To what extent were the Selection Acts important to the establishment of early colonial settlements in Australia?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that the Selection Acts were important to the establishment of early colonial settlements in Australia. In support of the argument candidates may consider the ways in which the Selection Acts increased land ownership and resulted in millions of acres of land being purchased and cultivated. However, candidates may also argue that the Selection Acts were rather limited and only directly benefited a few hundred settlers. The wider impact of the Selection Acts may be discussed, this could include the development of towns, industries and railways and the use of more modernized farming methods. Candidates may challenge the argument by discussing other factors that were important to the establishment of early settlements including immigration, land distribution, squatting and the gold rushes.