Lexi Webster
Western Australia's reluctance to join the Federation of Australia stemmed from concerns about the potential impact on their thriving economy and political power. The discovery of gold in the early 1890s had spurred rapid growth in the colony's population and wealth, bolstered by strong industries like farming, timber, and shipping. In contrast, other colonies were experiencing an economic depression, and Western Australians feared that federating would weaken their economic and political position. There were also worries about local goods facing competition from the east and uncertainties about improved communication and transport under a federal system. These factors led to initial indecision and delays in holding a referendum on federation. While some communities in Western Australia strongly favoured federation, believing it would better protect their rights and interests, the colony's leaders were cautious, wanting to negotiate favourable terms before committing to any decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Western Australia's leaders were uncertain about Federation | Western Australia's leaders did not believe Federation was the best option for their colony |
| Western Australia was experiencing rapid growth in population and wealth | Western Australia's economy was strong due to the discovery of gold, farming, the timber industry and shipping |
| The other colonies were experiencing an economic depression | Western Australia was concerned that Federation would weaken its economic and political power |
| Local goods and produce would face competition from the east | Western Australia wanted to ensure it would share equally in the benefits of Federation |
| The colony was isolated, with no railway linking it to the east | Western Australia wanted to know if a federal system of government would improve communication and transport |
| Voters in Western Australia were strongly in favour of Federation | Federation would better protect the rights and interests of Western Australia |
| Western Australia was concerned Federation would give New South Wales and Victoria an advantage over the less-powerful states | Western Australia did not hold a referendum until July 1900 |
| The colony was concerned about the abolition of tariffs, which would deprive them of revenue | Western Australia was worried about the fiscal union |
| Western Australia was the only state not specifically mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution | Western Australia's final decision to join came too late for the Constitution to be altered |
| Secessionism has been a recurring feature of Western Australia's political landscape |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia was economically strong and feared losing power
Western Australia's economic strength was a key factor in its initial reluctance to join the federation. The discovery of gold in the early 1890s, along with thriving industries in farming, timber, and shipping, had led to rapid growth in the colony's population and wealth. This stood in contrast to the other colonies, which were experiencing an economic depression. Some Western Australians feared that accepting Federation would weaken their colony's economic and political power. They worried that local goods and produce would face competition from the east, and that their isolation, particularly the lack of a railway connection to the eastern colonies, would hinder their ability to benefit equally from Federation.
The economic concerns of Western Australia were not unfounded. Smaller colonies like Western Australia were justified in their worries about the abolition of tariffs, which could deprive them of significant revenue and leave them at the mercy of larger states economically. There was also a concern that the larger colonies might be required to subsidise the struggling economies of Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia, which further fuelled fears of economic disadvantage.
The Western Australian Premier, John Forrest, played a pivotal role in navigating these uncertainties. Despite his initial absence from meetings with other colonial premiers, Forrest recognised the importance of participating in the Conventions held in the 1890s to draft the Australian Constitution and plan the workings of a Federal Parliament. Forrest believed that engagement in these negotiations would help protect Western Australia's interests and enable them to reach the best decision.
The economic considerations of Western Australia were not the sole factor in their hesitation to join the federation. The colony was also grappling with political indecision, with differing opinions among its leaders and people. While some politicians and communities, particularly those in the eastern goldfields and the port of Albany, strongly favoured Federation, believing it would better protect their rights and interests, others remained unconvinced. The idea of self-governance or secession had been a recurring theme in Western Australia's political landscape, with some even petitioning for the separation of the Eastern Goldfields to form a new colony named "Auralia".
In conclusion, Western Australia's economic strength and the fear of losing power were significant factors in its initial resistance to joining the federation. However, it is important to note that there were multiple factors at play, including political indecision and the allure of self-governance. Ultimately, Western Australia voted in favour of Federation in 1900, becoming a state in the new nation of Australia on 1 January 1901.
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Local goods and produce would face competition from the east
Western Australia's leaders were uncertain about joining the Federation of Australia. One of the reasons for this uncertainty was the concern that local goods and produce would face competition from the east.
Western Australia was experiencing rapid growth in its population and wealth due to the discovery of gold in the early 1890s. Farming, the timber industry, and shipping were also strong, providing financial support for the colony's development. However, the other colonies were experiencing an economic depression, which led to concerns that Western Australia's economic and political power would be weakened if it joined the Federation.
The smaller colonies worried about the abolition of tariffs, which would deprive them of revenue and leave their commerce vulnerable to the larger states. There was also a concern that the federation's tariff policy would be protectionist, impacting free trade. Western Australia wanted to ensure that it would share equally in the benefits of Federation, including improved communication and transport over long distances.
