|
1846
|
First recorded suggestion of the
need to establish a federal authority to
govern Australia
|
|
1851
|
Victoria separates from NSW to form
its own colonial government.
|
|
1859
|
Queensland separates from NSW to
form its own colonial government.
|
|
1871
|
The Australian Natives Association
(ANA), a popular movement of
Australian-born, white men is established
in Melbourne. The ANA
and, later, the Australasian Federation
League were founded to promote the vision
of one united Australia.
|
|
1877
|
A combined NSW and Victoria cricket
team defeats England in the first cricket
test played in Australia. The concept of a
nationally representative cricket team is
established.
|
|
1883
|
The Federal Council of Australasia
is formed. This
Council of colonial governments, including
New Zealand and Pacific membership, was
shunned by NSW and South
Australia.
|
|
Oct 9 1889
|
Report suggests that colonies should
federate for defense reasons.
|
|
Oct 24 1889
|
In the Tenterfield Oration, Sir
Henry Parkes (NSW Premier) proclaims that
the time for federation has
arrived.
|
|
1890
|
Australasian Federal Conference;
Melbourne delegates decide to call a
Constitutional Convention to discuss and
draft a constitution for a federal system
of government.
|
|
1891
|
National Australasian Convention,
Sydney. Parliamentary delegates agree to
adopt the name Commonwealth of Australia
and a draft constitution is written aboard
the steamboat, Lucinda, on the
Hawkesbury River. This
draft provides the basis for al future
redrafting. Australians now have a draft
constitution but it is not adopted by the
colonial parliaments. Progress towards
federation is stalled by the colonies'
concerns about their own status within a
federation. Popular support for federation
leads to the formation of the Australasian
Federation Leagues, and its people who
continue the push for
federation.
|
|
1893
|
Corrowa Conference; the first of the
"peoples conventions" convened by the
Australasian Federation League endorses Dr
John Quick's plan for practical measures
to break legislative impasse by electing a
new convention.
|
|
1895
|
"Hobart Understanding of the
Premiers": Most Premiers approved a draft
Enabling Bill based on Quick's
plan.
|
|
1896
|
Enabling acts are passed in SA, NSW,
Tas and Vic. These
prepare the way for the popular election
of delegates to a national convention to
draft a constitution.
|
|
1896
|
The Peoples Federal Convention in
Bathurst spurs popular interest in
electing delegates to the national
convention.
|
|
1897
|
Elections are held in the colonies
to select delegates to the National
Australasian (Constitutional)
Convention.
Delegates meet in Adelaide and then
in Sydney before they agree on a federal
constitution to be put to the people of
the colonies in referenda.
|
|
1898
|
Delegates to the National
Australasian (Constitutional) Convention
meet for the third session in Melbourne. Delegates agree to
revise and amend the draft
constitution.
|
|
Mar 16 1898
|
Delegates to the National
Australasian (Constitutional) Convention
adopt the amended draft Constitution Bill. The Bill would be
lodged for enactment by the British
Parliament, if supported by the people in
referenda.
|
|
1898
|
Referenda are held. Tasmania, South
Australia and Victoria return Yes votes in
favour of adopting the new federal
constitution.
NSW fails to attract
the minimum number of Yes votes
and the Bill is not
carried.
|
|
Jan 1899
|
Premiers' Conference, Melbourne;
Premiers agree to amend the Federal
Constitution Bill to meet the concerns of
Qld and NSW. All
colonies (except WA) support the Bill and
agree to sponsor its enactment in the
British Parliament.
|
|
April-
Sept 1899
|
Yes votes carried in referenda in
NSW, Vic, SA, Tas and Qld.
|
|
Mar-July
1900
|
Australian delegates in London
negotiate the passage of the Federal
Constitution Bill through the British
Parliament and then witness Queen Victoria
signing the documents and granting Royal
Assent.
The proclamation is made that the
Commonwealth of Australia will come into
being on January 1, 1901.
|
|
July 1900
|
WA votes to join the Federation of
Australian States and is added to the
Royal Assent documents after the Queen as
already signed them.
|
|
Jan 1 1901
|
Lord Hopetoun, the first
Governor-General, proclaims the
Commonwealth of Australia at a ceremony in
Centennial Park, Sydney. The interim
Federal Ministry is sworn in with Sir
Edmund Barton as Prime Minister. The ceremony takes
place before a crowd of 250,000
people.
|
|
1901
|
Customs duties payable on products
moving between States are eliminated,
boosting Australian manufacturing.
|
|
1901
|
William Farrer releases his
Federation strain of rust-resistant
wheat.
|
|
May 9 1901
|
Duke of York opens Australia's first
Federal Parliament in its temporary home
in Melbourne.
|
For
Teachers
