This article is part of the series History of Australia

Prehistory

Before 1788

1788-1850

1851-1900

1901-1945

Since 1945

Timeline

The federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed a federation. When the Constitution of Australia came into force, on 1 January 1901, the colonies collectively became states of the Commonwealth of Australia. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The written history of Australia began when Dutch explorers first sighted the country in the 17th century. ... The prehistory of Australia is the period between the first human habitation of the Australian continent and the first definitive sighting of Australia by Europeans in 1606, which may be taken as the beginning of the recent history of Australia. ... The first definite sighting of Australia by European explorers was in 1606. ... // Following the loss of the American Colonies, Britain needed to find alternative destinations that could take the population of its overcrowded prisons. ... The history of Australia from 1851 - 1900 continues Australias colonial history, the discovery of gold in 1851 which led to increased economic and political independence from Britain and a great debate about federation. ... The history of Australia from 1901 - 1945 begins with the federation of the colonies to create the Commonwealth of Australia. ... The history of Australia since 1945 has seen a move away from Britain in political, social and cultural terms to engagement with the United States and Asia. ... This is a timeline of Australian history. ... A self-governing colony is a colony with an elected legislature, in which politicians are able to make most decisions without reference to the colonial power with formal or nominal control of the colony. ... NSW redirects here. ... For other uses, see Queensland (disambiguation). ... For the song, see South Australia (song). ... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product... VIC redirects here. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... This article is about federal states. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The states and territories of Australia make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. ... Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is the sixth-largest country in the world, the only country to occupy an entire continent, and the largest in the region of Australasia/Oceania. ...

Early efforts to bring about federation in the 1850s and 1860s,^{[citation needed]} were dogged by the lack of popular support for the movement. A number of conventions were held during the 1890s to develop a constitution for the Commonwealth. Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of New South Wales, was instrumental in this process. Fiji and New Zealand were originally part of this process, but decided not to join the federation. // Production of steel revolutionized by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Railroads begin to supplant canals in the United States as a primary means of transporting goods. ... // The First Transcontinental Railroad in the USA was built in the six year period between 1863 and 1869. ... The 1890s were sometimes referred to as the Mauve Decade, because William Henry Perkins aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that colour in fashion, and also as the Gay Nineties, under the then-current usage of the word gay which referred simply to merriment and frivolity, with no... Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG (27 May 1815 – 27 April 1896) was an Australian politician, also called the Father of Federation. ... NSW redirects here. ...

Sir Edmund Barton was the caretaker Prime Minister of Australia at the inaugural 1901 federal election at which he retained the Prime Ministership. Sir Edmund Barton, GCMG, QC (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the first Prime Minister of Australia and a founding justice of the High Court of Australia. ... The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. ... Federal elections for the inaugural Parliament of Australia were held in Australia on March 29 and March 30, 1901 following Federation and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia. ...

The federal idea

Federal Council

A serious movement for federation of the colonies arose in the late 1880s, at a time when there was increasing nationalism amongst Australians, the great majority of whom were native born. The idea of being "Australian" began to be celebrated in songs and poems. This was fostered by improvements in transport and communications, such as the establishment of a telegraph between the colonies in 1872. The Australian colonies were also influenced by other federations which had emerged around the world, notably the United States, Canada and Switzerland. Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolizing French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Sir Henry Parkes, then the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, first proposed a Federal Council body in 1867. After it was rejected by the Secretary of the State for the Colonies, the Duke of Buckingham, Parkes brought up the issue again at a conference in 1880, this time as the Premier of New South Wales. At the conference, representatives from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia considered a number of issues including federation, communication, Chinese immigration, vine diseases and uniform tariff rates. Federation had the potential to ensure that throughout the continent, trade and commerce would be unaffected by protectionism and measurement and transport would be standardised. Sir Henry Parkes (27 May 1815 – 27 April 1896), Australian politician, is sometimes called the Father of Federation and is at least considered the most prominent among the Australian Founding Fathers. ... Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Richard Plantagenet Campbell Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (10 September 1823 - 26 March 1889), usually shortened to Richard Temple-Grenville, was a British statesman of the 19th century, and a close friend and subordinate of Benjamin Disraeli. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... List of Premiers of New South Wales Before the 1890s there was no formal party system in New South Wales. ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        For other uses of this word, see tariff (disambiguation). ... Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as high tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, a variety of restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and anti-dumping laws in an attempt to protect domestic industries in a particular nation from foreign take-over...

