Who was the first person to conquer Australia?

Answer 1

Australia was not conquered. It was settled as a English penal colony when the First Fleet arrived in 1788.

Contrary to popular belief, it was also not discovered by Captain Cook. Many Dutch and Portuguese sailors visited Australian shores long before the English arrived, and before Captain Cook charted the eastern coast.

Alternative Answer

The indigenous peoples of Australia have been living in the northern area of Australia (the "Top End") for at least 40 000 years and on their arrival spread fairly rapidly across the, then uninhabited, continent. It is worth recognising that these were often completely separate nations, with markedly different languages and territories.

The English settlers, from the arrival of the "First Fleet" in 1788, forcibly settled themselves on land that already had owners. This period until the early 20th century has seen multiple armed conflicts between the original occupants and the colonists.

Indigenous activists have long referred to the arrival of the British as an invasion. They are unlikely however to refer to their country and their people as having been conquered. The ultimate impact the arrival has had upon the people might well lead an objective observer to come to that conclusion.

The dubious legality of the settlement was finally recognised in a series of law cases and legislation primarily beginning with the "Mabo" decision of 1992 and collectively referred to as Native Title.