Introduction- "The enemy within"

‘The enemy within’ was the phrase used to describe ‘enemy aliens’ residing in Australia, usually non-Australian citizens born in countries that were now the enemy at war, such as Germany, Austria and Turkey. The term ‘aliens’ at that time referred to people who were not British subjects or not Australian Citizens.

The ‘aliens’ would be placed in internment camps due to their birth or family connections with enemy nations or because of their allegiance, although some of those people interned had little evidence of their threat to war or Australian society.

The Ottoman Empire allied with Germany in the World War I, although there were already Turks living in Australia since 1901. As a result, Turkish-born residents were declared to be enemy aliens and placed under surveillance. Some were interned or released on parole.

World War I also caused many Australians to turn against their German, later their Austrian neighbours, even though most of them have been naturalised and had their sons fighting in the Australian army. This attitude was encouraged by official anti-German propaganda and jealousy. Local authorities made unjustified searches, surveillance and arrest on the Germans and the Austrians.

Many were interned during the war, with 700 naturalised citizens and 70 Australian born. At the end of the war, 6150 Germans and other enemy alien nationals were deported.

http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/homefront/enemy.html

http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/zivillager/internees.shtml

http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/immigration/mobile_devices/ch04s05.html

http://uncommonlives.naa.gov.au/muslim-journeys/arrivals/turks.aspx