Since federation Aboriginal people have fought for their rights through protests, strikes and the infamous "day of mourning". However, over the last century, the Australian federal government has developed policies that manage and limit the rights, citizenship and general protection of Aboriginal people. The Australian government policy that has had the most significant impact on Indigenous Australians is the assimilation policy. The reasons behind this include the influences the Stolen Generation had on indigenous Australians, their relegated rights and their right to vote, and the impact the policy had on the indigenous people of Australia. The policy of assimilation was a policy that existed between the 1940s and 1970s, and replaced that of protectionism. Its aim was to make all people of Aboriginal and mixed blood live as "white" Australians. This long-standing practice of removing Aboriginal (generally half-breed) children from their homes was to raise them without their culture, and they were encouraged to do so. forget their Aboriginal heritage. Children were placed in institutions where they could be "trained" to take their place in white society. During the period of assimilation Aboriginal people were expected to be educated for full citizenship and have access to public education, housing and services. However, in most cases Aboriginal people did not receive equal rights and opportunities; for example, their wages were usually lower than those paid to white workers and they often received no recognition for their role in the defense of Australia and their contribution to Africa. the livestock industry. It wasn't until the early 1960s that it was spent...... half of the paper ......y.By Rachael KearneyWorks Quote“Today we honor the indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest cultures that continue in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect especially on the mistreatment of those in the Stolen Generations: this imperfect chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history, correcting the mistakes of the past and thus moving forward with confidence into the future. We apologize for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments which have inflicted profound pain, suffering and loss on our fellow Australians” (apology from Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, 16 November 2009, Parliament House, Canberra). Little Fair Play if you will be so kind as to see on my behalf" (http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/struggle.htm, 2001).