Federation of Australia

Quick Facts: Who was Federation of Australia?

Subject:

Federation of Australia

Known for:

The process by which six Australian colonies united to form the Commonwealth.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing Australian colonies—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia (which also governed what is now the Northern Territory), Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia—united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in Australia. The colonies of Fiji and New Zealand were originally part of this process, but they decided not to join the federation. Following federation, the six colonies that united to form the Commonwealth of Australia as states kept the systems of government (and the bicameral legislatures) that they had developed as separate colonies, but they also agreed to have a federal government that was responsible for matters concerning the whole nation. When the Constitution of Australia came into force, on 1 January 1901, the colonies collectively became states of the Commonwealth of Australia. The efforts to bring about federation in the mid-19th century were dogged by the lack of popular support for the movement.

Career & Major Achievements

A number of conventions were held during the 1890s to develop a constitution for the Commonwealth. Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of the Colony of New South Wales, was instrumental in this process. Sir Edmund Barton, second only to Parkes in the length of his commitment to the federation cause, was the caretaker Prime Minister of Australia at the inaugural national election in March 1901. The election returned Barton as prime minister, though without a majority. This period has lent its name to an architectural style prevalent in Australia at that time, known as Federation architecture, or Federation style.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As early as 1842, an anonymous article in the South Australian Magazine called for a "Union of the Australasian Colonies into a Governor-Generalship." In September 1846, the New South Wales Colonial Secretary Sir Edward Deas Thomson suggested federation in the New South Wales Legislative Council. The Governor of New South Wales, Sir Charles Fitzroy, then wrote to the United Kingdom's Colonial Office suggesting a "superior functionary" with power to review the legislation of all the colonies. In 1853, FitzRoy was appointed as Governor of Van Diemen's Land, South Australia and Victoria—a pre-federation governor-general of Australia, with wide-ranging powers to intervene in inter-colonial disputes. This title was also extended to his immediate successor, William Denison. In 1847, the Secretary of State for the Colonies Earl Grey drew up a plan for a "General Assembly" of the colonies.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1842: 1842 Milestone — As early as 1842, an anonymous article in the South Australian Magazine called for a "Union of the Australasian Colonies into a Governor-Generalship.
2. 1846: 1846 Milestone — " In September 1846, the New South Wales Colonial Secretary Sir Edward Deas Thomson suggested federation in the New South Wales Legislative Council.
3. 1847: 1847 Milestone — In 1847, the Secretary of State for the Colonies Earl Grey drew up a plan for a "General Assembly" of the colonies.
4. 1853: 1853 Milestone — In 1853, FitzRoy was appointed as Governor of Van Diemen's Land, South Australia and Victoria—a pre-federation governor-general of Australia, with wide-ranging powers to intervene in inter-colonial disputes.
5. 1901: 1901 Milestone — When the Constitution of Australia came into force, on 1 January 1901, the colonies collectively became states of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Federation of Australia

True or False: “The initial call for a union of the Australasian Colonies was made in 1842 by an official government body.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The first call in 1842 came from an anonymous article published in the South Australian Magazine.

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