In 1876 the Queensland Parliament passed a Bill to amend the Gold Fields Act of 1874 which levied a higher gold licence fee upon Asians – in order to discourage their immigration into Australia. The British-appointed Governor of Queensland reserved the Bill, and the British Government supported his actions – thus the Bill did not become law.

In 1896 an intercolonial conference was held where the question of Chinese immigration was discussed, whereupon the colonies decided that “the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the people of Australasia”. Accordingly, during 1896, Coloured Races Restriction Bills were passed in New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania (and an Asiatic Restriction Bill in New Zealand). These Bills were reserved, and “did not receive Her Majesty’s assent”; hence, they did not become law.

In December 1900, the Queensland parliament passed an amendment to the Sugar Works Guarantee Act 1893 to 1895 which would stop the employment of any “natives of Asia, Africa, or of the Pacific Islands” in any sugar mill subsidised by the Government. This Bill was reserved for the Royal Assent, which the British Government refused to give; and so, the Bill did not become law.