The most immediate consequence of British settlement was a wave of Old World epidemic diseases which started within weeks of the first colonists' arrival. Smallpox alone had killed more than 50% of the Aboriginal population. The second consequence of British settlement was appropriation of land and water resources. The combination of disease, loss of land and direct violence reduced the Aboriginal population by an estimated 90% between 1788 and 1900. ==============================================
One would certainly worry if our "new" immigrants were looking likely to wipe out 90% of the population within a decade.
