Why was Peter Lalor so important to Australia?

Answer 1

Peter Lalor was famous because he led the miners in the Eureka Stockade.

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, during which 22 diggers and 5 troopers died. Despite its apparent failure, though, the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry followed and changes were made. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by a much more affordable annual miner's licence. There were fewer troopers on the goldfields, and intrusive spot-checks ceased.

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.

Answer 2

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. Previous delegations for miners' rights had met with resistance from the Victorian government, so on 30 November 1854, Lalor was elected as a more militant leader. The result was the Eureka Stockade.

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.

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.

Answer 3

Peter Lalor was important to Australia becaus of his influence over the development of a democratic representation system for everyone in Australia. He was the leader of the miners' rebellion in Ballarat which came to be known as the Eureka Stockade rebellion. This is considered the birthplace of Australian democracy.

The Eureka Stockade occurred in Ballarat, Victoria, during the early years of the Australian goldrush. In the event, the gold miners rebelled against the miner's licence, which cost a monthly fee of 30 shillings and allowed the holder to work a meagre 3.6 metre square "claim". Licences had to be paid whether or not a digger found any gold. There were frequent licence hunts, during which the miners were ordered to produce proof of their licences, and this increased the sense of unrest, particularly as punishments could be harsh.

Miners had sent previous delegations to the Victorian government, but the government refused to act on their behalf so, on 29 November 1854, the miners burned their licences in a mass display of resistance against the laws which controlled the miners. Following a widespread licence hunt the following day, on November 30, Irish immigrant and goldminer Peter Lalor was chosen to lead the rebellion.

On December 1, the miners began to construct a wooden barricade, a rather flimsy stockade from which they planned to make their stand against further licence arrests or other unreasonable displays of authority. Early in the morning on Sunday, 3 December 1854, 276 police and military personnel and several civilians stormed the stockade. It's unknown which side fired first, but ultimately 22 diggers and 5 troopers died in the battle that followed.

Despite its apparent failure, the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. Following a Commission of Enquiry, changes were put in place. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by an affordable annual miner's licence. The numbers of troopers 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.

Answer 4

Peter Lalor was a leading figure in the early goldrush days, so there was only one way he could possibly come to Austalia, and that was by ship.

Lalor arrived in Australia in 1852, after the famine saw mass migrations from Ireland. Peter and his brother Richard travelled to Australia, attracted by the goldrushes, while three other brothers emigrated to North America.

Answer 5

Peter Lalor came to Australia with his brother Richard.