In 1901, 6 British colonies united to become the Commonwealth of Australia under the Australian Constitution. Learn more about Federation with the PEO.
Here are some of South Australia’s key contributions towards the Federation movement.
Key Politicians and Figures
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir Richard Chaffey Baker KCMG KC
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
- Chairman of Committees for the three 1897-1898 Constitutional Conventions
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Edwin Gordon Blackmore
- Clerk of the Legislative Council in SA, who acted as Clerk for the 1897-1898 Constitutional Conventions
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir John Cox Bray KCMG
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir John Cockburn KCMG
- Attended the 1890 conference in Melbourne to discuss the idea of Federation
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney and contributed to the drafting of the Constitution
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
- Advocated for women to have the right to vote for the Federal Parliament, as South Australian women already had the right to vote
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Sir John William Downer KCMG KC
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney and advocated for the protection of smaller colonies
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Patrick McMahon Glynn KC
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
- Made major contributions to Murray River water rights
- Advocated for standardisation of rail gauges
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir John Hannah Gordon KC
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir Frederick William Holder KCMG
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
Image Credit: State Library of SA
Hon. James Howe
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
- Credited for making the aged pension a Federal responsibility
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Rt Hon Charles Cameron Kingston PC KC
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney and contributed to the drafting of the Constitution
- Presided over the three Constitutional Conventions over 1897-1898
- Proposed the use of referendums to change the Constitution
- Helped draft the formula for the composition of the Houses of Parliament
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Thomas Playford II
- Attended the 1890 conference in Melbourne to discuss the idea of Federation
- Attended the 1891 Constitutional Convention in Sydney and contributed to the drafting of the Constitution
- Supported the title of “Commonwealth” for the new Federation
Hon. Vaiben Solomon
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
Image Credit: Copyright expired – source unverified
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Catherine Helen Spence
- Stood for election for the first Constitutional Convention, making her the first woman to stand for election in Australia
- Advocated for proportional voting systems
State Library of SA
Hon. Sir Josiah Henry Symon KCMG KC
- Attended the 1897-1998 Constitutional Conventions as a delegate for South Australia
The 1897-98 Conventions
Adelaide was the location of the first of three Constitutional Conventions over 1897-1898. It was conducted between 22 March – 5 May 1897 at Parliament House. You can read the debates here.
Delegates at the 1897 Constitutional Convention, taken at the side of Parliament House
Image Credit: State Library of SA
South Australians and the First Federal Parliament
Several Members of the Parliament of South Australia left their seats in the House of Assembly and Legislative Council to run for election and take places in the new Federal Parliament. Members of the South Australian Parliament moving to the first Federal Parliament were:
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon Sir Richard Chaffey Baker KCMG KC
- Originally a Member of the Legislative Council (and served as President)
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
- Holder was the first President of the Federal Senate
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Lee Batchelor
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. David Charleston
- Originally a Member of the Legislative Council
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Sir John William Downer KCMG KC
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Patrick McMahon Glynn KC
- Originally a Member of the Legislative Council
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Sir Frederick William Holder KCMG
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
- Holder was the first Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Rt Hon. Charles Cameron Kingston PC KC
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
- Kingston was the first Minister for Trade and Customs
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Gregor McGregor
- Originally a Member of the Legislative Council
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Thomas Playford II
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
Image Credit: National Library of Australia
Hon. Alexander Poynton OBE
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
Image Credit: Copyright expired – source unverified
Hon. Vaiben Solomon
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1901
Image Credit: State Library of SA
Hon Sir Josiah Henry Symon KCMG KC
- Originally a Member of the House of Assembly
- Became a Member of the Senate in 1901
Sir Langdon Bonython was also one of the first Members of the Federal Parliament. Although he was not a member of the Parliament of SA, Bonython famously donated money to go towards construction of SA’s Parliament House.