How did convict labour contribute to the development of Western Australia?

In the mid-19th century, Western Australia faced significant economic challenges due to its isolation and a lack of investment and population. To address these issues, wealthy landowners requested inexpensive convict labour, leading the British government to transport nearly 10,000 male convicts to the region between 1850 and 1868.12

While the introduction of convicts brought social challenges, it also provided the necessary workforce to drive economic progress and infrastructure development. Convict labour was instrumental in the construction of essential public works, including the building of roads and various public structures. A notable example of this development is the Fremantle Prison, which was constructed largely by convicts using locally quarried limestone.123

Despite these contributions, the colony continued to struggle compared to its eastern neighbors, earning it the nickname "the Cinderella colony" during this period.12