Leading to Federation By Charleszilla 1881 Inter colonial conference 1881 Sydney to Melbourne rail link Period: 1881 to Jan 1, 1901 Federation of Australia 1884 Germany annexed north-eastern New Guinea Aug 14, 1885 UK passes Australasian act 1889 Sir Henry Parkes made a federation speech 1890 The Australasian federation conference 1891 The draft constitution was drawn up 1893 A conference at Corowa discussing representatives 1895 The premiere conference in hobart 1896 convention debates draft constitution in Bathurst 1897 Another draft constitution is brought up 1898 Sydney and Melbourne agrees on final draft 1899 The referendums are held again 1900 The constitution is approved by British parliament 1901 Edmund Barton is the first prime minister
