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Time Line of Federation
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Federation of Australia
There were many different events that occurred during the lead up to the federation of Australia in 1901. Before the federation of Australia, the country was separated into 6 different colonies. New South Wales governed by Lord Carrington, Queensland Governed by Sir Samuel Griffith. There was also Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. All of these colonies had their own defence forces, immigration laws, trades, style of transport and they all ruled independantly. -
Federation of Australia (Pt 2)
Many people didn’t like the idea of federation because they thought it would be very expensive but, federation could also protect them with one big defence force. -
The Announcment
In 1889, the premier of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parks announced it was time to make Australia one. Many people did not agree to this idea. -
Another Hope to Federation
In 1891 a convention was held to write a federal constitution. When the letter was sent to the colonial parliament, New South Wales was losing the interest of federating. Without the biggest colony on board the federation could not proceed. -
John Quick
In 1893 another conference was held on the Murray River in Corowa. Politicians from NSW and Victoria, Business representatives from Melbourne and people from Victoria Branches all came to the convention and all wanted federation. A lawyer from Bendigo named John Quick suggested that the whole federation process started again. So, they wrote another letter to the Conference to federate and was enthusiastically accepted. -
Gathering of Colonial Premieres
Two years later in 1895 there was a meeting held in Hobart for Colonial Premieres. John Quicks scheme was accepted by all of the colonies except for Queensland and Western Australia. The parliament of Western Australia agreed to elect delegates to a convention. Later on, Queensland could not agree and did not attend the convention at all. -
The Final Yes
In 1897, delegates were chosen to attend conventions to bring up constitution. The three conventions were held in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. People in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania voted twice. At the first stage of federation all of these four colonies voted yes but, NSW was not satisfied with the amount of votes. Some changes were made and the votes were taken again. Once the process started again there was a big increase in the amount of yeses. Read on in Pt 2 -
The Final Yes Pt 2
The votes were high enough to make voters in QLD and WA vote as well. -
Finally One
In 1901 on the 1st of January the Commonwealth of Australia became one united country in Centenial Park Sydney -
Conclusion
As you can see from the timeline there were many events in the lead up to the federation. As a result of federation and Henry Parks idea, Australia has become on nation, we also enjoy one united army, free trade and same laws. -
Extension (Against Fed)
Before federation people knew it was about time to federate but, some people didn’t want to federate. They didn’t want to federate as they thought it wold be extremely expensive to set up and run the new Central Parliament therefore, increasing the value of taxes. People didn’t trust the other States and had negative feelings about them. People were also scared tha -
Extension (For Fed)
However, people that were for the idea of federating thought it would be great. These people believed that the federation of Australia could enforce laws to keep non-white people out of Australia and it would help keep Australia safe because there would be one large army rather than six. They also argued that having one Federal Government could control the trading and railway problems. -
Extension (Con)
I don’t believe that all of this arguing was necessary as Australia turned out to be on safe, peaceful and fortunate country.
