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The federation of Australia didn't just happen in 1901. The process began in 1860, and over the next forty-one years, many meetings, votes and changes to the constitution were required. So after all that, the dreams of a man called Sir Henry Parkes came true.
(Picture: Sir Henry Parkes) -
The first step in the federation of Australia was 1860, when there was not much federation at all. All of the laws were made in Briton, though Australia could decide on small things. At this time, there were six seperate colinies.
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The next step was in 1890. Now the colinies could elect their own government, but the big decisions were STILL made in Briton. Some people began talking about Australia being federated, which means to join together and become one nation.
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The third step to Australian federation was in 1891 when each of the colinies except Queensland sent seven people each to meetings about the federation of Australia. There, they began to write the constitution, which is the book of rules.
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The 4th step was in 1893. This was when the 35 people that went to the meetings thought that Australia votes for federation if they want it.
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The next step to federation was four to five years later, when Australia voted. The vote failed though, because WA,NSW and QLD didn't vote yes. Then, the thirty-five people plus QLD, made more changes to the constitution.
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This was the 6th step towards federation.More changes were made to the constitution, then Australia voted again, this time successfully, with only WA failing to agree.
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The second last step to federation in Australia was in 1900, when a party of people travelled to London to ask the Queen if Australia could federate. She agreed they should. Then Western Australia had a gold rush. They voted to be a part of federation.
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This was when the first Govener General, Lord Hopetoun, announced that six states were federated.
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This was when the first parliment opened
