With colonisation, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders were subject to a range of legislative and other forms of control.
In Queensland the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 (Qld) caused the most conflict of interest. With the introduction of the Chief Protector of Aboriginals, who was given enormous control over almost all aspects of the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.
1848 Native Police established
1863 Native Mounted Police legislated
1865 Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act
http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collections/remove/54688.pdf
1881 Pearl Shell and Bêche-de-mer Fisheries Act
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/hist_act/pabfaaao19134gvn12468.pdf
1884 Native Labourers Protection Act
“An Act to Prevent the Improper Employment of Aboriginal Natives of Australia and New Guinea on Ships in Queensland Waters” (Act no. 48 Vic. No.20), Assented 17 November 1884 and repealed by on the Aboriginals Preservation and Protection Act 1939 (Act no. 3 Geo. VI No.6) 12 of October 1939. The act details the rules around the employment of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples on ships in Queensland waters. The act states details regulations for wages, signing of contracts and hiring of employee’s.
1897 Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of Sale of Opium Act
http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/qld5_doc_1897.pdf
1936 Torres Strait Strike
1939 Aboriginals Preservation and Protection Act
http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/digitised_collections/remove/54685.pdf
1939 Torres Strait Islanders Act
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/hist_act/tsiao19393gvn7382/
1965 Aborigines’ and Torres Strait Islanders’ Affairs Act
http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/54671.pdf
1967 Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1967/67AC029.pdf
1971 Aborigines Act
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1971/71AC059.pdf
1971 Torres Strait Islander Act
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1971/71AC060.pdf
1974 Aborigines Act and Torres Strait Islander’s Act Amendment Act
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1974/74AC080.pdf
1975 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws) Act (Cwlth)
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1975/75AC030.pdf
1975 Racial Discrimination Act (Cwlth)
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/rda1975202/
1984 Community Services (Aborigines) Act
1984 Community Services (Torres Strait) Act
1991 Aboriginal Land Act
1991 Torres Strait Islander Land Act
1993 Native Title Act (Cwlth)
1998 Native Title Amendment Act (Cwlth)