Η μεταναστευτική πολιτική της Αυστραλίας προς την Ελλάδα και η ελληνική μεταπολεμική μετανάστευση (1945–1953)

Abstract

Please note: this article is in Greek. The Australian national policy for immigration towards Greece and post-war Greek migration (1945–1953): After the end of the Second World War, Australia’s immigration policy entered a significant and intense phase, aiming at a rapid population increase for future economic prosperity and territorial security. Australia aimed at inviting and accepting large numbers of migrants (predominantly British and Northern European) so the population would increase and, at the same time, maintain its racial homogeneity and social balance. In our article we focus on the post-war Australian immigration policy and its impact on Greek migration to Australia. Through sources from the National Archives of Australia and information from contemporary Greek and Australian Newspapers, we examine the formative and decisive years of 1945–1953, during which, the parameters were set for the development of mass Greek migration to Australia. The main events which set Greek migration to Australia in motion were: the inclusion of the Greeks to migration programs such as the Intergovernmental Commission for European Migration (ICEM) and the formal agreement signed between Greece and ICEM. Greek migrants’ numbers increased dramatically after 1953, with the establishment of diplomatic ties between Greece and Australia and the visit of the Australian Minister for immigration, Harold Holt, to Athens.