Documenting Democracy

Timeline 1900–1926

1900		Australian delegates in London for debate on the Australian Constitution Bill in the British Parliament Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK) The original Australian Constitution Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1900, presented to Australia 90 years later Royal Commission of Assent 9 July 1900 (UK) Signed by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle on 9 July 1900, this beautiful document established the Commonwealth of Australia Western Australia votes 'yes' in Federation referendum Queen Victoria proclaims the inauguration day of the Commonwealth of Australia and appoints Lord Hopetoun as first Governor-General Letters Patent constituting the office of Governor-General 29 October 1900 (UK) Read out to the crowds at the ceremony on 1 January 1901, this document founded the first office of the new nation, that of Governor-General Queen Victoria's Instructions to the Governor-General 29 October 1900 (UK) Last seen in 1946 ... still searching Governor-General appoints Edmund Barton first Prime Minister of Australia

1901		The Commonwealth of Australia is inaugurated on 1 January King Edward VII succeeds to throne after death of Queen Victoria First Federal election Commonwealth Parliament opens in Melbourne Australian flag flown for the first time Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901 (Cth) A document designed to deport 10 000 people Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (Cth) Building the walls of a White Australia that never was

1902		Women in New South Wales win right to vote in State elections Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 (Cth) Defining who counts in our democracy – the right to vote

1903		Women in Tasmania win right to vote in State elections Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) Australians gain a High Court, and lose a Prime Minister

1904		Women in Queensland win right to vote in State elections Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904 (Cth) A fair go – a win for the workers

1906		British New Guinea becomes Commonwealth territory of Papua

1907		Justice Higgins sets male basic wage in Harvester judgement in Conciliation and Arbitration Court Referendum to alter Section 13 of the Australian Constitution successful

1908		Northern Territory Surrender Act 1908 (SA) Second thoughts – a surrender Women in Victoria win right to vote in State elections Site of federal capital decided Seat of Government Act 1908(Cth) A capital site decided

1909		Referendum to alter Section 105 of the Australian Constitution successful Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909 (Cth) Creating federal territory Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909 (NSW) Carving out federal territory

1910		Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910 (Cth) A national challenge Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910 (Cth) Nuts and bolts Referendum held on financial relations between Commonwealth and States Aborigines Act 1910 (Vic) A small step for humanity Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cth) Foundation for law and land

1911		Transfer of the Northern Territory from South Australia to the Commonwealth Supreme Court Ordinance No. 9 of 1911 (Cth) Law and order The Federal Capital Territory officially established

1912		Design competition for Federal capital won by Walter Burley Griffin Special grants started by Commonwealth to Tasmania

1913		Australia's national capital founded and named Canberra

1914		Britain declares war on Germany and the countries of the Empire follow

1915		Anzacs land at Gallipoli Seat of Government Surrender Act 1915 (NSW) The final surrender Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 (Cth) A place at the seaside

1916		Conscription plebiscite lost

1917		Trans-Australian Railway completed with line from South Australia to Perth Prime Minister William M ('Billy') Hughes holds second conscription plebiscite, which is also lost

1918		Armistice suspends hostilities in war and peace negotiations begin The 'Darwin Rebellion' – protestors remove the Northern Territory's Administrator Aboriginals Ordinance No. 9 of 1918 (Cth) When protection meant control

1919		Treaty of Versailles 1919 (including Covenant of the League of Nations) The only international document to shape Australia's constitutional framework

1920		High Court decides Engineers Case, ruling that Commonwealth Arbitration Court decisions are binding on State governments

1921		Edith Cowan elected to Western Australia Parliament, first woman parliamentarian in Australia

1922		Northern Territory Representation Act 1922 (Cth) Citizens, third class Constitution Act Amendment Act 1922 (Qld) A Queensland first: one House Queensland abolishes its Legislative Council, leaving a single-chamber Parliament Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1922 (Cth) Correcting ‘certain errors and misdescriptions’

1924		Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924 (Cth) An Australian first – compulsory voting becomes law Seat of Government (Administration) Act establishes a Federal Capital Commission

1926		Balfour Declaration 1926 (Imperial Conference) Equal in status � and freely associated – a small step for Britain, but a large leap for the Australian people North Australia Commission divides the Northern Territory into northern and southern regions to promote economic development of north (abolished 1931) High Court upholds validity of Act enabling Commonwealth grants to accelerate road building programs in the States

60,000 BC to 1836 | 1837 to 1899 | 1900 to 1926 | 1927 to 1951 | 1952 to 2001 | 2002 onwards

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