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There are many reasons why Federation was good for Australia:
- Trade: There were steep tariffs imposed on the transport of goods across the borders of the states. Federation removed these tariffs and allow for free trade between the states.
- Unions and labour laws: It was hoped that labour laws would be standardised across the states with Federation. The great Shearers' Strike of the 1890s had resulted in the formation of workers' unions, and the newly-formed Australian Labor Party saw that unification would allow this standardisation.
- Transport: There was no standard railway gauge across the country and railway lines changed at the colonial borders. It was believed Federation would see the introduction of uniform railway gauges across the states, but in reality this did not occur for another eighty years or so.
- Some Australians wanted a "White Australia" policy. They believed Federation would enable the development and maintenance of a "White Australia", by toughening Immigration laws. There was lingering resentment over the Chinese who had come during the gold rush, made their fortune (as they were far more industrious than Australians) and then returned to their own country, taking their fortune with them. Some stayed and set up businesses in towns, but they were always looked down upon. It was hoped by some (not all) that a White Australia policy would ensure employment for Australians. Some colonies were opposed to this policy as they used foreign labour, which was often much cheaper than local labour. An example of this is Queensland, which employed Kanakas (people from the Cook Islands). Under the new constitution, not only the Kanakas, but also the much-feared Chinese, who came to Australia during the gold rush, would not be allowed into Australia. Thus Federation would eliminate unwanted foreigners, providing more employment for Australians.
- Independence from England: Federation was but a small step in the overall independence of Australia, allowing it to move away from the influence of Mother England and become a self-governing nation in its own right. Again, this was a process which took many decades, but Federation certainly enabled that first step.
- Other important laws were to be made uniform, such as taxes and banking. This was particularly important in the light of the recent (1892) depression, which was a time of economic instability. Many saw that Federation, in bringing unity, could only bring more stability to the country.
- Defence: Each of the states had its own defence force. Each individual state's defence force was not strong enough to protect Australia's vast coastline from attack. There were distinct advantages in uniting the defence under one command, an important consideration as the German and French presence in the Pacific increased.
- Laws: Laws could be enforced better if accused people could not escape to a neighbouring colony.
- Sporting teams were representing "Australia", not individual states.
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ReneFederation tended to improve the lot of white Australians while the laws often excluded the Aboriginal people from these same rights afforded to white Australians. Federal Laws included pensions for the elderly as well as pensions for the disabled.
The Federation of Australia was the joining of all the states and territories as one nation controlled by the federal government. Prior to 1901, Australia was made up of six self-governing colonies; New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. These colonies were under British rule from the time the First Fleet landed, in 1788, until 1901. Numerous politicians and influential Australians through the years had pushed for federation of the colonies, and self-government. After not being accepted by the states the first time, the amended Commonwealth Constitution was given Royal Assent on 9 July 1900.
On 1 January 1901, federation of the colonies was achieved and the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed.
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What is the father of federation regarded as being?
The Father of Federation is regarded as being the one who campaigned most vocally and vigorously for Federation in Australia - and this is Sir Henry Parkes.
What was the act of forming the commonwealth of Australia called?
The act of forming the commonwealth of Australia, or the merging of the independent states, was called "Federation".
When did the federation happen?
On the 1st January 1901, the Colonies of Australia were united in federation to become the states of the Commonwealth of Australia. The ceremoney took place at the kiosk in Sydney's Centenial Park. Also on this day Sir Edmund Barton was sworn in as Australia's first Prime Minister and the Earl of Hopetoun was appointed by Queen Victoria as Australia's first Governer-General
Why was Sir Henry Parkes important?
Sir Henry Parkes was important because he was a major figure in the push for Federation of the states in Australia. Because he campaigned for federation of the states, he is referred to as the Father of Federation. Federation would enable Australia to be self-governing, independent of England.Parkes is remembered for his famous Tenterfield Oration, delivered on 24 October 1889, at the Tenterfield School of Arts. Tenterfield was selected as the place to make his stand as it was part of New South Wales but a long distance away from Sydney. This meant that the town was disadvantaged by the steep tariffs imposed on the transportation of goods across the border to Queensland, where the closer trade centre of Brisbane was located.His promotion of Federation was based on the fact that it would enable free trade across the borders. Parkes made a significant contribution to the Federation movement in Australia.
What happened on January 1 1901?
On 1 January 1901, federation of the Australian colonies was achieved and the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed. Australia's first Governor-General, John Hope, made the proclamation at Centennial Park in Sydney.
