What changed during federation?

Answer 1

The federation of Australia in 1901 was significant because of the changes it led to in both positive and negative ways to Australia. Many things were happening before federation that influenced whether federation would occur or not and many things changed over the years after the federation of Australia. Boarder taxes were part of the Australian life before federation, they meant that people wanting to sell or trade goods had to pay a tax if they wanted to go from one state to another, this was set up so the people in the state didn't have to compete with different states cheaper prices, making them pay taxes to sell in that state meaning that people would be more likely to buy local goods because they would be cheaper and more affordable. After federation a free trade agreement was formed meaning it didn't cost money to trade or sell goods in another state. Before federation all of Australia was divided into colonies, every colony defended and looked after themselves making laws and regulations for only their people. The colonial governments distrusted each other and were not in favour of federation until it became apparent to them that it was essential for the future welfare of Australia. Once Australia was federated the colonies were combined and were led by the parliament system we have today. Prior to federation the natives of New Guinea the kanakas were kidnapped and taken to Australia by the Queensland colonies to work in the Queensland sugar cane fields, the kanakas were used for slave labour so Australian shop and factory owners didn't have to pay for workers. The kanakas worked in horrible and dangerous condition until federation. After federation occurred the kanakas were no longer taken from New Guinea. Defence was one of the major reasons for the federation of Australia, Separate colonies restricted Australia's defence prior to federation and as warfare was becoming more common to Australia people became aware that our defence needed to be strengthened, federation would make Australia's defence stronger because the separate colonies would work together to protect Australia. Unity was one of the reasons that people chose to federate to occur in Australia. The colonial governments became more united and a sense of nationalism spread through Australia. This sense of nationalism was why many people chose to make Australia united as a federated country. A desire for a white Australia drove many people to federate Australia. Before Australia was federated there were many people from countries in Australia such as Asians and the kanakas these people from other countries were cheap labour for Australian employers so it was then hard for Australian workers to get jobs because people were only employing cheap labour rather than having to pay more for an Australian worker. The Australian people wanted to federate Australia so these people that they can get jobs to support their families.