Federation

FEDERATION

In 1891, a draft of the Australian Federal Constitution was drawn up.
After many conferences and heated debates...finally...it was presented to
the British Parliament for approval in 1898.

It was duly ratified by Britain and then presented back to the Australian people for their approval.
This was done in a series of referendums held throughout the nation...at last...after such a turbulent short history, Australia was declared the Commonwealth of Australia, on 1st January, 1901.

The people elected Edmund Barton to be our very first Prime Minister.
The parliamentary system is based on the House of Representatives (lower house) following the Westminster System's House of Commons. On the other hand, the Senate, (upper house)
follows the American Senate system.

The Constitution has altered very little since Federation, but it can be done. However, it requires a majority of the states to vote in favour of the change and this has proven very difficult to do. Of the 42 amendments presented to the people in referendums since 1901, only 8 have successfully been approved.

Australians, it seems, remain very suspicious of changes to be made to their Constitution, and jealously guard against the danger of any weakening of it's powers or protections.

Our Nation's Capital, is Canberra...a
city especially build and designed for
this purpose. But that is another story
and much too complex to include on
this page.

I do hope you have enjoyed following our history, all be it, in very brief form here on these pages. Birdie has also learned a lot about our history herself, but found it very intriguing and hope you do too.
I found the reasons why I feel so strongly about Australia, and why I love it so much.
This land is as much a part of me, as I am of it.