Episode 8
20th April 2010
Activity
Population Debate
Key Learning
Students will develop a deeper understanding of the history of immigration in Australia.
The Australian Curriculum
Geography / Geographical Knowledge and
Understanding
Differences in the economic, demographic and social
characteristics between countries across the
world (ACHGK032)
The world’s cultural diversity, including that of its indigenous
peoples (ACHGK033)
History / Historical Knowledge and Understanding /
The Australian Colonies
The reasons people migrated to Australia from Europe
and Asia, and the experiences and contributions of a particular
migrant group within a colony. (ACHHK096)
History / Historical Knowledge and Understanding /
Australia as a Nation
The contribution of individuals and groups, including Aboriginal
people and/or Torres Strait Islanders and migrants, to the
development of Australian society, for example in areas such as
the economy, education, science, the arts, sport. (ACHHK116)
Stories of groups of people who migrated to Australia (including
from ONE Asian country) and the reasons they migrated, such
as World War II and Australian migration programs since the
war. (ACHHK115)
History / Historical Skills / Historical questions and
research
Identify and locate a range of relevant sources (ACHHS120)
Discussion Questions
1. Retell the BtN Population debate story.
2. How much has Australia’s population grown in the last 50 years?
3. If the population keeps growing at its current rate, it will be______ by 2050.
4. What factors affect a growing population?
5. Why were people encouraged to move to Australia?
6. What sorts of incentives were offered?
7. Describe the different groups wanting to migrate to Australia now?
8. What are the benefits of a growing population?
9. What are some disadvantages?
10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?
©ABC 2010
Activities
Students will learn more about the history of immigration in Australia and the current population debate.
Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete.
Remember and Understand
 Create a timeline that shows the waves of immigration that occurred in Australia from 1788 to the present
day.
 Research and create a profile of a famous person who migrated to Australia in recent years. Describe the
contribution they have made.
 Find out what the following words mean: Emigrate, immigrate and migrate.
Apply and Analyse
 You are the newly appointed Population Minister. Prepare a speech about why immigration is important to
Australia. Use the internet to help research your speech and include the economic and social benefits of
immigration.
 The White Australia Policy of excluding all non-European people from immigrating into Australia was the
official policy of all governments and all mainstream political parties in Australia from the 1890s to the
1950s. Create a poster or board game that teaches other students about the policy. The following
interactive activity has more information about the policy.
http://www.history.sa.gov.au/migration/edu/activity2.htm
 Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events in the lives of one cultural group who came to
Australia. Collect cartoon strips from other students and display them in an interesting way.
Evaluate and Create

Bring in an object from home that says something about immigration and your family. Create a
caption for your object and write a brief story about the object explaining its significance. Display
captioned items in a public space at school (administration area or resource centre).

Create a song or artwork (painting, collage or drawing) to show what a migrant’s experience may be
like.

Conduct an interview with someone about their immigration story. This may be another student,
teacher, relative or friend. Collate the information under the following headings – Country of origin,
Reasons for migration and Early experiences.
©ABC 2010
 Related Research Links
ABC Behind the News – Asylum Seekers
http://abc.net.au/btn/story/s2551598.htm
ABC News – Rule changes leave asylum seekers in limbo
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/09/2868398.htm
Australian Human Rights Commission – Asylum seekers and refugees
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/asylum_seekers.html
SA Migration Museum – Knocking on the door of White Australia
http://www.history.sa.gov.au/migration/edu/activity2.htm
©ABC 2010