Australia's Arguments Against Federation

Australia's federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate. Before 1901 Australia did not exist as a nation. It was six British colonies, which were self-governed, but under the power of the British Parliament. The colonies were almost like six separate countries. In the 1880s there was so much disorganisation within this system, which caused a belief that a national government was, needed to deal with issues such as trade, defence and immigration saw popular support for federation grow.

Immigration, transport, trade and taxes, and growing national pride were the three main reasons Australia needed to federate. Fear of coming under foreign attack, and concern over being invaded by non-white immigrants were major factors, which encouraged support to Federate. Despite the fact that several colonies already had implemented laws, which restricted immigrants from certain countries, all of the colonies were keen to strengthen their policies. In this time, there were many prejudgments against the Chinese and Pacific Islanders. The Chinese immigrated during the gold rush period, in the 1850s and from 1863; Pacific Islanders were also brought to Australia to work in the hot conditions in the sugarcane fields. People believed that foreign workers took jobs away from them.

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The Arguments against Federation were that organisations argued against federation. They felt that it would be expensive to set up and that the new central parliament would also be costly to run, which would make taxes higher. Some people were devoted to their own colony and had negative feelings towards others. People living in the smaller colonies were worried that the federated nation would be dominated by the wealthy and powerful colonies. New South Wales opponents of federation worried that a federal government would have relaxed immigration laws, which would allow more non-white people to come to