The fear of competition from the east was not unfounded. Even after federation, Western Australia has often been referred to as a "'Cinderella state,'" contributing more to federal funds than it receives in return. This has led to recurring discussions of secession, with some arguing that Western Australia is a forgotten state that is discriminated against by the more populous eastern states.
The residents of the Eastern Goldfields within Western Australia shared these concerns about joining the Federation. They began organizing to form a separate colony, which they planned to name "Auralia." This movement put pressure on the Western Australian government to join the Federation, as a separate Auralia colony could have sought admission to the Commonwealth later.
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Western Australia was geographically isolated
Western Australia's size and isolation contributed to a sense of uniqueness and a desire for self-governance or secession. The colony was the world's second-largest administrative division, with vast deserts providing a natural barrier to the more populous eastern states. This geography made some Western Australians feel like a "Cinderella state", contributing less to federal funds than it received, and discriminated against by the larger states.
The geographical distance from the decision-making centres in the east also played a role in Western Australia's initial reluctance to join the Federation. The colony had only recently gained self-government in 1890, and its leaders were uncertain about ceding power to a distant central government. They worried that Federation would weaken their economic and political power, especially since the other colonies were experiencing an economic depression while Western Australia was enjoying rapid growth due to the discovery of gold.
The geographical isolation of Western Australia also influenced the timing of its referendum on Federation. While the other colonies held referendums and voted 'yes' by 1899, Western Australia delayed its referendum until July 1900. This delay meant that Western Australia's support for Federation came too late for it to be specifically mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution.
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The colony's leaders were uncertain about Federation
Western Australia's leaders were uncertain about Federation, and they were not alone in their hesitation. In the late 1800s, Australia was made up of six separate British colonies, each with its own government, laws, railway gauge, postage stamps, and taxes. These differences often caused problems, leading people to discuss the benefits of uniting as a single nation. However, Western Australia's leaders, including Premier John Forrest, had their doubts.
One of the main concerns for Western Australia's leaders was the economic disparity between their colony and the others. The discovery of gold in the early 1890s had led to rapid growth in the colony's population and wealth, with thriving industries in farming, timber, and shipping. In contrast, the other colonies were experiencing an economic depression. Some Western Australian leaders feared that accepting Federation would weaken their colony's economic and political power. They worried that local goods and produce would face competition from the east, and that Western Australia might not benefit equally from Federation.
The colony's isolation was another concern, as there was no railway linking Western Australia to the east. Leaders questioned whether a federal system of government would improve communication and transport over long distances. They wanted to ensure that Western Australia would share equally in the benefits of Federation before making any commitment.
The indecision among Western Australia's leaders stood in contrast to the views of many people in the colony, particularly those in the eastern goldfields and the port of Albany. These communities strongly favoured Federation, believing that their rights and interests would be better protected under a federal system. The tensions between these differing opinions contributed to the political indecision in Western Australia.
In the end, it was the voters of Western Australia who made the final decision. In July 1900, just months before Australia's federal system began, Western Australians voted in a referendum to accept the Constitution and join the Federation.
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Western Australia was not specifically mentioned in the preamble
Western Australia's leaders were uncertain about Federation. The discovery of gold in the early 1890s led to rapid growth in the colony's population and wealth. Farming, the timber industry, and shipping were also strong, and Western Australia was economically strong. Conversely, the other colonies were experiencing an economic depression, which concerned some Western Australians who thought their colony's economic and political power would be weakened if it accepted Federation.
Western Australia's government put off a decision about Federation, hoping to negotiate a good deal for the colony before making any commitment. However, many people in Western Australia held different views. In communities around the eastern goldfields and the port of Albany, many people were strongly in favour of Federation and believed that their rights and interests would be better protected under a federal system.
Western Australia's referendum was held on 31 July 1900. By that time, the British Parliament had enacted the Commonwealth Constitution Bill, and it had received Royal Assent on 9 July 1900. Western Australia was not specifically mentioned in the preamble as its support was given too late for the document to be amended prior to enactment. The colony had taken no steps to hold their referendum on the question of federation as the year 1900 began.
The preamble of the Constitution, which came into force on 1 January 1901, states:
> WHEREAS the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God, have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and under the Constitution hereby established.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia was economically stable and rapidly growing due to the discovery of gold, while the other colonies were experiencing an economic depression. Some Western Australians thought that joining the federation would weaken their colony's economic and political power.
The people of Western Australia were concerned about the isolation of their colony, as there was no railway linking it to the east. They also worried about the competition that local goods and produce would face from the east.
The referendum in Western Australia was held on 31 July 1900, and the result was 44,800 in favour and 19,691 against. Most country electorates voted "No", except Albany and the Goldfields, which voted "Yes".
