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.