Timeline to Federation

  • Sir Henrey Parks, the Premier of NSW, gives a speech in Tenterfield in 1889 that begins public debate about possibility of Federation

  • Period: to

    1889-1901

  • A conference to draw up the new consititution is held in Sydney

  • The final touches to Australia's first federal constitution are completed

  • The people of NSW, VIC, TAS and SA elect delegates to attend the National Australiasian Convention

  • The people of NSW, VIC, TAS and SA vote in a referendum to decide if they agree with the model of government chosen by the National Australasian Convention

  • A second referendum is necessary and it is held in NSW, VIC, TAS, SA and QLD

  • Queen Victoria agrees to the new constitution and WA decides to join the fereration

  • Federation between all colonies is declared on the first of January