Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 269
1857
requirement for a two-thirds majority for the amendment of the Constitution
abolished by section 2 of Act 20 Vic No.10
1858
following the lead of South Australia (1856) and Victoria (1857) New South Wales
granted full manhood suffrage to every male over 21 years of age
Police and serving members of naval and military services banned from voting
secret ballot introduced in New South Wales (previously introduced in 1856 in South
Australia and Victoria and earlier that year in Tasmania)
the property qualification for members of the Legislative Assembly abolished
number of Members of the Legislative Assembly increased to 80
telegraphic communication established between Sydney and Melbourne
1859
Moreton Bay (the Northern Districts or Northern Province) separated from New
South Wales and proclaimed a separate colony named Queensland
the number of Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly dropped to 72
when Queensland erected as a separate Colony with its own Parliament
1860
Premier Forster's Bill to reconstruct the Legislative Council defeated
1861
Constitutional crisis — the first swamping of the Legislative Council
first life Members appointed to the Legislative Council
John Robertson's Land Acts, embodying the principle of free selection before survey,
passed
territory of New South Wales (north of 26th parallel of south latitude and between
141st and 138th meridian of east longitude) annexed to Queensland
1863
Northern Territory separated from New South Wales and annexed to South Australia
1865
while the Australian Colonies could repeal or amend British laws which had been
received into the Colonies in 1828, under the Colonial Laws Validity Act they were
still bound by any British statutes which applied "by express words or by necessary
intendment" to the Colonies
1874
the Triennial Parliaments Act reduced the duration of Parliaments from five year to
three years
1880
the Electoral Act provided for 72 electorates with 108 Members
1889
Members of the Legislative Assembly to be paid an allowance of £300 per annum as
reimbursement of expenses incurred in discharge of their parliamentary duties
1890s
emergence of political parties
movement towards Federation of Australian colonies
1890-91
electoral reform bills introduced into Parliament which included provision for
women's vote but were defeated
1891
35 members of the Labour Electoral League elected to the Legislative Assembly
National Australasian Convention held in Sydney agreed to the name
'Commonwealth of Australia' and adopted a draft Constitution
74 electorates represented by 141 Legislative Assembly Members
266
State Records Authority of New South Wales
