Both my parents are English and came out to Australia in 1967. I was born the following year. My parents, and immigrants like them, were known as '£10 poms.' Back then, the Australian government was trying to get educated British people and Canadians - to be honest, educated white people - to come and live in Australia.

In this quote, Hugh Jackman reflects on his family’s immigration story, specifically referencing the term “£10 poms.” This term was used to describe British immigrants who came to Australia under a government program that charged them a fee of just £10 for the journey in the post-war period. The aim of this initiative was to encourage educated British and Canadian citizens to move to Australia to help populate and develop the country, especially in the face of a labor shortage.

The program was part of Australia’s broader immigration policy during the 1950s and 1960s, which was focused on attracting white immigrants, largely from the United Kingdom and Europe. This reflected the country’s desire to increase its population with people deemed to be well-educated and able to contribute to the economy and society. Jackman’s mention of “educated white people” alludes to the racially exclusionary aspects of this immigration policy, which was part of the broader framework of the White Australia policy that prioritized white immigration over other racial groups.

Jackman’s statement also provides a glimpse into the personal history of his family and the broader immigrant experience. His parents, having come to Australia in 1967, were part of a significant wave of British immigrants. For Jackman, the legacy of the £10 poms program is a foundational part of his identity, as his parents’ decision to migrate shaped his upbringing in Australia.

In a broader context, Jackman’s quote touches on the complexities of immigration, national identity, and the ways in which policies have historically favored certain groups. His reflection also highlights the changing nature of immigration practices and the evolving definition of what it means to belong to a country like Australia.