Which of the following was a long-term consequence of the European colonisation of Australia? (A) Europeans avoided direct contact with Aboriginal people - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 9 - 2006 - Paper 1

The European colonisation of Australia significantly affected Aboriginal communities, particularly regarding social structures and governance. One of the long-term consequences was the erosion of traditional authority, notably the diminished role of elders within these communities. As European settlers imposed their own systems of governance and societal norms, the respect and influence that elders traditionally held in Aboriginal cultures were undermined. This created a disruptive dynamic within these communities, altering social cohesion and cultural transmission.

While some of the other options may reflect aspects of interactions between Europeans and Aboriginal peoples, they do not align as clearly with the lasting impacts of colonisation on the structure of Aboriginal communities as option C does.