Yes indeed that's when the first Australia policy came into full force as there we concerns of take over by immigration. I don't think those views have really ever changed amongst some.
I think China's attempts at shutting Australia up about COVID is a real indication of something being sus. Especially their extreme lengths to limit the World Health Organisation.
Well, they gave people from the UK free land. The stealing of kids and taking of convicts was rooted in populist politics. America was the place UK used to dump "criminals" as it was a vote winner in the UK. Eventually America said enough and passed laws prohibiting it and the UK was forced to find another location and quickly set off for Australia.