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6 Self-Governing Colonies
Before 1889, Australia was made up of six British colonies. These colonies were partly self-governing but still under the law-making power of the British Parliament. -
Tenterfield Oration
Henry Parkes, then colonial secretary of NSW, delivers a speech at Tenterfield, NSW, calling for all the colonies to 'federate', meaning to unite. this speech went on to be known at the "Tenterfield Oration". Sir Henry Parkes later became known 'The Father Of Federation'. -
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Path to Federation
Before 1889 Australia was made up by 6 colonies. -
Australasian Ferderation Convention
A delegation is called to the Australasian Federation Convention in Melbourne. It is decided Australia will follow the British parliamentary system and use the United States constitution as an example -
First Consitututional Convention
A constitutional convention is held in Sydney. The first draft of the constitution is written and approved. In the meantime, the country goes through an economic depression between 1891-1894, colonial parliaments lose interest in a federation. -
Corowa Plan
Meeting held in Corowa, NSW. Sir John Quick, a journalist and Victorian politician, proposes a new draft constitution to be written by the elected colony representatives and that the public should vote on the draft. Quick's ideas became known as the 'Corowa Plan'
