| 1849 |
Edmund
Barton born in Glebe, Sydney |
|
18571859
|
Attended Fort Street
Model School
|
|
18591864
|
Attended Sydney Grammar
School
|
|
1868
|
Graduates with a
Bachelor of Arts (Classics) University of Sydney
|
|
1870
|
Receives the degree
of Masters of Art from the University of Sydney
|
|
1871
|
Goes to the Bar in
Sydney
|
|
1879
|
Wins Sydney University
Seat in Legislative Assembly of NSW
|
|
1882
|
Represents East Sydney
in the Legislative Assembly
|
|
1883
|
Becomes Speaker of
the Legislative Assembly
|
|
1887
|
Resigns as Speaker
and is nominated for the Upper House
|
|
1891
|
Delegate for NSW
at the Federal Convention in Sydney. Becomes a member of the drafting
committees on the Federation Bill. Resigns from the Upper House in June
and contests and wins East Sydney in the Lower House. In October he takes
over the leadership of the Federal Movement in NSW. Appointed Attorney
General in October and retains right to private practice.
|
|
1893
|
In July the Central
Federation League is formed in Sydney. In October Barton resigns from
the position of Attorney General.
|
|
1893
|
Defeated for the
seat of Randwick.
|
|
1894-1896
|
Works tirelessly
for the Federation movement.
|
|
1897
|
In March is elected
to the Australasian Federation Convention. In April the drafting committee
produces a draft Constitution.
|
|
1898
|
Draft Constitution
Bill to be put before the British Parliament is rejected by referendum
in June. In September Barton wins the by-elections for the seats of Hastings
and Macleay and is elected Leader of the Opposition.
|
|
1899
|
Enabling Act for
a second referendum on the draft Constitution is passed. On 29 June the
draft Constitution Bill succeeds in the referendum.
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|
1900
|
Barton leads delegates
to London where the British Parliament passes the Bill. Barton is commissioned
to form the first ministry on 31st of December 1900.
Western Australia
votes yes in Federation referendum.
|
|
1901
|
The Federal Parliament
is officially opened in Melbourne and Edmund Barton is appointed first
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Commonwealth troops
sent to the Boer war.
Franchise Act extends
the right to vote to women over the age of twenty-one but excludes the
Indigenous peoples of Australia.
King Edward VII succeeds
the throne after the death of Queen Victoria.
Pacific Island Labourers
Act passed.
Immigration Restriction
Act passed.
|
|
1902
|
Created Knight Grand
Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
|
|
1903
|
Resigns office as
Prime Minister and is appointed judge to the High Court of Australia.
Judiciary Act passed.
|
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1904
|
Conciliation and
Arbitration Acts passed.
|
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1914
|
Australia joins Britain
in declaring war on Germany.
|
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1918
|
The armistice is
signed ending World War I.
|
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1920
|
Dies suddenly of
heart failure in the Blue Mountains.
|