Has the federal Parliament passed the Australian Constitution, or was the British Parliament the only parliament that has passed it?
The Australian Constitution was part of a bill – proposed law – passed by the British Parliament in 1900. The resulting law was called the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. The Constitution came into effect on 1 January 1901, which led to the establishment of the Australian Parliament. The Australian Parliament did not need to pass the Constitution, as it was already a law.
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Description
This image shows the front page of the original public record copy of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. There is a a red ribbon tied in a bow on the left hand side of the document. The paper looks faded from age.
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