Isabella Carter
The Australian Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, is the fundamental law that governs the political structure of Australia. It establishes the country as a federation under a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 at a series of conventions attended by representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia. The final draft was then approved by each state in referendums from 1898 to 1900. On 9 July 1900, Queen Victoria signed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, marking a significant day in Australia's history as the nation's birth certificate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date the Australian Constitution was signed | 9 July 1900 |
| Date the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act came into effect | 1 January 1901 |
| Date of the first Constitution Day | 9 July 2000 |
| Date Australia became independent of the British Parliament and legal system | 1986 |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Victoria's signature
On the 9th of July, 1900, the Australian Constitution was signed into law by Queen Victoria, marking a pivotal moment in the country's history and setting the foundation for its system of government. This signature was a culmination of a decades-long process of drafting, debating, and refining the document that would shape Australia's future.
The significance of Queen Victoria's signature extended beyond its legal implications. It symbolized the recognition of Australia's emerging nationhood and the transition from a collection of separate colonies to a unified nation. The Constitution, with the Queen's signature, provided a framework for the country's governance, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the federal government, the states, and the establishment of key institutions.
The process leading up to Queen Victoria's signature involved extensive collaboration and negotiation among the colonies. Drafts of the Constitution were debated and amended, addressing concerns and ensuring a balance of powers between the states and the federal government. The final document, consisting of 128 sections, was a comprehensive charter of government that outlined the rights and responsibilities of both the governed and the governing.
Following Queen Victoria's signature, the Australian Constitution came into force on January 1, 1901, marking the official birth of the Commonwealth of Australia. This date also marked the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign as the first monarch of the Australian Commonwealth, further solidifying the connection between the British monarchy and the newly established nation.
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Royal Assent
The Australian Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, is the fundamental law that governs the political structure of Australia. It establishes the country as a federation under a constitutional monarchy governed by a parliamentary system. The Constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 at a series of conventions attended by representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The drafting of the Australian Constitution marked an attempt to unite the people of these six disparate British colonies and create one nation. This process was driven by a sense of growing national pride, as identified by Sir Henry Parkes, who is often referred to as the "Father of Federation". Many colonial Australian politicians shared his vision of establishing solid foundations for a national system of government through peaceful means.
The final draft of the Constitution was approved by each state in a series of referendums from 1898 to 1900, with the votes of 573,865 people in the six Australian colonies. This was a historically significant process, as the Australian Constitution was the first national constitution in the world to be put to a popular vote. The agreed-upon Constitution was then transmitted to London, where, on July 9, 1900, Queen Victoria signed her Royal Assent, marking her agreement with the document. This date is now observed as Constitution Day in Australia, although it is not a public holiday.
The Royal Assent was signed in duplicate at the request of the Australian delegation, so that one copy could remain in the United Kingdom and the other could be brought back to Australia. The document was signed at Windsor Castle, and Queen Victoria presented the Australian copy, along with the pen, inkstand, and table used in the ceremony, to Edmund Barton, the spokesman for the Australian delegates. The writing table, made of brass and ebony with gilded ormolu decoration and a surface of tan morocco leather, has been used for rare ceremonies since and can be seen in photographs of the Commonwealth inauguration ceremony in Centennial Park, Sydney, on January 1, 1901. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 came into effect on this date, marking the birth of an independent Australia and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia.
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Drafting of the Constitution
The Australian Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, is the fundamental law that governs the country's political structure. It establishes Australia as a federation under a constitutional monarchy governed by a parliamentary system. The Constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 at a series of conventions attended by representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The drafting of the Constitution was a significant step towards unifying the six disparate British colonies and creating a single nation. The process began with a series of conferences promoted by Sir Henry Parkes, the premier of New South Wales, who is often referred to as the "Father of Federation." The first conference was held in Melbourne in 1890, followed by another in Sydney in 1891. By this time, the movement for federalism had gained momentum, and discussions turned to the proper system of federal government. A draft constitution was drawn up at the 1891 conference under the guidance of Sir Samuel Griffith. However, these early meetings lacked popular support.
The final draft of the Constitution was approved by each state in a series of referendums from 1898 to 1900. This process included the votes of 573,865 people in the six Australian colonies in the referenda of 1899 and 1900, making the Australian Constitution the first national constitution in the world to be put to a popular vote. The agreed-upon Constitution was then transmitted to London, where it received Royal Assent from Queen Victoria on July 9, 1900, a date now known as Constitution Day.
