Australia
became a self-governing dominion of the British
Empire in 1901. Although the federal government was appointed
by a British governor, the two-tier parliament was elected by adult
suffrage. Unlike in Britain, Australian
women were granted the vote in 1902.
By the beginning of the 20th century the population of around 5 million
was mainly concentrated on the coast but an estimated 200,000 native
Australians were living in the interior. The Immigration Restriction
Act of July 1902 imposed a linguistic ability test so as to maintain
what became known as a 'White Australia' policy.
The Australian Army was formed in 1901.
It was a very small army and was organism solely for home defence.
The regular army was backed-up by a part-time volunteer militia (45,000
men in 1914). All males of combat age were required by law to undertake
military training.
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