2. Federation: The Birth of a Nation Prior to 1901, every inhabitant of Australia was a British subject living in one of six colonies Each colony was a separate political entity Own identity Own government and political institutions Own defence organisations Own business structures All colonies were self-governing. This means that the colonies had the power to make their own laws: Transport Immigration Defence
3. Reasons for Federating REASONS AGAINST Colonies were concerned that federation would mean surrendering some of their powers Colonies were suspicious of each other All colonies were used to pursuing their own individual self-interest Inter-colonial rivalry REASONS FOR The inefficiency of the tariffs system A growing sense of unity among colonists A belief that a national government was needed to deal with issues such as trade, immigration, currency, weights and measures and the administration of the Northern Territory Fear of growing German and French expansionism in the South Pacific Joining together would make the colonies, and their separate defence forces, less vulnerable to attack and foreign invasion.
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5. In September 1900, Queen Victoria proclaimed that the Act and the new federation would come into force on 1 January 1901
7. 1 January 1901 Australia federates. The colonies become States, giving up some of their powers, but remaining independent. A Federal (Commonwealth) Parliament is established.
18. Each of these functions should be exercised by one organ of government, with no overlap, so that each can then act as a check and balance on the others
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20. Some members of Parliament are also members of the government
21. Parliament delegates some law-making power to government departments and Executive Council
26. It ensures that the government is answerable and accountable to the Parliament (and therefore the people).
27. Thus, the system of responsible government is DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE EXECUTIVE, WHICH IS NOT ITSELF ELECTED, IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE TO THE ELECTORS (VOTERS)
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29. At a federal election, the party or coalition with a majority of members elected to the House of Representatives forms the government. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.
30. The PM appoints some Members of Parliament to become Ministers.
32. Ministers work with their corresponding government department to develop policies and implement laws passed by the Parliament.
33. For example the Minister for Defence works with the DepartmentofDefence to implement laws about defence matters.
34. In addition, a small group of those Ministers forms the Cabinet (also known as the Executive Council), which is the chief governmental policy-making body.
35. In cabinet meetings, ministers introduce proposals for new bills from their departments. The cabinet discusses proposals for new bills – especially the costs - and recommends to the minister whether a bill should proceed or further changes should be made.
36. Sometimes the cabinet sets up a sub-committee of ministers to examine an issue in greater detail.
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39. Ministers are obliged to answer questions in Parliament concerning their departments
40. Ministers are in theory obliged to resign if their performance is found unsatisfactory
This Act made Federation legally possible Enabled the six Australian colonies, which were still subject to British law, to form their own Commonwealth Government as set out by the ConstitutionThe Constitution detailed the structure and powers of the Commonwealth Government and defined how it and the colonies, which now became states, would share power and responsibility.
