australia

why federation?

• Whole list of small reasons
• Overall, Australia wanted to be unique and united
• The six colonies were unconnected and this caused problems
• More Australians born here - 75% by 1891
• More patriotism and nationalistic sentiment

sir henry parkes

• Premier of NSW
• First advocate for Federation
• A good Premier who died broke
• Formed a Federation Council in 1885 - failed
• In 1889, gave a speech in Tenterfield calling for a Constitution

the federation convention

• Delegates from all colonies agreed to meet with Parkes
• Met in 1891 with delegates from each colony and NZ
• Developed a draft Constitution for the new nation
• The draft itself written by QLD Premier Samuel Griffiths
• Wrote it while drifting in a boat on the Hawkesbury River

A LACK OF INTEREST

• Their achievement largely ignored
• No progress made
• Plan for Federation briefly abandoned

a second round

• Several groups kept pushing
• Australian Natives Association met in 1893
• Pushed for a new Federation Convention
• Wanted delegates elected democratically
• Wanted to send draft Constitution to the people for approval

Untitled Slide

the final decision

• People in TAS, NSW, VIC and SA voted on Constitution
• All voted "Yes" except NSW
• Convention made some adjustments
• NSW got on board

success!

• Held a Referendum in 1899
• All states except WA voted "Yes"
• Some adjustments made again
• All colonies now on board
• Australia was on the way to Federation

permission from the queen

• Australia still not in charge of herself
• Constitution Act had to be signed in British Parliament
• Queen Victoria signed it on 9 July 1900
• New nation officially established on Jan 1 1901

federation

• A huge ceremony held in Centennial Park
• A parade through the city
• http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/inauguration-commonwealth/ 
• Earl of Hopetoun appointed as Governor-General
• Edmund Barton becomes first PM

questions

• Why was there initial resistance to Federation?
• Explain the role of democracy in Australian Federation
• What do you think this meant to the Australian people?