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Peter Lalor 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. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy

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Where did Peter lalor live?

He lived in Ireland but moved to Australia


Where is Peter Lalor buried?

Peter Lalor, leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion in 1854, is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery, Victoria, Australia. For photos of his grave, see link below.


What was Peter Lalor involved in?

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. 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. Although the rebellion itself failed in its objective, it gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry was conducted and changes were implemented. These included abolition of monthly gold licences, 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. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy. (source: today.wmit.net - December 3)


Why was Peter lalor remembered?

no


Did peter Lalor have children?

No Peter didn't have children.

Related Questions

How did peter lalor change Australia's democracy?

Peter Lalor was an a rebel and, later, politician who rose to fame for his leading role in the Eureka Rebellion, an event controversially identified with the "birth of democracy" in Australia. He is famous for being the only outlaw to make it to parliament.


What year did Peter Lalor become Prime Minister of Australia?

Peter Lalor never became Prime Minister of Australia. He was largely responsible for the development of democracy in Australia. Australia did not have a Prime Minister until 1901. Peter Lalor was active in the movement towards democracy from 1854 onwards, and died in 1889.


How did Peter Lalor and the Eureka stockade bring change to colonial Australia?

boo


Why did peter lalor come to Australia?

because he wanted to start mining in Australia


How did peter and the eureka stockade change the lives of people who lived in Australia?

If not for Peter lalor we would not get sick leaves or unions.


What were the effects of Peter Lalor during the Eureka Stockade?

what affect did peter lalor and the Eureka Stockade have on colonial Australia


How did peter laor and the eureka stockade change the live of people who live in Australia?

If not for Peter lalor we would not get sick leaves or unions.


Where did peter lalor migrate from?

he migrated from Ireland to australia


What part of Australia did peter Lalor work in?

Melbourne


How did the Peter lalor and the eureka stockade change democracy?

It gave electoral representation in the Victorian parliament to people other than landowners.


What did Peter Lalor help Australia with?

Peter Lalor was an Irish immigrant, born in 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. 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.


Where did Peter lalor live?

He lived in Ireland but moved to Australia