The final and successful push for the Federal Council came at an intercolonial conference in 1883, called to debate the strategies needed to counter the activities of the German and French in New Guinea and New Caledonia. Samuel Griffith, the Premier of Queensland, drafted a Bill to constitute the Federal Council. The conference successfully petitioned the Imperial Parliament to enact the bill as the Federal Council of Australasia Act 1885.^[1] Year 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Sir Samuel Griffith Sir Samuel Walker Griffith (June 21, 1845 - August 9, 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the principal author of the Constitution of Australia. ... List of Premiers of Queensland Before the 1890s there was no formal party system in Queensland. ... Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin MP Speaker of the House of Lords Hélène Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist...

As a result, a Federal Council of Australasia was formed, to represent the affairs of the colonies in their relations with the South Pacific islands. New South Wales and New Zealand did not join. The self-governing colonies of Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, as well as the Crown Colonies of Western Australia and Fiji, became involved. South Australia was briefly a member between 1888 and 1890. The Federal Council had powers to legislate directly upon certain matters, such as in relation to extradition, regulation of fisheries and so on, but it did not have a permanent secretariat, executive powers or revenue of its own. Furthermore, the absence of the powerful colony of New South Wales weakened its representative value. The Australiasian Federal Council was a fore-runner to the current Commonwealth of Australia, though its structure and members were different. ... Australasia Australasia is a term variably used to describe a region of Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. ... A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ... Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... Extradition is the official process by which one nation or state requests and obtains from another nation or state the surrender of a suspected or convicted criminal. ...

Nevertheless, it was the first major form of intercolonial cooperation. It provided an opportunity for federalists from around the country to meet and exchange ideas. The means by which the Council was established endorsed the continuing role that the Imperial Parliament would have in the development of Australia's constitutional landscape. In terms of the Federal Council of Australia Act, the Australian drafters established a number of powers dealing with their "common interest" which would later be replicated in the Australian Constitution, especially section 51. The term federalist refers to several sets of political beliefs around the world. ... Section 51 of the Australian Constitution grants legislative powers to the Australian (Commonwealth) Parliament. ...

Opposition

The individual colonies were somewhat wary of federation. Smaller colonies in particular were wary of delegating power to a national government which they feared would be dominated by the more populous New South Wales and Victoria. Queensland feared the advent of national legislation (see White Australia Policy), which would restrict the importation of kanakas labourers and jeopardise its sugar cane industry. This badge from 1906 shows the use of the expression White Australia at that time While there was never any specific official policy called the White Australia policy, this is the term used for a collection of historical legislation and policies which either intentionally or unintentionally restricted non-white immigration... The Kanakas were workers brought from the Pacific Islands as indentured servants to cover serious labor shortages in various European colonies, such as Fiji, Australia and British Columbia, Canada. ... Species Ref: ITIS 42058 as of 2004-05-05 Sugarcane is one of six species of a tall tropical southeast Asian grass (Family Poaceae) having stout fibrous jointed stalks whose sap at one time was the primary source of sugar. ...

Smaller colonies also worried about the abolition of tariffs, which would deprive them of a large proportion of their revenue, and leave their commerce at the mercy of the larger states. New South Wales wanted to be satisfied that the federation's tariff policy would not be protectionist. Victorian Premier James Service described fiscal union as "the lion in the way" of federation. A further fundamental issue was how to distribute the excess customs duties from the central government to the states. For the larger colonies there was the possibility that they could be required to subsidise the struggling economies of Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        For other uses of this word, see tariff (disambiguation). ... James Service James Service (27 November 1823 – 12 April 1899), Australian colonial politician, was the 13th Premier of Victoria. ...

