It’s a very interesting point. But I agree with RevWar1776 Aus would still have come into being as it would have become increasingly impractical to send large fleets of convicts and indentured servants, there is a thin line between the two but a slight difference nonetheless, to highly populated colonies like the 13 states. Given the First Fleet was in a way the first mass transportation of its kind it’s more than likley the move was prompted by the opening of Australia rather than the loss of America.
Josh.