In the 19th century, the British government claimed to own all of Australia and tried to control land ownership. Wealthy farmers of livestock claimed land for themselves and thus were known as squatters. This type of squatting is covered in greater detail at Squatting (Australian history). During the late 1940s the squatting of hundreds of empty houses and military camps, forced federal and state governments to provide emergency shelter during a period when Australians faced a shortage of more than 300 000 homes. In more recent times, there have been Australian squats in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was set up in 1972 and is a permanent protest occupation. The 2016 Bendigo Street housing dispute saw squatters successfully contesting road-building plans. The Midnight Star squat was used as a self-managed social centre in a former cinema, before being evicted after being used as a convergence space during the 2002 World Trade Organization meeting.
In the 19th century the British government claimed to own all of Australia and tried to control land ownership Wealthy farmers of livestock claimed land for themselves and thus were known as squatters This type of squatting is covered in greater detail at Squatting (Australian history) During the late 1940s the squatting of hundreds of empty houses and military camps forced federal and state governments to provide emergency shelter during a period when Australians faced a shortage of more than 300 000 homes In more recent times there have been Australian squats in Canberra Melbourne and Sydney The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was set up in 1972 and is a permanent protest occupation The 2016 Bendigo Street housing dispute saw squatters successfully contesting road-building plans The Midnight Star squat was used as a self-managed social centre in a former cinema before being evicted after being used as a convergence space during the 2002 World Trade Organization meeting