Federation Timeline

By aegan2

  • Eureka Rebellion

    The rebellion came because the goldfield workers opposed the government miners' licenses. The licenses were an easy way for the government to tax the diggers.

  • Colonies Unite : 24 October 1889

    Sir Henry Parkes urges colonies to Federate. He made a speech at Tenterfield in which he told all colonial governments to unite and create a nationwide Government for Australia.

  • South Australian women can vote

    South Australia became the first colony to have the right to vote and also stand for parliament

  • 8405 people short in vote

    'Yes' vote on the ballot in the Constitution of Victoria and Tasmania. New South Wales voted, but the Yes vote was 8405 people short of the 80 00 people needed. Aboriginal men could vote in each colony.

  • SA vote yes

    'Yes' vote in SA. Aboriginal men and women could also vote.
  • Period: to

    Premiers hold secret conference

    The Premiers of Australia held a secret conference in Melbourne. All premiers agreed to change the Constitution Bill, and they also made other decisions.

  • Women can vote in WA

    Women gained right to vote for parliament in WA. Western Australian women were one of the first people in the world to receive the right to vote. In August 1899 both Houses of the parliament agreed to let women vote.

  • Queen Victoria federated all six colonies

    Queen Victoria federated all six separate British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Proclamation and Letters Patent and Commission of the governor-general were readout and the nine members of the interim federal ministry were sworn in with Edmund Barton as prime minister.

  • Queen Victoria's death

    Queen Victoria died and her son Edward VII took over.

  • Duke of York held first federal parliament

    The Duke of York opened the first federal parliament in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne. The Federal parliament met in Melbourne's parliament House until 1927.

  • First Australian Census

    The government arranged the first Australian census that was held as part of the general large census. Australia's population was 2,250,194. Australia's national flag was flown for the first time in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. 32'823 people entered the competition to design the flag.