Premise: Australia . After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606 , Australia 's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788 . New South Wales . The Colony of New South Wales was founded as a penal colony in 1788 .
Hypothesis: New South Wales was the first colony in Australia, settled on 26 January 1788.
Label: NEUTRAL