Furthermore, there was debate about the form of government that a federation would take. Experience of other federations was less than inspiring. In particular, the United States had experienced the traumatic American Civil War. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total...

The nascent Australian labour movement was mixed in its support for federation. On the one hand, nationalist sentiment was strong within the labour movement and there was much support for the idea of White Australia. On the other hand labour representatives feared that federation would distract attention from the need of social and industrial reform, and further entrench the power of the conservative forces. The federal conventions included no representatives of organised labour. The proposed federal constitution was criticised by labour representatives as being too conservative. They wanted to see a federal government with more power to legislate on issues such as wages and prices. They also regarded the proposed Senate as much too powerful, potentially a reactive chamber that would block attempts at social and political reform, much as the colonial upper houses were at that time. Eight-hour day banner, Melbourne, 1856 University of Melbourne site where Stonemasons won the 8 hour day in 1856 The history of the Australian labour movement reaches back to the 19th century and the movement has a long tradition of organised unions of workers and links to political activity. ... This badge from 1906 shows the use of the expression White Australia at that time The White Australia Policy, the policy of excluding all non white people from the Australian continent, was the official policy of all governments and all mainstream political parties in Australia from the 1890s to the... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Boeing employee speaks at an industrial relations rally The field of labor relations looks at the relationship between management and workers, particularly groups of workers represented by a labor union. ... Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. ...

Early constitutional conventions

In the early 1890s two meetings established the need for federation and set the framework for this to occur. An informal meeting attended by official representatives from the Australasian colonies was held in 1890. This led to the first National Australasian Convention, meeting in Sydney in 1891. New Zealand was represented at both the conference and the Convention, although there was no great likelihood that it would want to enter into the proposed federation. Year 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The 1890 conference

The 1890 conference was organised at the instigation of Sir Henry Parkes. The account of the calling of the 1890 conference usually begins with Lord Carrington, the Governor of New South Wales, goading the ageing Henry Parkes at a luncheon on 15 June 1889. Parkes reportedly boasted that he "could confederate these colonies in twelve months". Carrington retorted, "Then why don't you do it? It would be a glorious finish to your life."^[2] Parkes the next day wrote to the Victorian Premier, Duncan Gillies offering to advance the cause of federation. Gillies's response was predictably cool given the reluctance of Parkes to bring New South Wales into the Federal Council. In October Parkes travelled north to Brisbane and met with Sir Samuel Griffith and Sir Thomas McIlwraith. On the return journey, he stopped just south of the colonial border and delivered the historic Tenterfield Oration on 24 October 1889, stating that the time had come for the colonies to consider Australian federation. Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG (27 May 1815 – 27 April 1896) was an Australian politician, also called the Father of Federation. ... Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire, GCMG, PC (1843-1928) was a British Liberal politician and aristocrat. ... List of Governors of New South Wales See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... List of Premiers of Victoria Before the 1890s there was no formal party system in Victoria. ... Duncan Gillies Duncan Gillies (January 1834 – 12 September 1903), Australian colonial politician, was the 14th Premier of Victoria. ... Sir Samuel Griffith Sir Samuel Walker Griffith (June 21, 1845 - August 9, 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the principal author of the Constitution of Australia. ... Sir Thomas McIlwraith KCMG (1835-1900) was for many years the dominant figure of colonial politics in Queensland. ... The Tenterfield Oration was a speech given by Sir Henry Parkes at the Tenterfield School of Arts, New South Wales, Australia on 24 October 1889 advocating the Federation of the six Australian colonies, which were at the time self-governed but under the distant central authority of the British Colonial... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Through the latter part of 1889 the premiers and governors corresponded and agreed for an informal meeting to be called. The membership was: New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes (Premier) and William McMillan (Colonial Treasurer); Victoria, Duncan Gillies (Premier) and Alfred Deakin (Chief Secretary); Queensland, Sir Samuel Griffith (Leader of the Opposition) and John Macrossan (Colonial Secretary); South Australia, Dr John Cockburn (Premier) and Thomas Playford (Leader of the Opposition); Tasmania, Andrew Inglis Clark (Attorney-General) and Bolton Bird (Treasurer); Western Australia, Sir James George Lee Steere (Speaker); New Zealand, Captain William Russell (Colonial Secretary) and Sir John Hall. Sir William McMillan KCMG (14 November 1850 – 21 December 1926) was an Australian politician and businessman. ... Alfred William Deakin (3 August 1856 – 7 October 1919), Australian politician, was a leader of the movement for Australian federation and later second Prime Minister of Australia. ... Sir Samuel Griffith Sir Samuel Walker Griffith (June 21, 1845 - August 9, 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the principal author of the Constitution of Australia. ... John Murtagh Macrossan (1832-1891) was an Australian politician of the late 19th Century. ... Sir John Cockburn Dr. John Alexander Cockburn K.C.M.G. (23 August 1850 – 26 November 1929) was Premier of South Australia from June 27, 1889 until August 18, 1890. ... Thomas Playford II (26 November 1837 - 19 April 1915) served as Premier of South Australia from June 11, 1887 to June 26, 1889 and August 8, 1890 to June 20, 1892, as well as serving as the Australian Federal Minister for Defence from 1905 to 1907. ... Andrew Inglis Clark was born in Hobart, Tasmania on February 24, 1848, 5 years before the end of convict transportation to Tasmania. ... James George Lee-Steere (4 July 1830 – 1 December 1903), was a Western Australian politician and a prominent member of the six hungry families. ... There are many well-known people named William Russell: William Russell (bishop), Bishop of Sodor and Man from 1348 to 1374. ... Sir John Hall (c. ...

