Protest

Torres Strait Islander maritime strike, 1936

Name: Torres Strait Islander maritime strike, 1936
Start: 1936-01-01

1 January 1936

Boat workers struck against the discriminatory "Protector" system, a major early act of resistance.

What happened

In January 1936, Torres Strait Islander boat workers struck against the "Protector" system.[1]

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

1.
Claim: In January 1936, Torres Strait Islander boat workers on Queensland-government "company boats" went on strike against the "Protector" system of wage controls, movement curfews, and forced-store credit pay; at least 30 strikers were imprisoned, and the strike is regarded as a major early act of First Nations resistance that catalysed later governance reforms.
- 1936 Torres Strait Islands maritime strike (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)) link, 1936 maritime strike section. Government perspective or primary official source Source record