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First Session Of National Australasian Convention
The first session of the national Australasian Convention was held in adelaide to work towards a Federal Constitution.All states came to the convention accept for Queensland -
Second Session of the National Australasian Convention
The second session of the national Australasian Convention was held in Sydney and Queensland came to the Convention. -
Third and Final Session of National Australasian Convention
The third and final session of National Australasian Convention that was held in Melbourne. -
The Premiers of all the six colonies meet in Melbourne
The meeting was held to discuss changes to the proposed Constitution. Because it is a private meeting, it is called the ÔSecret Premiers' Conference. The meeting agrees to some changes to meet the concerns of Queensland and New South Wales. It also decides to have a federal capital in New South Wales but not within 100 miles of Sydney. -
The South Australian referendum about Federation is won.
The South Australian referendum about Federation is won. -
The New South Wales referendum is won.
The New South Wales referendum is won. -
The Victorian and Tasmanian referendums are won.
The Victorian and Tasmanian referendums are won. -
The Queensland referendum is won.
The Queensland referendum is won. -
The Constitution Bill is passed in Queensland.
The Constitution Bill is passed in Queensland. -
Australian delegates are invited to London to negotiate the enactment in Britain of the Constitution Bill.
Australian delegates are invited to London to negotiate the enactment in Britain of the Constitution Bill. -
The first delegates' meeting is held in London
The first delegates' meeting is held in London. -
A conference of State Premiers
A conference of State Premiers is held in Melbourne to support the delegates in London. The meeting confirms that the delegates' mission is to have the Constitution Bill passed in London in the form voted for by the Australian people. -
The Commonwealth Bill
The Commonwealth Bill is introduced into the House of Commons in London. -
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act is passed by the British Parliament. -
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria gives royal assent to the Act. -
The Western Australian referendum is won.
The Western Australian referendum is won. -
Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia
Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia, comprising all six colonies, will come into existence on 1 January 1901. -
Lord Hopetoun
Lord Hopetoun is appointed first Governor-General of Australia. -
Common Wealth
The Commonwealth of Australia is proclaimed in Centennial Park, Sydney. Edmund Barton is sworn in as first Prime Minister. -
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII. -
Commonwealth Government
The Commonwealth Government takes control of a wide range of functions formerly exercised by the colonies, including military forces, postal and customs departments and immigration. The Commonwealth's constitutional powers include the power to legislate about trade with other countries and among the States; taxation, customs and excise; defence; banking; currency and coins; weights and measures; postal, telegraphic and telephonic services; railways; conciliation and arbitration; census and stati -
First federal election
The first federal election is held. Adult men are allowed to vote in all States, but Aborigines and women can vote in some States only. -
Population
A census shows that the population of Australia is 3,773,801. Aborigines were not counted. -
First Federal Parliment
The first Federal Parliament is opened by the Duke of York (later George V) at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Federal Parliament is to meet in Melbourne until 1927 when the capital moves to Canberra. -
New Flag
Australia's new national flag is flown for the first time. There were 32,823 entries in the competition for its design.