When the conference met at the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne on 6 February, the delegates were confronted with a scorching summer temperature of 39.7°C in the shade. The Conference debated whether or not the time was ripe to proceed with federation. Whilst some delegates agreed it was, the smaller states were not as enthusiastic. Thomas Playford from South Australia indicated the tariff question and lack of popular support as hurdles. Similarly, Sir James Lee Steere from Western Australia and the New Zealand delegates suggested there was lukewarm support for federation in their respective colonies. is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

A basic question at this early assembly was how to structure the federation within the Westminster tradition of government. The British North America Act 1867, which had confederated the Canadian provinces, provided a model with respect to the relations between the federation and the Crown. There was less enthusiasm, however, for the centralism of the Canadian Constitution, especially from the smaller states. From the 1890 conference the Canadian federal model was no longer considered appropriate for the Australian situation.^[3] The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, in London. ... The Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867, and still known informally as the BNA Act), constitutes a major part of Canadas Constitution. ... Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Regions Political culture Foreign relations Other countriesAtlas  Politics Portal      Canada is a federation which consists of ten provinces that, with three territories, make up the worlds second largest country in total area. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Centralization (or centralisation) is the process by which the activities of an organization, particularly those regarding decision-making, become concentrated within a particular location and/or group. ... The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada; the countrys constitution is an amalgam of codified acts and uncodified traditions and conventions. ...

Although the Swiss Federal Constitution provided another example, it was inevitable that the delegates should look to the Constitution of the United States as the other major model of a federation within the English-speaking world. It gave just a few powers to the federal government and left the majority of matters within the legislative competence of the States. It also provided that the Senate should consist of an equal number of members from each State while the Lower House should reflect the national distribution. Andrew Inglis Clark, a long-time admirer of American federal institutions, introduced the United States Constitution as an example of the protection of States' rights. He presented it as an alternative to the Canadian model, arguing that Canada was "an instance of amalgamation rather than federation."^[4] The introduction by Deakin of James Bryce's The American Commonwealth also had far-reaching influence.^[5] The Swiss Constitution (Bundesverfassung in German, Constitution fédérale in French, Constituzione federale in Italian and Constituziun federala in Romansh) is at the highest level of Switzerlands judicial system. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: The United States Constitution The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ... James Bryce, right, with Andrew Carnegie; Bryce served as a trustee of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce, OM, GCVO, FRS, PC (May 10, 1838 - January 22, 1922), was a British jurist, historian and politician. ...

The Melbourne conference ended with an agreement by the delegates that the time for federation had arrived.

