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The First Fleet.
The British settle and colonies in australia. Australia has 6 Colonies. -
There are still 6 British colonies in Australia.
The six British colonies are called Western Australia, New south Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia -
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Still 6 colonies
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People in the 6 different colonies start to talk about federating to become one nation instead of 6 small colonies.
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A meeting is held to discuss federation.
Each colony sends 7 people. They started to write a constitution. -
The federation groups decide that the people should vote on whether they federate or not
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Meetings discuss the draft constitution and make a new draft.
People in all the colonies vote on the constitution except Queensland and Western Australia because they were much smaller than the other colonies also New South Wales does not agree to what was written and the vote fails. -
The premiers meet to discuss the things that worried those three colonies, and changes are made to the Constitution.
One change is that there would be a new capital city built between Sydney and Melbourne, because both thought they should be the capital city. People in all colonies except Western Australia vote for the new Constitution, and this time it is a success. -
The British Parliament passes the law for federation
It is signed by Queen Victoria in July and states that on the 1st January 1901 Australia wil become a Nation also Western Australia has a Gold Rush causing them to change their mind and agree to the federation. -
Australia is officially Federated
The first Governor General, Lord Hopetoun, officially declares that there were now six states forming the Commonwealth of Australia.
The first parliament is opened in Melbourne on the 9th May. -
Most men and women over 21 are allowed to vote at federal elections
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Women over 21 are now given the right to vote in New South Wales.
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Women over 21 were given the right to vote in Tasmania.
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Women over 21 are now given the right to vote in Queensland.
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Women over 21 were given the right to vote in Victoria.
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Aboriginals can vote.
Compulsory enrolment and voting for Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders introduced. -
Present day
Australia is a Great and Functioning Nation with an excellent government system.
