The Beatles and "White Australia"

The report below from the Sydney Morning Herald, June 19, 19964, is interesting in showing The Beatles' interest in issues of racial discrimination at that time, a theme that would resurface in the USA three months later

It is also worth noting that the White Australia policy, which had been introduced in 1901 to exclude people from Australia's neighbouring Asian countries (especially China), was nearing the end of its life at this point. It was effectively terminated in March 1966. The main factor in ending the policy was Australia's increasing dependence on global public opinion and economic pressure. The Beatles tour of 1964 made a contribution to that, spreading a form of music largely invented by African-Americans and allowing The Beatles to speak freely in press conferences.