Events in Federation

By gmills4
  • 26 January 1886

    On the 26 of January the federal council of Australasia met for the first time. The federal council of Australasia first met in Hobart.
  • 24th October 1889

    24th October 1889
    24th October 1889 Sir Henry Parkes urges colonies to Federate. He made a speech at Tenterfield in which he urged all colonial governments to unite and create a National Government for Australia.
  • 6-14 February 1890

    On 6-14 February 1890 the Australasian federation conference was held. In the conference there was an agreement that a convention was to be held to discuss about the federal constitution of Australia.
  • March/April 1891

    The first Australasian Convention was held in Sydney. There were seven representatives from each colony and three from New Zealand that agreed to the name 'Commonwealth of Australia' as they drafted a constitution. Sir Henry Parkes spoke about 'one people one destiny'. The conference took in the constitution on the 9th April.
  • 1892

    During the 1890s depression the Victorian banks and property collapsed making the economy difficult in eastern Australia. This economic depression happened in every colony except for Western Australia. All of the banks closed, British investment dried up and immigration in Australia had come to a stop. As a result of the great depression people lost interest in federation because they were worrying about the economic situation. The AFL and ANA kept the idea of federation in Australia alive.
  • 31 July- 1 August 1893

    A people's conference was held in Corowa, New South Wales. Delegates from the ANA and the AFL to support John Quick's motion to require all parliament to legislate for an election for representatives to decide on a draft constitution.
  • January 1895

    A special premier's conference was arranged by the AFL of Victoria, in Melbourne town hall. In the conference the premiers agreed that a new federation convention should be held.
  • 17-21 November 1896

    In 1896 was when a second people's conference was held. This conference was held in Bathurst, New South Wales, the conference was organized by the AFL. From this people's conference it was decided that another federation convention needed to be held
  • 22 March - 23 April 1897

    Delegates from five colonies, excluding Queensland, attended first session of the National Australasian convention which was held in Adelaide. Edmund Barton was elected as leader of the Convention. The delegates put together a Constitution 'under the crown' and as a bill for enactment by the British parliament.
  • 3 May 1897

    On the 3 of May was when the federation league of southern Tasmania was formed, this league was know as 'The Federalist'.
  • 29 January -2 February 1899

    On 29 January to 2 February 1899 the premiers held a 'secret' conference in Melbourne. Queensland attended for the first time since 1895. During the conference they agreed to change several things about the Constitution of Australia.
  • March 1900

    In March 1900 a delegation travels to London to present the Constitution to the British Parliament.
  • 5 July 1900

    On 5 July 1900 the British parliament passes the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
  • 9 July 1900

    On 9 July 1900 Queen Victoria signs the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act.
  • 1 January 1901

    1 January 1901
    On 1 January 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed in Centennial Park in Sydney. Edmund Barton was named as prime minister.
  • 29 - 30 March 1901

    On 29 and 30 March 1901 the first Commonwealth elections were held.
  • 9 May 1901

    On the 9 May 1901 the Duke of York and Cornwall opened the first parliament of the Australian Commonwealth. The opening was held in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne.