Perth Prohibited Area facts for kids
The Perth Prohibited Area was a special zone in Perth, Western Australia, where Aboriginal people were not allowed to enter without a special pass. This rule was in place for many years, from 1927 until 1954. The area covered about 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) right in the heart of the City of Perth.
This ban was started by a government official named A. O. Neville, who was known as the "protector of Aborigines" at the time. He used a law called the Aborigines Act 1905 (WA) to make this rule official in 1927.
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What Was the Perth Prohibited Area?
The Perth Prohibited Area was a part of the city where Aboriginal people could not go freely. If they needed to work in the city, they had to leave by 6 PM. If they didn't leave, they could face serious trouble, like being forced to pay money or being made to leave the city.
Why Was This Rule Created?
The rule was strictly enforced. Records show that many Aboriginal people faced consequences for being in the area after the allowed time. A historian named Stephen Kinnane has suggested that one reason for the ban might have been that A. O. Neville was unhappy when Aboriginal people won against white Australians in sports competitions held in a place called White City. This shows that the ban was likely based on unfair treatment and racism.
When Did the Ban End?
The Perth Prohibited Area rule was finally removed in 1954. This meant that Aboriginal people could then move more freely within the city without needing special permits or facing strict curfews. The end of this ban was an important step towards fairer treatment for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.
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