Sir Hubert Murray believed Papua needed unique policies unlike other colonies and imposed strict regulations that removed responsibility from Papuans. While Britain decentralized power, Murray would not support education beyond primary level. Later administrators embraced the "unique Papua" theory to avoid criticism and ignore other colonial models. The Australian administration destroyed traditional leadership, made Papuans entirely dependent on its authority, and caused a loss of self-confidence. Debates over citizenship reflected a reaction against restrictive Australian control and a desire for expatriates to withdraw support.