Timeline to federation

By Mr Toop
  • 1850

    1850

    Sir Henry Parkes promotes Federation in his newspaper

  • 1885

    Federal council established
  • 1889

    1889

    NSW premier Henry Parkes’ Tenterfield speech - calls for federation

  • 1890

    Australasia Federation Conference
  • 1891

    1891

    National Australasian Convention, Sydney - agrees a draft of constitution. Adopts name of Commonwealth of Australia

  • 1893

    Formation of the Australasian Federation League in New South Wales
  • 1895

    1895

    Premiers meet in Hobart - agree to the Corowa conference approach for achieving Federation.

  • 1896

    Second ‘peoples conference’ in Bathurst
  • 1897

    1897

    Second session of the national convention

  • 1899

    Secret premiers’ conference. All conference except Western Australia vote Yes.
  • 1900

    1900

    British parliament passes commonwealth of Australia constitution act Vote in Western Australia for federation

  • 1901

    Proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia- 1 January First federal election - three main parties which ran candidates were protectionists, free traders and labor Opening of the first parliament