In 1846 the Aboriginal population of the Hunter region is reported as sharply diminishing over the past ten years by up to two-thirds. The means of Aboriginal subsistence is almost disappeared. By this time, a relationship of interdependence has emerged. Aboriginal people are attracted to food at homesteads and townships, while farmers and others need their labour (Report from the Select Committee on the Condition of the Aborigines for the Hunter region, in Lucas, 52-57).