Federation in Australia

Idea of Federation

Jan 1, 1889

In 1889, Sir Henery Parkes urges the 6 colonies to federate.

First Australasian Convention

Jan 1, 1891

The first National Australasian convention is held in Sydney to decide if they should federate. 7 representatives were sent from each colony. They decided on a set of rules about how the nation's parliament will work.

Parliament lost interest in federation

Period: Apr 17, 1891 to Apr 17, 1894

Due to economical crisis the parliament was sidetrackted and lost interest in federation.

Another conference to urge colonial parliaments to federate

Apr 17, 1893

A people's conference in Corowa, New South Wales, urges the colonial parliaments to hold a new convention to decide on a draft constitution.

The second National Australasian Convention

Apr 17, 1897

Another convention was held in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne but Western Australia and Queensland did not attend because they did not agree on the idea of federation. New South Wales also disagreed. Therefore, the vote failed.

Referendums were held to decide to federate

Jan 1, 1898

Referendums are held in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania to approve the constitution. It was agreed by every colony except NSW.

Citizens of Australia were allowed to vote

Jun 4, 1898

Voters were given a say in the matter. Referenda were held in each of the colonies and voters (which by this time included women and Aboriginal men in some places) voted for or against federation.

The six colonies federate as Australia

Jan 1, 1901

The first Governor General, Lord Hopetoun, officially declared that there were now six states forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Edmund Barton, the leader of the NSW parliament became prime minister on the 1st of January 1901

First national parliament

May 9, 1901

The first parliament was opened in Melbourne on 9th May.