Federation Flashcards
What was Australia prior to federation in 1901?
Each state was a separate British colony operating independently with their own governments, parliaments, military and tax systems. The states traded and conducted business with each other.
What are the reasons for federation?
trade, defense, immigration, communication, industrial relations, nationalism
What was the issue with trade?
- States were divided as Vic and WA had large tariffs whilst NSW had free trade
- Barriers to trade caused delay and held back development
- It was argued that free trade between the states would improve the economy and strengthen areas of production
What was the constitutional response to trade?
Trade is now a federal power under s51(1) and s92 protects the freedom of trade between the states.
What was the issues with national defence before federation?
- Expansion of France/Germany into Pacific in late 19th C
- SA built Fort Largs in response to fear of Russian invasion
- States had small ineffective defence forces
What was the constitutional response to the issues of defence?
Defence a federal power under s51(6)
What were the issues with immigration before federation?
Concerns over cheap Pacific Island labour and also Asian immigration (see Gold rushes and landings at Robe).
How were issues with immigration responded to within the constitution?
Immigration a federal power under s51(27). One of the first acts of the new federal parliament was the Immigration Restriction Act 1903 (Cth.)
….. Otherwise known as the White Australia Policy
What were the issues with communication prior to federation?
- Communication: concern over uniform postal and telegraphic services
- For ease of transport especially as it pertained to defence and railways (s51(32) and (34))
What was the constitutional response to issues with communication?
Communication a federal power s51(5)
What were the issues with industrial relations prior to federation?
During the 1880s unions became more militant: maritime and shearers’ strikes in late 1890’s.
The union movement supported federation because a central government could set minimum wages.
What was the constitutional response to issues with industrial relations?
(s51(35)) the arbitration power of the federal government.
What were the issues with nationalism prior to federation?
- Most people (other than Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders) spoke English.
- As time passed, and more people were born in Australia, they identified less with England and more as Australian.
- Sir Henry Parkes (Father of Federation) made an address at Tenterfield in 1889 “a nation for a continent and a continent for a nation”
What was the constitutional response to issues with nationalism?
Common currency, uniform banking laws, uniform weights and measures (Sec 51).
Why did it take so long for the colonies to federate?
- Geographical distance made it very hard to communicate and meet.
- 1850’s self-govt colonies unwilling to relinquish this power so soon after getting it.
- Fear of NSW and Vic dominance (especially Tasmania & WA). The colonies were not used to co-operating with each other. They often created trade barriers to increase their own prosperity. They deliberately built different size railroad tracks so that people had to stop at the border.
- Colonial Pride- Each of the colonies were proud of their system of government, and were happy to operate independently.
