Timeline to federation

By Mr Toop

  • 1850

    1850
    Sir Henry Parkes promotes Federation in his newspaper

  • 1885

    Federal council established

  • 1889

    1889
    NSW premier Henry Parkes’ Tenterfield speech - calls for federation

  • 1890

    Australasia Federation Conference

  • 1891

    1891
    National Australasian Convention, Sydney - agrees a draft of constitution. Adopts name of Commonwealth of Australia

  • 1893

    Formation of the Australasian Federation League in New South Wales

  • 1895

    1895
    Premiers meet in Hobart - agree to the Corowa conference approach for achieving Federation.

  • 1896

    Second ‘peoples conference’ in Bathurst

  • 1897

    1897
    Second session of the national convention

  • 1899

    Secret premiers’ conference. All conference except Western Australia vote Yes.

  • 1900

    1900
    British parliament passes commonwealth of Australia constitution act Vote in Western Australia for federation

  • 1901

    Proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia- 1 January First federal election - three main parties which ran candidates were protectionists, free traders and labor Opening of the first parliament