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Sir Henry Parkes was important because he was a major figure in the push for Federation of the states in Australia. Because he campaigned for federation of the states, he is referred to as the Father of Federation. Federation would enable Australia to be self-governing, independent of England.

Parkes is remembered for his famous Tenterfield Oration, delivered on 24 October 1889, at the Tenterfield School of Arts. Tenterfield was selected as the place to make his stand as it was part of New South Wales but a long distance away from Sydney. This meant that the town was disadvantaged by the steep tariffs imposed on the transportation of goods across the border to Queensland, where the closer trade centre of Brisbane was located.

His promotion of Federation was based on the fact that it would enable free trade across the borders. Parkes made a significant contribution to the Federation movement in Australia.

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Janelle Nader

Lvl 13
2y ago

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