Self-government and National Unity

The gold rushes not only brought more people and increased wealth, but caused new settlements to spring up in the interior and led to the building of roads and railways. The increased settlement gave stimulus to the wool and wheat industries. The most important development, however, was the impetus given to demands for self-government and eventually to union of the colonies.

New South Wales in 1855 was the first colony to be granted self-government by the British. Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia followed in 1856; Queensland, in 1859; and Western Australia, in 1890.

After years of being preoccupied each with its own affairs, the colonies came to realize the need for cooperation. Several intercolonial conferences were held, the first in 1863, but the first federal convention did not meet until 1891. During the 1890's, a constitution was drafted and approved by the colonies.

Australia in 1911.Australia in 1911. The map of Australia looked in 1911 much as it looks today. Queensland and the mainland territories were set up. Van Diemen's Land had been renamed Tasmania.

In 1900 the British Parliament passed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, granting the constitution. The former colonies became states united in the federal Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901. The first federal Parliament convened later that year in Melbourne. It continued to meet there until 1927, when it was moved to Canberra, the new federal capital. The early parliaments concerned themselves with fostering nationalism and raising living standards. It was during this period also that a "white only" policy (restriction of nonwhite immigration) was adopted.

Important dates in Australia (1902-1960)
1903 Alfred Deakin became prime minister and furthered the policy of a White Australia.
1907 The Harvester judgment handed down by the Arbitration Court established the concept of a basic wage.
1910 The Labor Party commanded a majority in both federal houses for the first time, forming a government under Andrew Fisher.
1914 World War I began and lasted until 1918.
1916 A referendum asking for conscription for service overseas was rejected, causing a split in the Labor Party and the formation of the Nationalist Party.
1920 The Australian Country Party (now the National Party) first entered federal Parliament.
1930 The Great Depression began.
1931 The Labor Party split for a second time, as four Cabinet members joined with the Nationalists to form the United Australia Party.
1939 World War II began and lasted until 1945.
1949 Robert Gordon Menzies, leader of the Liberal Party, became prime minister in a coalition government. The coalition held power until 1972.
1956 The Summer Olympic Games were held in Melbourne.