Constitution Day is observed in Australia to commemorate the signing of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 by Queen Victoria. The day was first held on July 9, 2000, to mark the centenary of the Constitution in the lead-up to the Centenary of Federation. While it is not a public holiday, it holds historical significance as it represents the birth of an independent Australia, achieved through federation. The Commonwealth of Australia was officially established on January 1, 1901, when the Constitution Act came into effect.
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The 'birth' of Australia
The birth of Australia, also known as the 'Federation', was a remarkable political achievement that marked the establishment of an independent Australia. The journey towards federation was long and challenging, but it culminated in the creation of a unified nation from six disparate British colonies.
The idea of a unified Australia was conceived during a series of conferences in the 1890s, promoted by Sir Henry Parkes, the premier of New South Wales. These conferences, attended by most colonial leaders, aimed to discuss the growing sense of national pride and the need for a federal system of government. The federalist cause gained momentum, and a draft constitution was drawn up under the guidance of Sir Samuel Griffith. However, these early attempts lacked popular support.
Between 1891 and 1898, representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania—met at constitutional conventions to draft legislation that would unite the colonies. This process resulted in the creation of the Australian Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution. The Constitution established the country as a federation under a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. It set out the structure and powers of the federal-level government's three components: the Parliament, the Executive Government, and the Judicature.
The Constitution was then approved by each state in referendums from 1898 to 1900, with the votes of 573,865 people in the six colonies. On July 9, 1900, Queen Victoria signed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, giving her Royal Assent. This date, known as Constitution Day, is considered the 'birth' of Australia, as it marked the first time a national constitution was put to a popular vote. The Commonwealth of Australia was officially established on January 1, 1901, when the Constitution Act came into effect, and huge celebrations were held across the nation.
While the Australian Constitution marked a significant step towards independence, some constitutional links to the United Kingdom remained. The ability of the UK to legislate for Australian federal law was restricted by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, and Australia's adoption of this statute in 1942 further asserted its independence. However, it was not until the passage of the Australia Act in 1986 that all remaining constitutional ties with the UK were severed, leaving Australia fully independent of the British Parliament and legal system.
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Australia's independence
Australia's journey to independence began in the late 19th century, when a growing sense of national pride and Australian identity emerged. This was accompanied by concerns about the increasing presence of German and French colonies in the Pacific. Sir Henry Parkes, often referred to as the "Father of Federation", played a pivotal role in promoting a series of conferences to discuss federalism, with the first held in Melbourne in 1890 and another in Sydney in 1891. These conventions were attended by representatives of six self-governing British colonies: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The drafting of the Australian Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, took place between 1891 and 1898. It was an ambitious endeavour that aimed to unite the disparate British colonies and create a single nation. The constitution was designed to establish a federation under a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. It outlined the structure and powers of the federal level of government, encompassing the Parliament, the Executive Government, and the Judicature.
The process of achieving independence was not without its challenges, and the path to federation encountered obstacles along the way. However, the votes of 573,865 people in the six Australian colonies during the referendums of 1899 and 1900 marked a significant step towards the "birth" of Federation. On July 9, 1900, Queen Victoria signed the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, giving her Royal Assent. This date, known as Constitution Day, holds historical significance as it marked the first time a national constitution was put to a popular vote.
While the Commonwealth of Australia was established on January 1, 1901, when the Constitution Act came into effect, Australia's complete independence from the British Parliament and legal system was achieved later. The Statute of Westminster, passed by the UK in 1931, restricted Britain's legislative power over Australia, and its adoption into Australian law through the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act in 1942 further solidified Australia's independence. However, some constitutional ties to the United Kingdom remained, and it was only in 1986 with the passage of the Australia Act that all remaining links were severed, leaving Australia fully independent.
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Frequently asked questions
9 July 1900.
Queen Victoria.
The Commonwealth Constitution.
Constitution Day is observed on 9 July, the date Queen Victoria assented to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act in 1900.
The Australian Constitution is the fundamental law that governs the political structure of Australia. It establishes the country as a federation under a constitutional monarchy governed by a parliamentary system.
