Federation of Australia

By WiltedCorn

  • Sydney to Melbourne rail link

    The rail link conjoining Sydney and Melbourne was created. This would have helped encourage trade between the two colonies thus improving their friendship.
  • Period: to

    Federation of Australia

  • Germany annexes New Guinea

    In 1884 Germany annexed (took control of) north eastern New Guinea. This allowed them to have a clear trade route to Australia. This event put the colonists on edge, worrying that perhaps Germany would then focus their powers on taking over Australia. They concluded that a combined defence force would better prepare and protect them from the treat of invasion.

  • Sir Henry Parkes reads his famous oration, putting forth the idea of federation

    Sir Henry Parkes (often referred to as the father of federation) made a speech promoting the benefits of federation in Tenterfield New South Whales, this aroused the peoples' interest and led up to the constitution being written.

  • Australasian Federation Conference

    In 1890 the members of the Australasian Federation Conference met in Melbourne and came to the conclusion that " The interests and prosperity of the Australian colonies would be served by an early union under the crown." They then decided upon calling a Constitutional Convention in the following year.

  • The Draft Constitution

    10 years after federation became a popular ideal for many Australian colonies a draft constitution was drawn up at the National Australasian Convention in Sydney by Sir Samuel Griffith and Mr Andrew Inglis Clark. The draft constitution contained many laws and guidelines including the powers and authority of the Australian Parliament.

  • The Constitution is Discussed

    2 years after the draft constitution was written, a conference was held at Corowa, New South Wales calling for elected representatives from all the colonies including New Zealand to meet in order to discuss the constitution and it's contents.

  • Premiers Agree to Proposal

    The Premier's Conference in Hobart agrees with the proposal suggested by the conference at Corowa - for elected representatives to meet, discuss and improve the laws and agreements of the constitution. In addition a severe drought grips a large portion of Australia forcing the colonies to trade supplies in order to prevent starvation. Thus improving relations between the separate settlements.

  • Debating the Constitution

    In 1896 a People's Convention was held in Bathurst, New South Wales. This allowed for the general public to gather, let their voices be heard and express their vast expanse of opinions on the draft constitution. The conference started in the early morning and the debates went well into the night.

  • The Second Draft Constitution