What was Northern laws before federation?

Before Australian federation in 1901, the northern part of the continent was largely under the control of the British colonial government. The Northern Territory was under the jurisdiction of the government of South Australia, while Queensland covered what was then known as 'Northern Queensland'. As such, the laws in the north were reflective of the legal systems of those colonies.

In South Australia, the legal system was based on the principles of English common law and was codified in the South Australian Acts of 1836 and 1842. The laws in the Northern Territory were mostly derived from South Australian law, with modifications made to suit local conditions. Some notable laws included:

- The Aboriginal Protection Act 1886: This act restricted the movement and activities of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory and was criticized for its paternalistic and racist provisions.

-The Mining Act 1893: This act regulated the mining industry in the Northern Territory and aimed to encourage investment and development in the region.

-The Criminal Code 1899: This code provided a comprehensive framework for criminal law and was based on the Indian Penal Code.

In Queensland, the legal system was also based on English common law and was codified in the Queensland Statutes of 1865. The laws in Northern Queensland were largely similar to those in the rest of the colony, but there were some specific enactments that addressed the unique circumstances of the region. These included:

- The Northern Queensland Mining Act 1871: This act provided for the regulation of mining in the region and was designed to attract investment and development.

-The Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897: This act imposed restrictions on the movements, employment, and other activities of Aboriginal people and also regulated the sale of opium in the region.

-The Land Act 1902: This act provided for the alienation and administration of land in Northern Queensland and was instrumental in opening up the region for settlement and development.