Squattocracy

The term squattocracy, a play on aristocracy, was coined to describe this landholding class and the sociopolitical power they possessed. By the late 19th century, the squattocracy had largely faded as a distinct social class. Land reform, expanding colonial bureaucracy, and the rise of democratic politics reduced their political dominance, though many former squatters remained wealthy pastoralists. By the time of Federation in 1901, the term squattocracy was largely obsolete, marking the transition of squatters from a powerful colonial elite to a less formally defined group of large landholders.