Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 268
1844
petition by the six Legislative Council representatives of the Port Phillip District for
separation
1846
proclamation of the Colony of North Australia
1847
Earl Grey's first proposals for the government of the Australian colonies
1848
territory comprised in North Australia reattached to New South Wales
Earl Grey's second proposals for the government of the Australian colonies
City of Melbourne elects Earl Grey to the Legislative Council
1850
the Australian Colonies Government Act passed by the British Parliament
franchise extended by halving the property qualifications
first sod of the first Australian railway turned at Sydney
1851
the Imperial Australian Colonies Government Act took effect in New South Wales on
13 January
new Legislative Council under the Australian Colonies Government Act became a
House of 54 members, two-thirds of whom were to be elected
Declaration and Remonstrance of the out-going Legislative Council against the Act
of 1850 (May 1851)
Colony of Victoria (the former Port Phillip District) separated from the Colony of New
South Wales effective from 1 July
New South Wales divided into 31 Electoral Districts
petipn to the Queen of the new Legislative Council (December 1851) affirming the
grievances expressed in the earlier Declaration and Remonstrance
start of gold rushes in New South Wales and Victoria
1852
first Select Committee appointed to draft changes to the Constitution
1853
second Select Committee appointed to draft a new Constitution
new Constitution for New South Wales drafted and accepted by the Legislative
Council
Moreton Bay declared a residency with Captain Wickham as the first Government
Resident
1855
the Constitution Act of 1853, as amended, assented to by Her Majesty the Queen on
16 July 1855 and proclaimed on 24 November
New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania all granted responsible
government
opening of the first Sydney railway
1856
the New South Wales Parliament became bicameral with an appointed Council
(Upper House) of no less than 21 Members and an elected Assembly (Lower House)
of 54 Members
first elections under the new Constitution to elect 54 Members to the Legislative
Assembly from 32 electoral districts held between 11 March-19 April
responsible government officially commenced on 22 May in New South Wales with
the opening and sitting for the first time of the new bicameral Parliament
first responsible Ministry, the Donaldson Ministry, sworn in
Norfolk Island transferred to jurisdiction of the Governor of New South Wales
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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