Damon Mcknight
Western Australia has had a long history of secessionist sentiment, with the state's unique geographical characteristics and economic grievances contributing to a desire for self-governance. In 1890, Western Australia gained the right of self-government from Britain, achieving virtual independence in all matters except defence, foreign affairs, and trade. Despite this, Western Australia remained reluctant to join the Federation of Australian colonies, only doing so in 1901 after intense lobbying. Secessionist sentiments persisted, and in 1933, a referendum saw a majority of voters support leaving the Australian Commonwealth. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and Western Australia remains a part of the indissoluble federation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Western Australia gained independence | 1890 |
| Who granted the independence | British Parliament |
| What was the independence from | Britain |
| What was Western Australia called at the time | Colony |
| What was the colony's main port called | Fremantle |
| What was the capital called | Perth |
| Who was the leader of the new elected government | John Forrest |
| What was the nature of the independence | Self-government |
| What matters was the colony still dependent on Britain for | Foreign policy, defence and "native affairs" |
| What was established by Section 70 of the self-government act | Aborigines Protection Board |
| Who controlled the Aborigines Protection Board | British Parliament |
| When did Western Australia gain independence from the Australian federation | Western Australia has not gained independence from the Australian federation |
| When was the referendum for Western Australia to leave the Australian federation held | 1933 |
| What was the result of the referendum | 66.2% voted in favour of leaving |
| Was the referendum result legally binding | No |
| What was the only legal path to secession | National referendum |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's self-governance in 1890
Western Australia's path to self-governance has been a long and complex one, with the idea of self-governance or secession being a recurring feature of its political landscape. In 1890, Western Australia took a significant step towards self-governance when the British Parliament passed an Act granting the colony self-government. This move gave Western Australia independence from Britain in most matters, except foreign policy, defence, and "native affairs".
The journey towards self-governance in Western Australia began much earlier. The colony was established in 1829 by British naval captain James Stirling, who explored the land around the Swan River and recommended its suitability for settlement. Initially, the plan was to have a colony of free settlers, but from 1850, convicts were brought in to assist with the development of roads, towns, ports, and farms. Despite this influx, the population remained small, with only around 1,000 Europeans. The isolation of the colony, due to its distance from the older, more populous eastern colonies, further contributed to its unique context.
In the late 19th century, Western Australia, like New Zealand, was reluctant to commit to the proposed Federation of British colonies in Australasia. This stance continued even after the granting of self-government in 1889, which effectively gave the colony virtual independence from Britain, except in matters of defence, foreign affairs, and trade. The election of the Colony's first Premier, John Forrest, in the same year, reinforced Western Australia's autonomous position.
The push for self-governance gained momentum in 1887 when a new constitution, including proposals for responsible government, was drafted and sent to London for approval. The increasing wealth generated by gold rushes in the region further bolstered the argument for Western Australia to become a self-governing colony. As a result, the British Parliament passed the Act granting self-government in 1890, marking a significant milestone in Western Australia's journey towards autonomy.
However, it is important to note that even after achieving self-governance in 1890, Western Australia continued to face challenges and discussions of secession persisted. In 1901, Western Australia joined the other five British colonies to form the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia, becoming a state within the new nation. Despite this union, Western Australia has repeatedly explored the idea of secession, with a significant referendum taking place in 1933, reflecting a complex and ongoing dialogue around self-governance and independence in the region.
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The 1933 secession referendum
Western Australia gained virtual independence from Britain in 1890, except in matters of defence, foreign affairs and trade. However, it remains a part of the Commonwealth of Australia, which was formed in 1901 when six British colonies united. Secessionism has been a recurring feature of Western Australia's political landscape since shortly after Federation in 1901, with the idea of self-governance or secession often discussed in local media.
The referendum was a response to a growing sentiment among Western Australians that they were not adequately represented in the federal government. There was a perception that the federal government favoured the more populous eastern states, and that Western Australia was not receiving its fair share of federal funds. Additionally, the state's geographical isolation and unique characteristics, including its large size and remote metropolitan areas, contributed to a sense of distinctness from the rest of the country.
The campaign for secession was led by a group called the "Secession League", which was formed in 1932. The League argued that Western Australia would be better off as an independent state, free from what they saw as unfair federal taxation and control. They believed that the state had the resources and capacity to prosper on its own and that secession would allow for more local control over economic and political matters.
However, the referendum faced strong opposition from the federal government and some sectors within Western Australia itself. The federal government argued that secession would be unconstitutional and threatened legal consequences if the state were to carry out the separation. There were also concerns about the economic and political stability of an independent Western Australia, particularly in terms of defence and foreign relations.
