2026-09-04
Life in the 1950s was like living in the One Nation dream
By Chris Johansen, Green Issue Co-editor
When Pauline Hanson stated that Australia’s migration problems began when the Whitlam Government formally ended the White Australia policy in 1973, my mind flashed back to what my life was like in the early-to-mid 1950s, when that policy was in full swing. One Nation’s policy and recent pronouncements quite accurately reflect that era, confirming that its adherents are intent on going “back to the future”. In the following I match One Nation’ policies and recent statements (in italics) with my lived experience in the 1950s, when I was 6-13 years old.
Immigration – cap at 130,000 per year, deport illegals and visa holders who break the law, refuse entry to migrants from nations known to foster extremist ideologies, etc.
The White Australia policy as it functioned in the 1950s accomplished all of these aspects and more. Immigration was restricted to persons of European origin, with those from the UK most favoured (e.g. Ten Pound Poms). Southern Europeans, as from Italy and Greece, were allowed in but given a rough welcome. It just did not enter our consciousness then that any Asians or Africans would be allowed in.
One Nation opposition to any form of support for First Nations advancement (e.g. opposition to Voice referendum, Welcome to Country, specific social welfare, etc.) was flourishing in the 1950s. We were told that Aboriginals were a dying race, which was partially true due to their lack of immunity to diseases introduced by Europeans and meagre medical facilities available to them. Those of mixed blood were put into Christian missions or adopted out (stolen generation) with the purpose of complete assimilation into white society (use of native language and ceremony being prohibited).
At this point I must respectfully correct Senator Penny Wong who recently stated that Australia has never been a monoculture. Having lived there then I can confirm that in the 1950s Australia was indeed very much a monoculture. There would have been zero possibility of anyone resembling Penny Wong becoming a senator then.
Climate change – don’t believe in it.
In the 1950s there was almost universal belief that the climate doesn’t change; the weather just fluctuates year to year. Only a handful of academics were aware of the heat trapping properties of carbon dioxide, although the science was established in the nineteenth century, and even fewer who hypothesized that continued greenhouse gas emissions could indeed change the climate.
Embracing coal, oil and gas.
In the 1950s it was universally accepted that advancement of human civilization depended on ever increasing extraction and burning of these fossil fuels
Forestry and Fisheries – oppose moves to lock away native forests and restrictions on fishing.
The prevailing idea in the 1950s was that the natural environment was there to be exploited. Especially in a vast continent with low human population like Australia there was little thought that anything would ever be “running out”. Concepts of “sustainability” had not yet arrived.
Water – its use should be prioritized for farming and mining.
Yes, in the 1950s water was considered as another natural resource to be endlessly exploited for human well-being. Even though river systems and aquifers could be depleted during droughts the belief was that they would be recharged when the rains again came, as they surely would. Dam building was very much in fashion, irrespective of any possible adverse ecological consequences.
Firearms ownership – “defend the rights of law-abiding Australians to own, use and safely enjoy firearms as part of our nation’s way of life.”
There were few restrictions on private citizen gun ownership in the 1950s, and their use in hunting was widespread – a favourite “sporting” activity, whether aimed at native or feral game.
Pro-life ‒ roll back legislation of recent decades legalizing various forms of abortion.
\n the 1950s any form of abortion was considered a sin.
I lived the One Nation Dream
I must admit that my life during my time at primary school was wonderful. Of course it depended on being of Anglo heritage. My Norwegian surname was no impediment as Scandinavians were generally acceptable as they could usually speak English, and they looked like Anglos.
And, I accepted everything that I was told back then. Simply because a child’s mind is a blank canvas, imprinting all of the information made available without any alternative terms of reference to actually evaluate it. If presented with One Nation’s manifesto at age 12 I surely would have endorsed it.
On reaching my teens however, all sorts of “hey, wait a minute” moments kept popping up, questioning what I had been fed in my earlier years. And this process has continued to the present day. For example, I’m still learning things about actual First Nations history that I should have been taught in childhood, rather than just the history of the “glorious” British Empire.
But not only by me, the Australian population and government has moved on somewhat from the accepted status quo of the 1950s. One example being PM Kevin Rudd’s apology to the stolen generations.
Conclusion
Should One Nation be elected to government, or even as a coalition with the Coalition, it would be back to the 1950s. Anglos would again reign supreme, but with tough times for non-Anglos. I doubt though that I could relive the good times of my childhood. My mind is no longer a blank canvas, but full of the terms of reference to enable me to critically evaluate the information being fed to me.
Header photo: Growing up in 1950s Australia. Source Debra Trayler
[Opinions expressed are those of the author and not official policy of Greens WA]