Damon Mcknight
Federation was a process by which six separate British self-governing colonies agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in the country. The process of federation in Australia began in the late 19th century and was influenced by other federations that had emerged around the world, particularly in the United States and Canada. Federation brought about several benefits for Australia, including the removal of taxes and duties on goods moving between states, and it also led to the formation of a federal government that was responsible for matters concerning the entire nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unification of six separate British self-governing colonies | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia |
| Formation of the Commonwealth of Australia | 1 January 1901 |
| Establishment of a federal government | Addressed matters concerning the whole nation |
| Retention of existing systems of government and bicameral legislatures within former colonies | Each colony-turned-state kept its pre-federation system of government |
| Influence from other federations | Influenced by federations in the United States and Canada |
| Improved inter-colony communication and transport | Establishment of a telegraph system between colonies in 1872 |
| Resolution of intercolonial issues | Addressed customs duties, defence, and labour standards |
| Inducements for reluctant colonies | Western Australia was promised a railway link to eastern states |
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What You'll Learn
A united Australia
Federation was a process by which six separate British self-governing colonies—Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia—agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia. This process brought about a united Australia, establishing a system of federalism in the country.
The idea of being Australian began to be celebrated in songs and poems, fostered by improvements in transport and communications, such as the establishment of a telegraph system between the colonies in 1872. The colonies were also influenced by other federations that had emerged around the world, particularly the United States and Canada.
The benefits of a united Australia included the removal of taxes and duties on goods moving between the colonies/states. The Federal Council of Australasia was formed in 1885 to resolve intercolonial issues, including customs duties and defence. The Council had powers to legislate directly on certain matters, such as the mutual recognition of naturalisations by colonies and regulating labour standards in the employment of Pacific Island labour in fisheries.
The process of Federation was not without its challenges. Smaller colonies worried about the abolition of tariffs, which would impact their revenue and leave them at the mercy of larger states. There were also debates about the form of government a federation would take, and how to distribute excess customs duties from the central government to the states. Despite these concerns, Federation ultimately led to a united Australia, with the colonies collectively becoming states of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901.
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A federal government
Federation in Australia was the process by which six separate British self-governing colonies—Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia—agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia. This established a system of federalism in the country.
The formation of a federal government was a crucial aspect of Australia's federation. The colonies that united to form the Commonwealth of Australia as states retained their own systems of government, including their bicameral legislatures. However, they also agreed to establish a federal government that would be responsible for matters concerning the entire nation. This federal government would address issues that affected all the colonies collectively and required a unified approach.
The concept of a federal government was first proposed by Sir Henry Parkes, the colonial secretary, and later premier, of New South Wales. He advocated for a Federal Council body in 1867, which was initially rejected. However, he persisted and, in his "Tenterfield Address" in 1889, he emphasized the need for "one great Federal army" for Australia's defence and called for an Australasian convention.
At the National Australasian Convention in Sydney in 1891, delegates from each colony, including New Zealand, came together. They decided on the name ""Commonwealth of Australia" and worked on drafting a constitution that would provide for both a federal government and a federal parliament. The draft constitution was influenced by the United States Constitution and several British Acts, resulting in Australia's unique hybrid system of government, colloquially known as "Washminster."
The federal government in Australia addressed intercolonial issues, including customs duties, defence, and uniform tariff rates. It enabled the removal of taxes and duties on goods moving between the colonies/states, fostering smoother trade and economic benefits. The federal government also had the power to legislate on matters such as the mutual recognition of naturalizations by colonies and the regulation of labour standards in certain industries.
The establishment of a federal government in Australia was a significant step towards unifying the country and creating a cohesive system of governance that could address nationwide concerns and promote collaboration among the former colonies.
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Improved intercolonial relations
Federation brought about improved intercolonial relations in Australia. Before Federation, the colonies had their own systems of government and legislatures, which led to a lack of uniformity in policies and laws across the colonies. Federation brought the colonies together as states of the Commonwealth of Australia, with a unified federal government that handled matters concerning the entire nation.
