Robertson Land Acts

The Robertson Land Acts, enacted starting in 1861 in New South Wales, Australia, were a series of legislative measures aimed at reducing the power of wealthy landowners, known as squatters, and opening up land for smaller settlers, or selectors. These acts were a significant development in the colony's move towards self-governance and aimed to democratize land ownership.1

The broader context of New South Wales' history involved a transition from a penal colony to a free society, with increasing demands for political representation from colonists. The land acts were part of a larger reform movement that sought to balance the interests of established pastoralists with those of aspiring small farmers. This period also saw the development of responsible government, where power shifted from the governor to elected officials, and the emergence of political factions and early labor movements.21