On January 1, 1901, the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia federated as the Commonwealth of Australia; Edmund Barton was appointed the first Prime Minister. By establishing the Commonwealth, they established a system of federalism in Australia. The colonies of Fiji and New Zealand were originally part of … Continue reading January 1, 1901 – Six British colonies federate as the Commonwealth of Australia