Timeline of federation

  • Start

    Start
    Henry Parkes promotes federation in his newspaper
  • Federal council was established

    An attempt to have joint action on matters affecting all the colonies in common: New South Wales refuses to join
  • Henry Parkes speech

    NSW premier Henry Parkes Tenterfield speech calls for federation
  • Australasia federation conference

    Adopts a resolution in favour of the union of colonies
  • National Australialasia conversation

    Sydney-agrees to draft a constitution. Adopts name of commonwealth of Australia. Constitution drafted by Andrew Inglis Clark (Tasmania). Draft constitution amended aboard Queensland government boat Lucinda by Charles Cameron kingston (SA), Samuel Griffith (QLD), Edmund barton (NSW), Andrew Inglis Clark (TAS)
  • Edmund Barton tours the Riverina area

    Edmund Barton tours the Riverina area
    Edmund Barton tours the Riverina area, setting up federation leagues
  • Formation of the Australian federation league in NSW

    “People’s convention” in Corowa (NSW)-accepts the idea that people are to vote for delegates to the next convention to consider the constitution.
  • Premiers meet in Hobart

    Premiers meet in Hobart
    Agree to the Corowa conference approach of achieving federation
  • Second “people’s conference” in Bathurst (NSW)

    Debated 1891 draft and suggested key changes to the senate
  • Second session of the national Australialasia convention in Sydney

    Revises draft constitution
  • Referendum vote

    Yes vote in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and NSW but not the required majority in NSW
  • Secret premiers’ conference

    To amend the constitution to satisfy NSW and Queensland
    Referendum vote all colonies except WA vote for federation
  • British parliament passes commonwealth of Australia constitution act

    Vote in WA 31 July for federation
    Queen Victoria proclaims the date of inauguration of the commonwealth 1 January 1901
  • Federation

    Federation
    Proclaimation of the commonwealth of Australia 1 January
    First federal election three main parties which ran candidates were protectionist, free trades and labor
    Opening of the first parliament at Melbourne’s exhibition building