The Federation of Australia

The Federation of Australia

Much history goes along with the Federation of Australia. Generally speaking, from 1867 to 1900, the people of the continent we now know as Australia felt the need and fought the fight to become a fully united commonwealth. What gave birth to the movement for the people to feel the need for the unification was the introduction of rail transportation along with the telegraph. Communications and travel between the colonies made for the residents, many of whom were now born and raised on the Australian continent, to realize that unification would be their strength for the future.

Eventhough Fiji and New Zealand decided at the time to stay out of the federation, six colonies went on to federate. Those courageous six colonies were New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania along with Western and South Australia. These were all self-governing British colonies that were the first to form the union of federation.

Many statesmen worked long and tirelessly to form the federation. Sir Henry Parkes first proposed the unification in 1867 which was denied by the Duke of Buckingham. Parkes again brought it up in 1880. At this time the Federation was taken under serious consideration due to the possibilities of tariffs and internal development, but still not accepted. Then, it was brought into discussion due to foreign developments in New Guinea and New Caledonia in 1883 when a bill was drafted to constitute a federal council. The Imperial Parliament was now successfully petitioned to enact the Federal Council of Australasia Act of 1885.

With the development of the Federal Council, which was the first major form of inter-colonial agreement and cooperation, the development, ratification, and acceptance of the Constitution of Australia finally came into being on January 1st, 1901. After the adoption of the new constitution these colonies were then able to become a collective of states that now form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Several landmarks in Australia have been given the title of Federation to commemorate and honor the auspicious beginning to this most unique land. Landmarks such as Federation Peak, Federation Highway, and Federation Creek, to name a few, are all named in honor of the Federation of Australia. The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne is the historic site of the first sitting of the Federal Parliament and is open to the public. People may also view the Citizen’s Arch located in the National Museum in Canberra.