Australia

Events leading up to Federation

By mmervyn
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    Federation Progress

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    All colonies receive a responsible government except WA

    Each of the colonies, except Western Australia, then achieve a government that is then responsible and accountable for keeping each of the colonies running.
  • Federation of Arms, Military and Train Gauges were recommended

    Major General J. Bevan Edwards, made a report about the needs of united defence in Australia and also a uniform gauge system for trains.
  • Sir Henry Parkes' Tenterfield Oration

    Sir Henry Parkes presented a speech to the colonial governments to form a federation and on the account of New South Wales, said that were ready to work with the other colonies to unite all 6 colonies.
  • Federal Council formed by the Pastoralists' Union

    Pastoralists from VIC, QLD, NSW and SA formed a federal council with equal numbers of members from the different colonies.
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    Australasian Convention is held in Sydney

    The Constitution was drafted in Sydney prior to federation
  • The Depression

    Due to several economical crises throughout Australia, many citizens' opinions towards federation were temporarily dissuaded.
  • The Queensland 'Elections Act'

    Queensland introduced the 'preferential voting' which later on in 1918 was also used by the other states and the federal parliment.
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    First session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Adelaide

    The first session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Adelaide to build up a federal constitution. Every other colony such as WA, NSW, VIC, SA attended the meeting except QLD.
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    The National Australasian Convention is held in Sydney to have the 2nd session

    The second session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Sydney, to put more plans in place towards federation.
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    The final session of the National Australasian Convention is then held in Melbourne

    The final session of the National Australasian Convention is then held in Melbourne. The representatives of the different states then drafted the Constitution