on 1 July 1964. It repealed all legislation relating to Aboriginal matters from the Aborigines Act 1905 through to the Native Welfare Act Amendment Act 1960.

The Department of Native Welfare (s.7c) retained responsibility 'to provide for the custody, maintenance and education of the children of natives' and the Governor (s.37.2d) could make regulations for those purposes, but the Commissioner of Native Welfare was no longer the guardian of these children. One of the key responsibilities of the Department (s.7f) was to assist in the 'economic and social assimilation' of 'natives', and specified that only 'natives' and specified persons were to enter or remain on reserves.

Timeline

 1887 - 1906 Aborigines Protection Act 1886
       1844 - 1906 Aboriginal Girls Protection 1844
       1887 - 1906 Aborigines Protection Act 1886
       1898 - 1906 Aborigines Act 1897
             1906 - 1964 Aborigines Act 1905
             1941 - 1963 Native Administration Act Amendment Act 1941
             1960 - 1963 Native Welfare Act Amendment Act 1960
                   1963 - 1972 Native Welfare Act 1963
                         1972 - Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972

Related Concepts

Related Legislation

  • Community Welfare Act 1972 (1972 - 2006)

    The Community Welfare Act 1972 made the specific reponsibilties to Aboriginal children outlined in Native Welfare Act 1963 part of the broader responsibilties to all Western Australian children.

Related Organisations

Publications

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Native Welfare Act 1963 (WA)
Title
Native Welfare Act 1963 (WA)
Type
Document
Date
1963

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: To Remove and Protect: Aboriginal Lives Under Control [website], 2010, https://aiatsis.gov.au/collection/featured-collections/remove-and-protect.

Prepared by: Debra Rosser and Rebe Taylor