The 1891 convention

The Parliament proposed at the 1891 Convention was to adopt the nomenclature of the United States Congress. This proposal provided the broad outline of federal government. The lower House was to be elected by districts drawn up on the basis of population, while in the Senate there was to be equal representation for each "province". This American model was mixed with the Westminster system by which the Prime Minister and other Ministers would be appointed by the representative of the Crown from among the members of the political party holding a majority in the lower House. This article is about the legislative institution. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, in London. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... A minister or a secretary is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. ... A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ...

Sir Samuel Griffith identified with great clarity at the Sydney Convention perhaps the greatest problem of all: how to structure the relationship between the lower and upper houses within the federal Parliament. The main division of opinion centred around the contention of Alfred Deakin, that the Lower House must be supreme, as against the views of Edmund Barton, John Cockburn and others, that a strong Senate with co-ordinate powers was essential. Griffith himself recommended that the doctrine of responsible government should be left open, or substantially modified to accord with the federal structure. Sir Samuel Griffith Sir Samuel Walker Griffith (June 21, 1845 - August 9, 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the principal author of the Constitution of Australia. ... Alfred William Deakin (3 August 1856 – 7 October 1919), Australian politician, was a leader of the movement for Australian federation and later second Prime Minister of Australia. ... Sir Edmund Barton, GCMG, QC (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the first Prime Minister of Australia and a founding justice of the High Court of Australia. ... Sir John Cockburn Dr. John Alexander Cockburn K.C.M.G. (23 August 1850 – 26 November 1929) was Premier of South Australia from June 27, 1889 until August 18, 1890. ...

Under the guidance of Griffith, a draft Constitution was produced. The document enumerated a substantial list of powers which would be given to the federal government, some derived from the British North America Act 1867, some from the US Constitution, some from the powers of the Federal Council of Australasia, among others. The importance of the 1891 draft Constitution was recognised by La Nauze when he declared that "The draft of 1891 is the Constitution of 1900, not its father or grandfather."^[6] The draft constitution was submitted to colonial parliaments but lapsed in New South Wales, after which the other colonies were unwilling to proceed.

Later constitutional conventions

The revival of the federal movement stemmed from the growth of federal leagues and nationalist organisations that were committed to federation, like the Australian Natives Association. There were two so-called People's Conventions held in Corowa and Bathurst. An Australian Natives Association banquet held in 1901 to honour Prime Minister Edmund Barton, following his return from the United Kingdom. ... Corowa (35°59′ S 146°23′ E) is a town in the state of New South Wales in Australia. ... Bathurst is a regional centre in the state of New South Wales, Australia approximately 200km west of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council Local Government Area. ...

In 1895 a proposal was accepted by the premiers of the Australian colonies to establish a new Convention by popular vote, with the resulting draft of the constitution being submitted to the electors of each colony in a referendum. The Convention held meetings over the course of a year, beginning first in Adelaide in 1897, later meeting in Sydney and culminating in Melbourne in March 1898. After the Adelaide meeting, the colonial Parliaments took the opportunity to debate the emerging Bill and to suggest changes. The basic principles discussed in 1891 were adopted, with the addition of the principle of responsible government. There was also a consensus for more democracy in the constitutional structure. It was agreed that the Senate should be chosen by popular vote with the voters in each State acting as one electorate. Year 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A referendum (plural referendums or referenda), ballot question, or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. ...

A draft bill was drawn up in 1898 and sent to each colony to be ratified by the electorate. Referendums were held in four colonies in June 1898. There were majorities in all four, however it failed because the Yes vote of 80,000 was not reached in New South Wales. In June 1899 the referendum was held again in all states except Western Australia, where the vote was not held until the following year. The vote was yes in all states. Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The Bill as accepted by the colonies went to Britain for ratification by the British Parliament. NSW redirects here. ... For other uses, see Queensland (disambiguation). ... For the song, see South Australia (song). ... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product... VIC redirects here. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person...

The Federal Constitution

One of the many arches made to celebrate Federation, the Citizens Arch - National Museum, Canberra

The Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Site of the first sitting of Federal parliament.

