Why did Queensland not want to federate?

Answer 1

Not all of Queensland was reluctant - it was the sugar cane growers who knew that the intended implementation of an official White Australia Policy (for which legislation was planned) would affect their cheap labor. For decades, north Queensland had employed South Pacific Islanders, referred to as "Kanakas", who were excellent workers, and cheap to employ. Australian workers were more reluctant to labour in the hot Australian sun; they complained about their conditions; and they were required to be paid more, that to the labour unions. Canegrowers did not want to lose their advantage. However, the remainder of Queenslanders wanted to be part of the Federation.

Western Australia was a remote colony, and believed that in matters of trade with the eastern colonies, Western Australia would be disadvantaged and dominated by larger, more empowering colonies like New South Wales and Victoria.

Answer 2

It wasn't that Queensland did not want to join the Federation: it was more that new policies - in particular the White Australia policy - would disadvantage the state. Sugar cane growers along the coast realised that the intended official White Australia Policy (for which legislation was planned) would affect their cheap labor. For decades, north Queensland had employed South Pacific Islanders, referred to as "Kanakas", who were excellent workers, and cheap to employ. Australian workers were more reluctant to labour in the hot Australian sun; they complained about their conditions; and they were required to be paid more, that to the labour unions. Canegrowers did not want to lose their advantage. However, the remainder of Queenslanders wanted to be part of the Federation.