Why did Britain send convicts to Western Australia between 1850 and 1868?

Britain sent nearly 10,000 male convicts to Western Australia between 1850 and 1868 primarily in response to requests from wealthy local landowners who were seeking a source of inexpensive convict labour.12

At that time, the use of convict labor was falling out of favor in the eastern Australian colonies, which were moving toward ending the practice. Western Australia, however, was struggling with isolation and a lack of sufficient investment and population to support rapid economic growth. By accepting convicts, the colony gained access to a workforce that contributed to public infrastructure projects, such as the construction of roads and public buildings, which fostered signs of economic progress.12