The move to federation was not an easy one; there was lots of debating and disagreement, as Alfred Deakin wrote in 1900 “its accomplishment must always appear to have been secured by a series of miracles”. It was not until the late 1880s that a movement towards federation really started to gather strength. Before this the colonies held the believe that federation would do little for them, they were too busy in there own local problems. …showed first 75 words of 491 total…

…showed last 75 words of 491 total…did not live long enough to see the Commonwealth of Australia. He died in 1896. The Commonwealth of Australia was officially named on the 1st of January 1901 with Edmond Barton named unofficially Prime Minister. The first Commonwealth election was in March in 1901 and that was when Edmond Barton was officially named Prime Minister. A year later in 1902 woman were given the right to vote. BIBLIOGRAPHY Landmarks The Macmillan Company of Australia PTY LTD 1969 Ghostworks Longman Cheshire 1990