The case that changed Australian constitutional history Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (“Engineers’ case”) [1920] HCA 54; (1920) 28 CLR 129 (31 August 1920) Facts A union of engineers commenced a claim in the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration against Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd for Read more…
Australasian Federal Convention, Sydney, 1891, National Library of Australia, an14293711 The records of the Australasian Federation Conference of 1890 and the Australasian Federal Conventions of 1891 and 1897/8 are among the most significant founding documents of the Australian nation. At the Australasian Federation Conference held in Melbourne from 6 to Read more…
Australia′s first flag was chosen from a national flag competition held in 1901. Initially started by the Melbourne monthly magazine The Review of Reviews for Australasia, the new Federal Government announced a further competition (Gazetted 29 April 1901) and the earlier competition entries were transferred and the prize was increased Read more…
In the mid 1880’s efforts to join the separate Australasian colonies into an Australian Commonwealth Federation increased. The earlier NSW / Australian Ensign was slightly modified and revived for use on land and in printed materials to promote federation, particularly in NSW and Queensland. It was used by such groups Read more…
Queen Victoria’s Letters Patent, signed on 29 October 1900, established the first Commonwealth office, that of her representative, the Governor-General. The Letters Patent declare the powers of the Governor-General to constitute and appoint Judges and Ministers of State, and grant the use of a private seal. With the Constitution Act, Read more…
When Queen Victoria signed this document on 9 July 1900, the Bill providing for the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia became law, enacting the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act and the founding of the Commonwealth. The Commission of Assent, with the original Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act and the Read more…
The Constitution of the Australian Commonwealth, is the supreme law under which the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia operates. When Great Britain settled Australia, they brought with them their central form of Governance that had operated for centuries. Before Federation, Australia consisted of six Colonies. Turning six Colonies into Read more…
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act reminds us that we are a Commonwealth, formed for the common good under English Common Law. We are all in this together. We became the Commonwealth of Australia to make a better society for the good of all the people. Commonwealth as defined in Read more…
The first ever Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Australia pictured here from the Review of Reviews September 1901. Reverse side was designed by Blamire Young.