SydneyKumaran,of course smallpox didn't kill 80% of Australia-wide - this refers to the outbreak in SYDNEY in 1789, not over the whole continent. We don't know how many died this epidemic- 50%-80% is taken from impact of laterepidemics. What is so astounding is that Aboriginal people recovered, though I think their society was changed. Re violent dispossession, read chapter on 'War of the Cumberland Plain' (in The Colony)

@NewScienceAu Shame! I can send you a copy of the paper if you are interested