The Federal Council of Australasia, formed in 1885, was an early attempt to improve intercolonial relations and resolve issues such as customs duties and defence. However, the absence of powerful colonies like New South Wales and New Zealand meant that the Council lacked the influence and resources to be truly effective.
The push for Federation gained momentum in 1889 when Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of the Colony of New South Wales, delivered his famous ''Tenterfield Address'. Parkes highlighted the need for a united Australia with 'one great Federal army' for defence purposes. This call for a national government and a federal parliament resonated with the other colonies, and delegates from each colony, including New Zealand, met in Sydney in 1891 to discuss the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The process of Federation was not without its challenges, and economic concerns and debates about the form of government slowed progress. However, the colonies eventually united, and the Constitution of Australia came into force on 1 January 1901, marking the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia. Federation improved intercolonial relations by creating a unified nation with a federal government that could address the concerns of all Australians.
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A national defence system
Federation was a process by which six separate British self-governing colonies—Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia—agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in the country.
Federation allowed for the creation of a unified national defence system, which was a key motivation for the Australian colonies to unite. Prior to federation, each colony had its own defence forces, which were small and lacked the resources to effectively defend the colonies.
The establishment of a 'one great Federal army' was proposed by Sir Henry Parkes, then colonial secretary and later premier of New South Wales, in his 'Tenterfield address' in 1889. He highlighted the need for a unified Australian defence force to protect the colonies from external threats.
A unified defence system would provide greater security and protection for the Australian colonies. It would allow for the pooling of resources and the development of a more cohesive and coordinated military strategy. With a federal army, Australia could better defend its interests and protect its citizens from potential aggressors.
The Federal Council of Australasia, formed in 1885, had some powers to legislate on defence matters, but it was short-lived and lacked the executive powers and revenue to implement significant defence policies. With federation, the Australian colonies gained the ability to establish a centralised defence force with the necessary authority and resources to protect the entire nation.
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A hybrid system of government (influenced by the US and UK)
Federation was a process by which six separate British self-governing colonies of Australia agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism. The colonies that united to form the Commonwealth of Australia as states kept their systems of government and bicameral legislatures, but they also agreed to have a federal government that was responsible for matters concerning the nation as a whole.
The Australian colonies were influenced by other federations that had emerged around the world, particularly the United States and Canada. The overall model of the Australian federation, particularly independently governed states working together under a central federal government structure, was influenced by the US system. The British parliamentary model was also very influential when developing the Australian federation model in the 1890s. The idea of responsible government, a government elected by the people and accountable to the Parliament, is a significant British contribution to the Australian system. Australia's version of the separation of powers—the division of power between the Parliament, the executive, and the judiciary—also owes much to the British model.
The hybrid system of government that Australia adopted, colloquially known as 'Washminster' (a portmanteau of Washington and Westminster), was influenced by the United States' Constitution and several British Acts. The draft constitution was written by Samuel Griffiths, the then-Premier of Queensland, and was based on a version written by Tasmanian delegate Andrew Inglis Clark.
The Federal Council of Australasia was formed in 1885 to resolve intercolonial issues, including customs duties and defence. The Council had powers to legislate directly on certain matters, and it did so to effect the mutual recognition of naturalisations by colonies, regulate labour standards in the employment of Pacific Island labour in fisheries, and enable legal suits to be served outside the colony in which they were issued.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federation of Australia was the process by which six separate British self-governing colonies—Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia—agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in Australia.
One benefit of Federation was the removal of taxes and duties on goods moving between the colonies/states. Federation also led to the formation of a federal government that was responsible for matters concerning the whole nation.
The Australian colonies were influenced by other federations that had emerged around the world, particularly the United States and Canada. Improvements in transport and communications, such as the establishment of a telegraph system between the colonies in 1872, also fostered a sense of shared identity and the idea of being Australian.
Smaller colonies worried about the abolition of tariffs, which could deprive them of revenue and leave them at the mercy of larger states. There were also debates about the form of government that a federation would take and how to distribute excess customs duties from the central government to the states.
