How did squatters gain stronger claims to land in 1847?

In 19th-century Australia, the status of squatters—who had previously occupied crown land illegally—shifted significantly by the late 1840s.12

Recognizing the vital economic contributions these individuals made to the wool industry, authorities began formalizing their land rights in 1847. This was achieved by issuing squatters official leases for their sheep runs, which granted them legal tenure for periods extending up to 14 years. This transition from illegal occupation to a structured leasehold system provided squatters with a secure hold on the land, ultimately cementing their position as a powerful and wealthy social class.12