Main article: Constitution of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (UK) passed on 5 July 1900 and was given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria on 9 July 1900. On 1 January 1901 the Proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia was held in Centennial Park, Sydney. Sir Edmund Barton was sworn in as the interim Prime Minister, leading an interim Federal ministry of nine members. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1864x1067, 487 KB) Citizens Arch Panorama File links The following pages link to this file: Federation of Australia ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1864x1067, 487 KB) Citizens Arch Panorama File links The following pages link to this file: Federation of Australia ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1809x1206, 964 KB) Beschreibung straight version of Image:Royal_exhibition_building_tulips. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1809x1206, 964 KB) Beschreibung straight version of Image:Royal_exhibition_building_tulips. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Äž: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ... // The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which a constitutional monarch completes the legislative process of lawmaking by formally assenting to an Act of Parliament. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Äž: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Centennial Park is a large area of parkland in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Australia, set aside to celebrate the first 100 years of European settlement in Australia. ... The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. ...

The new constitution established a bicameral Parliament, containing a Senate and a House of Representatives. The office of Governor-General was established as the Queen's representative; initially, this person was considered a representative of the British government. The Constitution also established a High Court, and divided the powers of government between the states and the new Commonwealth government. In government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. ... This article is about the legislative institution. ... Type Upper house President Alan Ferguson, Liberal since 14 August 2007 Members 76 Political groups Coalition (39) ALP (28) Green (4) Democrat (4) FFP (1) Last elections 9 October 2004 Meeting place Parliament House, Canberra, ACT Web site Senate Entrance to the Senate Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State... Type Lower house Speaker of the House David Hawker, Liberal since November 16, 2004 Members 150 Political groups ALP (85) Liberal Party (53) National Party (10) Last elections 24 November 2007 Meeting place Parliament House, Canberra, ACT Web site House of Representatives Entrance to the House of Representatives Judicial High... The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... High Court entrance The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal in Australia, the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy. ...

The site of a federal capital was disputed heavily between the two arch-rivals Sydney and Melbourne; the compromise was that a separate territory (the Australian Capital Territory) would be established within New South Wales to hold a new capital, while parliament would sit in Melbourne until the new city was constructed. The site eventually chosen for the city would become Canberra. This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre (also known as The CBD). ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

Today Federation is still an important event in Australian History, and is taught in both Primary and Secondary schools throughout the country.

Landmarks named for Federation

The significance of Federation for Australia is such that a number of landmarks, natural and man made have been named for it. These include:

• Federation Peak
• Federation Square
• Federal Highway
• Federation Range
• Federation Creek

Federation Peak ([1]) is a mountain (elevation 1,224 metres) in Tasmania, Australia 90 km from Hobart. ... Federation Square (also colloquially known as Fed Square) is a cultural precinct in the city of Melbourne, Australia. ... Lake George in August 2005 with the Federal Highway on the left. ...

See also

• Government of Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• Secessionism in Western Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a federative constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... Secessionist How To Vote card, 1933 Secessionism has been a recurring feature of Western Australias political landscape since shortly after European settlement in 1829. ...

Notes

References

• La Nauze J, The Making of the Australian Constitution (Carlton: Melbourne University Press, 1972).
• McGrath F, The Framers of the Australian Constitution (Brighton-le-Sands: Frank McGrath, 2003).

Further reading

• Hunt, Lyall (editor) (2000)Towards Federation: Why Western Australia joined the Australian Federation in 1901 Nedlands, W.A. Royal Western Australian Historical Society ISBN 0909845034

