The First 100 Years of Tariffs in Australia: The Colonies

This paper reviews the history of tariffs imposed by the six Australian colonies during the 19th century. First, in each of the colonies, it identifies the starting points for the first tariffs, first preferences, and other features and the turning points in the levels of tariffs. It then constructs time series of the average tariff levels in the individual colonies and an average for All Six Colonies Combined. The conclusion notes general features of the pattern of tariffs and how the main features of colonial tariffs carried over to the Commonwealth Customs Tariff in the 20th century.