What was Peter Lalor's involvement in the Eureka stockade?

Answer 1

Peter Lalor was an Irish immigrant, born on 5 February 1827, who initially worked on the construction of the Melbourne - Geelong railway line, but soon joined the gold rush and began mining in the Ovens Valley, and then in Ballarat.

Conditions on the Australian goldfields were extremely harsh, like over-crowded dustbowls. Over-priced goods and equipment from traders, together with the excessively high cost of mining licences, exacerbated discontent and unrest, particularly when miners were subjected to frequent, surprise checks of their licences.

Due to the deplorable conditions on the goldfields, and the lack of miners' rights and representation in government, Lalor was unofficially "elected" on 30 November 1854 to be a more militant leader and voice for the diggers. Lalor led the rebellion that later became known as the Eureka Stockade, and the birthplace of Australian democracy.

The Eureka Stockade rebellion itself failed in its objective, but it gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry was conducted and changes were made. These included the abolition of monthly gold licences, replaced by an affordable annual miner's licence. Troopers' numbers were reduced significantly, and Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Peter Lalor and another representative, John Basson Humffray, were elected for Ballarat. Later, Lalor was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy.