4. 'Populate or Perish'

The Second World War changed everything — or mostly everything. In Episode 4 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers dives into the complexities of Australia's post-war immigration policies and their impact on diverse migrants. Janak’s parents were a British ex-soldier and an Indian diplomat’s daughter who met on a trip to the Taj Mahal and later migrated to Australia. But their journey to Australia was thanks to the benign-sounding, but clearly racially driven, Assisted Passage Migration Scheme. The scheme allowed British immigrants, known as "ten pound poms," to settle in Australia for just £10. The episode explores the origins of this migration scheme, tied to Australia's post-war fears and the "Populate or Perish" policy. Hear how Australia’s immigration policy evolved from a strictly racial preference to a more inclusive, albeit imperfect, approach.

British migrants on the deck of Georgic, a ship that brought over 800 migrants to Sydney in 1949.

Arthur Calwell became the first Australian Minister for Immigration in 1945. He initially aimed to populate Australia with British immigrants but eventually expanded the policy to include other European migrants, albeit with a clear racial hierarchy. White Europeans were welcomed more warmly than others, and migrants from Eastern Europe, known as the "Beautiful Balts" were subjected to both assimilation efforts and subtle racism.

This episode reveals how Australia’s approach to immigration evolved from a strictly racial preference, and critiques the lingering effects of these policies on modern Australian society.

There’s an assumption that it’s all big happy families. Nonna’s cooking in the kitchen 24 hours a day. In fact my family’s story was quite different. We were quite isolated. I didn’t grow up for example with a strong sense of the Catholic church in my life. I didn’t have a sense of those strong family networks. So that really impacted my own sense of Italianness.

Gwenda Tavan — author The Long Slow Death of White Australia

A newspaper report about two Lithuanian migrants at the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre.

Australia Fair offers a critical look at the nation's struggle to reconcile its diverse present with its exclusionary past.

LISTEN TO

4. 'Populate or Perish'

SBS Audio

34:23English

Find all episodes in the eight-part series in the SBS Audio app or other podcast apps such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LiSTNR.

GUESTS

Gwenda Tavan - author The Long Slow Death of White Australia

Shelley Knight - Team Leader, Bonegilla Migrant Experience

Peter Gaspar - Holocaust survivor

Australia Fair is created by Janak Rogers

Additional editing by Max Gosford

The podcast is dedicated to Joyrsri Trivedi Rogers (1945 — 2024). "Woman Extraordinary. Plenipotentiary. Citizen of the World, Origin India". And, to John Michael Rogers (1932 - 2002).