Waves of Plenty: immigration and the making of Australia

In Waves of Plenty, Mark Cully examines how immigration has impacted upon the history of Australia. Much of the book examines six decades that are important in Australia's immigration history - the 1830s, 1850s, 1890s, 1950s, 1970s and 2000s. The author then describes the differences that migrants have made as Australia has become a multicultural country.

The creation and eventual removal of the White Australia Policy obviously forms much of the story as does the effects of world events impacting on additional people coming to Australia. The shape of the economy at a particular time is another factor affecting views on immigration and causing changes to immigration policy. 

Immigration has once again become a political issue largely promoted by political parties such as One Nation. Immigration is a topic prominent in other countries as well. The author provides information as to how immigration has assisted the growth of the Australian economy over the years and helped make Australia the country that it is today. By concentrating on immigration, Mark Cully in Waves of Plenty provides another work that should be read when looking at the history and development of Australia.