External links

• Records of the Australasian Federal Conventions of the 1890s
• Federation Fast Facts
• Australian Federation Full Text Database - primary source material
• Why New Zealand Did Not Become an Australian State

v • d • e Politics of Australia Commonwealth Parliament · House of Representatives · Senate · High Court · Lower courts · Queen · Governor-General · Prime Minister · Cabinet · Executive Council · Ministry Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is the sixth-largest country in the world, the only country to occupy an entire continent, and the largest in the region of Australasia/Oceania. ... Type Bicameral Houses House of Representatives Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives David Hawker, Liberal Party since 16 November 2004 President of the Senate Alan Ferguson, Liberal Party since 14 August 2007 Members 226 (150 Representatives, 76 Senators) Political groups Liberal Party ALP National Party Country Liberal Party Greens... Type Lower house Speaker of the House David Hawker, Liberal since November 16, 2004 Members 150 Political groups ALP (85) Liberal Party (53) National Party (10) Last elections 24 November 2007 Meeting place Parliament House, Canberra, ACT Web site House of Representatives Entrance to the House of Representatives Judicial High... Type Upper house President Alan Ferguson, Liberal since 14 August 2007 Members 76 Political groups Coalition (39) ALP (28) Green (4) Democrat (4) FFP (1) Last elections 9 October 2004 Meeting place Parliament House, Canberra, ACT Web site Senate Entrance to the Senate Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State... High Court entrance The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal in Australia, the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy. ... Courtroom 1 in the High Court in Canberra. ... Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, in 1952 and 2002 The title Queen of Australia has existed since 1973, when the Parliament of Australia passed the Royal Style and Titles Act (1973). ... The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. ... Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard with his Cabinet in 1999 The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers, responsible to parliament. ... The Federal Executive Council is the formal body holding executive authority under the Australian Constitution. ... The current Commonwealth of Australia ministry is the Fourth Howard Ministry. ... Federal elections pre-1969 · 1969 · 1972 · 1974 · 1975 · 1977 · 1980 · 1983 · 1984 · 1987 · 1990 · 1993 · 1996 · 1998 · 2001 · 2004 · 2007 · next Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (922x693, 1523 KB) Summary Transparent copy of [1] Edited by Ansett 1means the typographical arrangement and layout of a published work. ... This article deals with elections to the Australian Parliament. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on October 25, 1969. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 2 December 1972. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 13 December 1975. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1977. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 October 1980. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 5 March 1983. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 1 December 1984. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 11 July 1987. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 24 March 1990. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 13 March 1993. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 2 March 1996. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 3 October 1998. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 November 2001. ... Federal elections were held in Australia on 9 October 2004. ... The 2007 election for the federal Parliament of Australia, in which 13. ... State/territory elections ACT (next election) · NSW (2007 election) · NT (2005 election) · QLD (2006 election) · SA (next election) · TAS (2006 election) · VIC (2006 election) · WA (2005 election) The states and territories of Australia make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ... The form of the Government of New South Wales is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. ... Elections for the 54th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday, 24 March 2007. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... A general election was held in the Northern Territory, Australia, on June 18, 2005. ... Queensland Government Logo The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the Queensland Government. ... An election was held in the Australian state of Queensland on 9 September 2006 to elect the 89 members of the states Legislative Assembly, after being announced by Premier Peter Beattie on 15 August 2006. ... The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. ... Tasmanian Coat of Arms featuring two Thylacines The form of the Government of Tasmania is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then. ... A general election for the House of Assembly (lower house) were held in the Australian state of Tasmania on 18 March 2006, the same day as the South Australian elections. ... The form of the Government of Victoria is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1855, although it has been amended many times since then. ... A general election for the 56th Parliament of Victoria took place on Saturday, 25 November 2006. ... The formation of the Government of Western Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1890, although it has been amended many times since then. ... A general election was held for parliamentary seats in the Australian state of Western Australia on Saturday 26 February 2005. ... Political parties Australian Democrats · Australian Greens · Australian Labor Party · Family First Party · Liberal Party of Australia · National Party of Australia · Micro-parties Political parties in Australia lists political parties in Australia. ... The Australian Democrats is an Australian political party which was formed in 1977 through a merger of the Australia Party and the Liberal Movement after principals of those minor parties secured the commitment of former Liberal minister Don Chipp as a high-profile leader[1]. The new party was based... The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is a Green Australian political party. ... ALP redirects here. ... The Family First Party is a political party in Australia. ... This article is about the modern Australian political party. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... Political parties in Australia lists political parties in Australia. ...