Tony
You are right that the Japanese were treated far more severely than European enemy nationals (White Australia mentality?) Fortunately, in the scheme of things there were very few of them.
Many of the European, long term Australian residents were released - particularly farmers - long before the war finished. This specially applied to the large Italian community even before Italy changed sides.
In most cases only the men were imprisoned (and often used as government labour force) leaving the women and kids to carry on. Those kids must have suffered hell at school from the Australian kids. Many women struggled but some did very well by hiring labour and Luigi had a better farm when he returned.
A sad business all around.
Lang
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