The Bathurst Conference (the second "people's convention") met to discuss the 1891 draft constitution.

In 1896, the Bathurst Conference, known as the second "people's convention," was held to discuss and refine the 1891 draft constitution, marking a critical step in the process of Australian federation. This conference brought together delegates from across the Australian colonies to address issues and concerns that had arisen since the initial drafting of the constitution, aiming to forge a more cohesive and widely accepted document. Background: The Need for a People's Convention The first National Australasian Convention in 1891 had produced a draft constitution for the proposed federation of the Australian colonies. However, political disagreements, economic challenges, and a lack of public involvement stalled its progress. By the mid-1890s, there was a renewed push for federation, driven by the need for a unified national policy on trade, defense, and immigration. The Bathurst Conference was organized by the Australian Federation League to reignite the federation process by engaging a broader segment of society, including local politicians, businessmen, and ordinary citizens. This inclusive approach aimed to address the criticisms of the 1891 convention and ensure that the new constitution reflected the will of the people. The Bathurst Conference: Key Discussions and Outcomes Held in Bathurst, New South Wales, from November 16 to 21, 1896, the conference was attended by over 150 delegates. Unlike the previous convention, the Bathurst Conference emphasized public participation and aimed to educate and involve citizens in the federation process. Major Issues Addressed Representation in Parliament: One of the critical debates was the structure of the federal parliament, particularly the representation of smaller colonies versus larger ones. There was a consensus on maintaining a balance to protect the interests of less populous colonies while ensuring fair representation for larger ones. Powers of the Federal Government: Delegates discussed the distribution of powers between the federal government and the states. This included matters such as trade, defense, and immigration, ensuring that the federal government had sufficient authority to govern effectively while respecting the autonomy of the states. Financial Arrangements: The conference also focused on financial relations between the federal government and the states, addressing concerns about revenue distribution and financial management. Judiciary: The role and structure of the High Court were debated to ensure it could function as an independent arbiter in disputes between the states and the federal government. The Influence of the Bathurst Conference The resolutions and discussions from the Bathurst Conference significantly influenced the subsequent constitutional conventions. The conference's emphasis on public involvement and transparent debate helped build wider support for the federation movement. It demonstrated the colonies' commitment to working together to overcome differences and achieve a unified nation. Path to Federation Following the Bathurst Conference, momentum for federation continued to build. The colonial parliaments passed enabling acts, leading to the election of delegates for the 1897-1898 constitutional conventions. These conventions, informed by the debates and resolutions from Bathurst, produced a revised draft of the Australian Constitution. The revised constitution was put to referendums in the colonies between 1898 and 1900. Despite some initial setbacks, the final draft was approved by a majority of voters in each colony. This led to the passage of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act by the British Parliament in 1900, with Queen Victoria giving her royal assent on July 9, 1900. The Commonwealth of Australia was officially proclaimed on January 1, 1901. #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife #BathurstConference #AustralianFederation #AustralianHistory #CommonwealthOfAustralia #ConstitutionalHistory