Democracy’s birth almost locked everyday Australia out
The birth of Australian democracy took place in a room filled almost exclusively with politicians, to the exclusion of the people who gave life to the nation.
The great Antipodean project to unite the six British colonies into a single federation was launched 125 years ago at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building.
However, the ceremonial opening of the first important meeting of the federal parliament was planned to be held at the Victorian Parliament House for a while.
The front page of The Melbourne Herald told the masses that “there will be room only for federal and provincial Members of Parliament and their wives and daughters”.
“The people will be excluded” it was said.
But an event as big as the birth of a new democracy needed those who brought it to life, so it was moved to the only building large enough to host the historic moment.
On May 9, 1901, the autumn sun splashed down on 12,000 faces from the windows of the Royal Exhibition Building.
Those gathered inside and cheering crowds outside celebrated two historic firsts: the opening of the new Commonwealth parliament and the first nation born from the free and peaceful vote of its people.
As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the milestone in the same halls on Saturday, he noted the uniquely Australian combination of practicality and egalitarianism that led to the decision.
“Federation was a people’s movement. It came to life with the votes of the people,” he said.
“And for the work of the new parliament to carry weight and meaning, it also had to belong to the people. We cannot start with a small chamber and a select few people.”
The first day of Australian democracy heralded a lasting lesson in Australia; Mr Albanese said this showed the nation was at its best when it chose to lift people up, not exclude them.
“Every time we followed the national instinct for unity and justice, we got better at it,” he said.
“Every time we break down barriers of disadvantage and discrimination and open doors of opportunity, we are stronger and richer for it.
“And whenever our people choose to engage with the world, in fact, to lead the world, we all benefit.”
And it remained, as the prime minister said, part of our evolving national story as a world leader: the first country to give women the right to vote, a world citizen who created change with the eight-hour day, minimum wage, Medicare and universal pension coverage, and abolished the White Australia policy.
Latin slogans such as Carpe Diem (seize the day) were painted under the dome of the exhibition building to inspire the new parliament and the people it serves.
On the 125th anniversary, Australians are once again invited to seize the day to honor the milestone during festivities over the weekend.
A pop-up exhibition will feature key items from the 1901 federation event, including a four-metre painting by Australian artist Charles Nuttall that has not been seen for 25 years.
A commemorative photograph will be created as a contemporary counterpoint to Nuttall’s 1901 visual record.
