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National Australiasian Convention
First session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Adelaide to work towards a Federal Constitution. All colonies except Queensland attended. -
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Federation Timeline
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Second Session is held
Second session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Sydney. -
Third and final session
Third and final session of the National Australasian Convention is held in Melbourne. Delegates agree on a draft Constitution. -
OSecret Premiers Conference
The Premiers of all the six colonies meet in Melbourne to discuss changes to the proposed Constitution. Because it is a private meeting, it is called the ÔSecret Premiers' Conference. The meeting agrees to some changes to meet the concerns of Queensland and New South Wales. It also decides to have a federal capital in New South Wales but not within 100 miles of Sydney. -
The South Australian referendum about Federation is won.
The South Australian referendum about Federation is won. -
The New South Wales referendum is won
The New South Wales referendum is won -
The Victorian and Tasmanian referendums are won.
The Victorian and Tasmanian referendums are won. -
The Queensland referendum is won.
The Queensland referendum is won. -
The Constitution Bill is passed in Queensland
he Constitution Bill is passed in Queensland -
Constitution Bill
Australian delegates are invited to London to negotiate the enactment in Britain of the Constitution Bill. -
The Commonwealth of Australia is proclaimed.
The Commonwealth of Australia is proclaimed in Centennial Park, Sydney. Edmund Barton is sworn in as first Prime Minister. -
State Premiers Conference
A conference of State Premiers is held in Melbourne to support the delegates in London. The meeting confirms that the delegates' mission is to have the Constitution Bill passed in London in the form voted for by the Australian people -
Commonwealth Bill
The Commonwealth Bill is introduced into the House of Commons in London. -
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act is passed by the British Parliament. -
Queen Victoria gives royal assent to the Act.
Queen Victoria gives royal assent to the Act. -
The Western Australian referendum is won.
The Western Australian referendum is won. -
Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia.
Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia, comprising all six colonies, will come into existence on 1 January 1901. -
Lord Hopetoun is appointed first Governor-General of Australia.
Lord Hopetoun is appointed first Governor-General of Australia. -
Queen Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII.
Queen Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII. -
The Commonwealth Government takes control of a wide range of functions
The Commonwealth Government takes control of a wide range of functions formerly exercised by the colonies, including military forces, postal and customs departments and immigration. The Commonwealth's constitutional powers include the power to legislate about trade with other countries and among the States; taxation, customs and excise; defence; banking; currency and coins; weights and measures; postal, telegraphic and telephonic services; railways; conciliation and arbitration; census and stati -
The first federal election is held.
The first federal election is held. Adult men are allowed to vote in all States, but Aborigines and women can vote in some States only. -
A census shows that the population of Australia is 3,773,801
A census shows that the population of Australia is 3,773,801. Aborigines were not counted. -
The first Federal Parliament is opened
The first Federal Parliament is opened by the Duke of York (later George V) at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Federal Parliament is to meet in Melbourne until 1927 when the capital moves to Canberra. -
Australia's new national flag is flown for the first time.
Australia's new national flag is flown for the first time. There were 32,823 entries in the competition for its design.