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Although Britain had colonised the eastern half of the continent, they needed to establish settlement points north, south and west in order to secure Australia from possible French colonisation. The presence of a colony would enable England to lay claim to Australia during a time when France was rapidly expanding its empire as well. A colony which established Britain's claim on Australia would also help expand the British Empire and provide a physical presence in the south Pacific. This held both strategic and economic/trade advantages for England.

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15y ago

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