Australia

Timeline to Federation

  • Sir Henry Parkes Speech

    Sir Henry Parkes Speech
    Sir Henry Parkes, gives a speech in Tenterfield in 1889 that begins public debate about the possibility of federation
  • 1890 Conference

    1890 Conference
    In 1890 a conference in Melbourne agrees that a draft Australian Constitution should be written
  • Period: to

    Date

  • Draw-up of the Constitution

    Draw-up of the Constitution
    A conference to draw up the new constitution is held in Sydney
  • Final Touches to Constitution

    Final Touches to Constitution
    The final touches to Australia's first federal constitution are completed in Easter
  • Economic Recession

    Economic Recession
    A severe economic recession hits the colonies during 1892 to 1893
  • Corowa Conference

    Corowa Conference
    A conference in the town of Corowa in 1893 revives the federation movement with a proposal that the people should elect delegates who would decide the best model of government
  • Meeting In Hobart

    Meeting In Hobart
    In early 1895 all colonial premiers meet in Hobart and agree that the resolution from the Corowa conference should proceed
  • National Australiasian Convention

    National Australiasian Convention
    In 1897 the people of NSW , VIC, TAS, SA elect delegates to attend the National Australiasian
  • Helen Spence Campaigns

    Helen Spence Campaigns
    Helen Spence campaigns in the 1897 elections to become a delegate for SA. In doing so, she becomes the first woman in the British Empire to run for political office
  • Adelaide Meeting

    Adelaide Meeting
    In March-April 1897 the National Australiasian Convention meets in Adelaide and decides on the best model for the new federal government
  • 1st Referndum

    1st Referndum
    The people of NSW, VIC, TAS, SA vote in a referendum in 1898 to ecide if they agree with the model of governmentchosen by the national Australiasian Convention
  • 2nd Referendum

    2nd Referendum
    A second referendum is nessarsary and is held in NSW, VIC, SA, QLD during 1899
  • Queen Victoria Agrees to Constitution

    Queen Victoria Agrees to Constitution
    Queen Victoria agrees to the new constitution in 1900 and WA decides to join the federation.
  • Federation

    Federation
    Federation between all colonies is declared on the 1st January 1901