The arrival of Europeans presented a challenge to the aborigines. Like the Indians of the Americas, the aborigines often fell victim to unfamiliar diseases. At times there was open warfare between settiers and natives. By the 20th century, aborigines had been greatly reduced in number. Many lived in a traditional manner in isolated communities. Other lived and worked like other Australians in towns and cities. They often faced racial prejudice and discrimination. in recent years australia's government has adopted policies aimed at protecting the rights of aborigines and ending discrimination against them. Australia's 250,000 present-day aborigines make up almost 1.5 percent of the country's people