Despite the successful vote, the referendum was ultimately not implemented. The state government faced significant legal and political challenges, and there were concerns about the potential economic and social impacts of secession. Additionally, the outbreak of World War II shifted the focus away from secession, and the issue was largely put on hold during the war years.
While the 1933 secession referendum did not lead to Western Australia gaining independence, it remains a significant event in the state's history and a testament to the ongoing debate around self-governance and secession in the region.
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The WAxit Party
Western Australia has a long history of secessionist sentiment, with the idea of self-governance or secession being a recurring feature of its political landscape. While the colony was established in 1829, it gained the right of self-government in 1890, achieving virtual independence from Britain in all matters except defence, foreign affairs, and trade.
In 1901, Western Australia, along with five other British colonies, formed the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia, becoming a component state. However, Western Australia was reluctant to join the federation, and even after its establishment, secessionism remained a topic of discussion. In 1933, a state referendum on secession was held, with over 66% of voters supporting the idea of leaving the Australian Commonwealth and returning to being a self-governing colony of the British Empire. Despite the referendum result, Western Australia remained a part of Australia as the movement lapsed due to an improving economy and federal grants.
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Federation in 1901
Western Australia gained self-government in 1890, achieving virtual independence from Britain in all matters except defence, foreign affairs, and trade. However, the idea of secession or complete independence has been a recurring feature of Western Australia's political landscape since Federation in 1901.
On 1 January 1901, Western Australia, along with five other British colonies—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria—formed the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia, becoming component states of the new nation. This unity was marked by two weeks of celebrations in Melbourne, demonstrating Australians' enthusiasm for uniting as "one people".
The process leading up to Federation involved several milestones. In 1897 and 1898, the second National Australasian Convention met three times, using the 1891 draft constitution as a starting point. In January 1899, the colonial premiers met privately to work out a way to bring about Federation, making changes to the draft constitution to address the concerns of the less powerful states.
The Eastern Goldfields Reform League also played a role in the push for Federation. In 1899, they compiled a petition to Queen Victoria, arguing for the Goldfields' separation from Western Australia and the formation of a new colony named "Auralia". While the Colonial Secretary, Joseph Chamberlain, refused to meet with their representative, Walter Griffiths, the petition added to the pressure on the Western Australian government to join Federation.
In the lead-up to Federation, Queensland and Western Australia did not hold referendums, and New South Wales did not achieve the minimum 80,000 'yes' votes set by its colonial parliament as necessary for agreeing to Federation. However, a majority of voters in each colony voted 'yes', and Western Australia's Premier John Forrest faced the issue of Federation immediately upon taking office in 1890.
The desire for complete self-governance in Western Australia persisted after Federation, culminating in the 1933 secession referendum, which saw nearly two-thirds of electors vote in favour of leaving the Australian federation. However, this movement ultimately failed, and Western Australia remains a part of the Commonwealth of Australia today.
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The Goldfields' separation in 1899
Western Australia was established as a British colony in 1829, with James Stirling, a British naval captain, in charge. Stirling was first appointed Lieutenant-Governor and then Governor. The colony's main port was Fremantle, and its capital was Perth.
In 1890, the colony was granted self-government by the British House of Commons, and Queen Victoria assented to this. This gave Western Australia virtual independence from Britain in all matters except defence, foreign affairs, and trade.
In the 1890s, a new series of gold rushes were triggered by the discovery of huge gold fields at Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie in Western Australia. The population of Coolgardie is estimated to have reached 15,000 at its peak during the gold rush, while the town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is estimated to have reached 30,000.
In 1899, the Eastern Goldfields Reform League petitioned Queen Victoria for the Goldfields to separate from Western Australia and become a new colony named "Auralia". The petition argued that all other constitutional means had been tried and failed, and that the only course to redress the grievances of the Eastern Goldfields was to separate from the rest of Western Australia. The Reform League collected tens of thousands of signatures, and a similar move was made at a meeting in Albany on 28 December 1899.
The petition was printed in 1900 but was never presented to Queen Victoria by the Governor of Western Australia. However, it did put pressure on the Western Australian government to join the Federation.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia gained the right of self-government in 1890, achieving independence from Britain in matters other than foreign policy, defence and "native affairs".
Western Australia became a state of Australia in 1901, when six British colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
Western Australia has a history of secessionist sentiment. In 1933, a referendum saw 66.2% of voters support secession, but the result was not implemented. The movement lost momentum after the British Parliament refused to accept a petition requesting independence in 1935.
