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Australian Federation Timeline

  • Henry Parks promotes Federation

    Henry Parks promotes Federation in his newspaper 'the Empire'
  • Queensland annexed New Guinea

    Queensland annexed New Guinea
    Proposal to establish Federal Council formalised by Premiers
  • Sudan Contingent

    Sudan Contingent
    An Act to Constitute the Federal Council of Australasia passed by British Parliament
  • Defence Of Australian Colonies

    Major-General Sir J. Bevan Edwards reported on the defence of the Australian Colonies
    24 October Sir Henry Parkes made a speech at Tenterfield calling for 'a great national government for all Australia'
  • Melbourne Conference

    Melbourne conference held to discuss the National Convention
  • 1st National Australasian Convention

    The First National Australasian Convention held in Sydney
  • Barton & Federation Lee

    Sir Edmund Barton sets up a Federation Lee (club)
  • Premiers Conference

    Premiers Conference in Hobart agreed to a second Constitutional Convention with elected delegates from each colony
  • Sir Henry Parkes Dies

    27 April Death of Sir Henry Parkes
    November People's Federal Convention held in Bathurst
  • National Australasian Conventions

    22 March-23 April First Session 2–24 September, Second Session of The Second National Australasian Convention held
  • The Votes

    24-27 January Last meeting of the Federal Council of Australasia held
    29 January-2 February 'Secret' Premiers meeting in Melbourne agreed to six amendments to the Constitution Bill including that the site of the Capital be in New South Wales, but not within 100 miles of Sydney
    April-September New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania & Queensland voted 'Yes' in referenda. Only Western Australia refrained
    War in South Africa began (Boer War)
  • Last Meeting Of Federal Council

    24-27 January Last meeting of the Federal Council of Australasia held
    29 January-2 February 'Secret' Premiers meeting in Melbourne agreed to six amendments to the Constitution Bill including that the site of the Capital be in New South Wales, but not within 100 miles of Sydney
    April-September New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania & Queensland voted 'Yes' in referenda. Only Western Australia refrained
    War in South Africa began (Boer War)
  • Commonwealth Of Australia

    1 January The Commonwealth of Australia is proclaimed and inauguration ceremonies are held at Centennial Park, Sydney with the swearing-in of the Governor-General and interim federal ministry
    22 January Death of Queen Victoria
    29 March First federal elections held. Edmund Barton confirmed as first Prime Minister
    31 March Census held in all States
    9 May The first Commonwealth Parliament opened by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) in Melbourne
    December First Commonwealth troops e
  • The Corowa Convention

    Corowa Convention was held