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The beginning
In January 1881, an inter-colonial conference was held in Sydney to discuss the particular issue of customs duties. Colonies such as New South Wales believed in free trade, whereas Victoria supported a 'protectionism policy' in which government taxes were imposed on goods imported from other colonies to encourage people to support local industry. -
The Federal Council
The British Parliament passed the Federal Council of Australasia Act 1885 (UK) on 14 August and after the colonies passed adopting acts, the Federal Council was formed. It was said that the absence of New South Wales, that was the most powerful colony at the time, had a severe and fatal impact on the Council which later disintegrated in 1889. -
Parkes and his 'Tenterfield Address
Realising the inadequacies of the Federal Council, Sir Henry Parkes made a second attempt at Federation. In his speech, Parkes highlighted the recent report by Major-General Sir J. Bevan Edwards which defined the need for the colonial forces to unite as one for the sake of the country's defence. -
Constitutional Conventions
With Parkes as its president, the National Australian Convention was convened at Parliament House in Sydney between March and April 1891. Delegates from each colony, and also from New Zealand, decided on the name the Commonwealth of Australia. This claim, however, has been disputed throughout history. Clarke's draft was influenced by the United States' constitution and a number of British acts, which would become the basis of the hybrid Australian system of government that exists today. -
Constitutional Conventions
The delegates were in a position to present a draft Constitution Bill to their parliaments, however, the idea of Federation quickly dissipated. It was also, in part, due to a number of colonies waiting to see if the idea had the full support of New South Wales, because of its previous absence from the Federal Council. -
Constitutional Conventions
Despite failing to reach fruition, the notion of Federation did not disappear from public attention altogether. This time, however, the Convention was to have delegates elected by the people from their colony and the constitution would also have to be approved by the public. -
Referenda
The 1898 referendum was held in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. The New South Wales parliament, however, had previously stipulated that it would not accept a majority in its colony unless there were in excess of 80 000 votes in favour of Federation. It was realised that for Federation to go ahead, the full support of New South Wales was required. -
Referenda
It was realised that for Federation to go ahead, the full support of New South Wales was required.A second round of Referenda was held in 1899 and the 'yes' majority was secured in all of the participating colonies: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.With over 107 000 'yes' votes for Federation in New South Wales, Queensland gave the vote to their own people who passed the Bill. -
British approval
As the colonies were still being ruled by Britain, for Federation to be established, legislation needed to be passed by the British Parliament. Sir Edmund Barton, Alfred Deakin (Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly) and Charles Cameron Kingston (Premier of South Australia) were just a few of the important delegates who traveled to London to ensure that the British Parliament passed the Constitution Bill. -
The Commonwealth of Australia
On 1 January 1901, what had been legally disparate colonies the previous day were now States of Australia. Celebrations were to be found all across the new nation. This was especially the case in Sydney's Centennial Park where the Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated by the Governor-General before the Barton Commonwealth Cabinet. -
The Commonwealth of Australia
The first Federal election was held on 9 March, with Barton remaining as Prime Minister. -
The Commonwealth of Australia
On 13 May 1901, the Australian Federal Parliament was officially opened in Melbourne. It was agreed that the Parliament House of Victoria would be used until the new Capital Territory of Australia was established and the Australian Parliament could be built there.