Historical Dictionary of Australia

Australia’s development, from the most unpromising of beginnings as a British prison in 1788 to the prosperous liberal democracy of the present is as remarkable as is its success as a country of large-scale immigration. Since 1942 it has been a loyal ally of the United States and has demonstrated this loyalty by contributing troops to the war in Vietnam and by being part of the “coalition of the willing” in the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and in operations in Afghanistan. In recent years, it has also been more willing to promote peace and democracy in its Pacific and Asian neighbors.This fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of Australia covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Australia.

About the Author

Norman Abjorensen is a visiting fellow in the policy and governance program at the Crawford School of Public Policy, College of Asia and Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra. He also serves on the advisory board of the Asia Media Directory in Singapore. James C. Docherty worked for the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and was an Honorary Research Associate with the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University from 1990 to 1996. Before that, he worked with the Australian Dictionary of Biography at the Australian National University and at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.