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The Colony of Victoria is the name of the body that governed Victoria from 1851 until Federation in 1901 when it became the State Government of Victoria. Before 1851 the Colony of Victoria was a district of New South Wales known as the Port Phillip District.
In 1851 Port Phillip District separated from New South Wales and renamed itself the Colony of Victoria. As a result of this a Legislative Council was formed to govern the new Colony of Victoria. The first Legislative Council consisted of 30 men, 10 appointed directly by the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Victoria, Charles Latrobe. The remaining 20 men (no women were allowed) were elected to office by wealthy land owners. At this point in time only people who owned a significant amount of land were allowed to vote.
The Legislative Council set about establishing a constitution for the Colony of Victoria, building Parliament House, and was the first place in the world to introduce the secret ballot. The secret ballot aimed to protect people from pressure and punishment about their voting.
In 1855 the Colony of Victoria gained self-governance from Britain and established a parliament modelled on the British Westminster system. The new parliament had two houses: a Legislative Council (upper house) and a Legislative Assembly (lower house).
It was the responsibility of members of the Legislative Council (upper house) and Legislative Assembly (lower house) to debate on legislation and proposals for new laws (called 'bills'). To become law, bills had to be debated and agreed upon by both houses of government and then signed off by the Governor General. Bills generally originated from the Legislative Assembly (lower house).
The political party or coalition of parties who held the most seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) became the government and the leader of their group or coalition was the Premier. One of the main ideas behind having multiple parties and two houses is that it will ensure as many perspectives as possible go into making laws and that the people making and debating these laws represent as many sections of the Victorian community as possible.
Despite the fact that everyone in the Colony of Victoria had to follow the laws made by the parliament only a select group of people were allowed to vote. Up until 1857 only men who owned a large amount of land could vote. After 1857 all male British Subjects over the age of 21 could vote. Women were not permitted to vote until after Federation in 1901. This meant large portions of the population had little say about the people who would represent them in parliament, and as a consequence the kind of laws that would be made.
In 1901 the Colony of Victoria became the State Government of Victoria.
Sources used to compile this entry: Law Research Service, Melbourne Law School, Law Library, The University of Melbourne. 'Find and Connect Project - Victorian Legislation', 1 February 2013, held in the project files at the University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Daniels and Christine Moje
Created: 18 June 2015, Last modified: 23 July 2015
FAQs
Following a brief failed settlement at Sorrento in the early 1800s, it wasn't until 1834 that colonisation in Victoria began, when the Henty brothers established a permanent European settlement at Portland, on Gunditjmara country in the south-west.
Why was Victoria called Victoria? ›
The colony of Victoria, like Queensland, was named after Queen Victoria. She ruled the British Empire – including the six Australian colonies – from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901.
What was the Colony of Victoria in 1851? ›
In July 1851, the District of Port Phillip was established as its own colony, becoming the Colony of Victoria, with its own government within the British Empire. During the 1850s, gold was discovered in Clunes and Buninyong in Ballarat in 1851, which was the start of the Victorian Gold Rush.
Who discovered Victoria? ›
Capt. James Cook made the first recorded sighting of the Victorian coast at Point Hicks in 1770. George Bass (1798), James Grant (1801–02), John Murray (1802), and Matthew Flinders (1802) explored and charted Victorian waters and penetrated Western Port, Portland, and Port Phillip bays.
What is Victoria known for? ›
Victoria, the Capital City of BC, is home to a dynamic, thriving economy and vibrant arts and culture scene, with an unparalleled natural environment enjoyed by residents and visitors. It's a place where sustainability, health and well-being are the cornerstones of creating a prosperous and inclusive future.
Was Queen Victoria a colonialist? ›
Queen Victoria succeeded to the throne at age 18, following the death of her uncle, William IV, in 1837. She was an ardent imperialist and took an intense interest in her colonial subjects. Queen Victoria favoured Confederation and acted as a unifying influence for Canada's provinces.
What was the first thing Victoria did as Queen? ›
One of Victoria's first acts as queen was to have her bed removed from the bedroom she had shared with her mother.
What happened in 1851 in Victorian times? ›
The Industrial Revolution had made Britain a world-leader in industry. And by 1851, Britain was enjoying a semi-golden age of peace and prosperity. The Victorians wanted to celebrate their industrial successes – and to promote them. So, a Great Exhibition was proposed that would showcase the wonders of new technology.
How old was Victoria when she began her reign in 1837? ›
On William IV's death in 1837, she became Queen at the age of 18.
How old was Victoria when he died? ›
Queen Victoria died at the age of 81 on 22 January 1901 at 6.30 pm. She passed away at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
On 10 February 1840, Victoria Married her first cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The royal couple had first met a few days before Victoria's 17th birthday, four years earlier. Victoria and Albert are known for their incredibly close relationship, inspiring dozens of books, films and series.
Did Victoria ever have children? ›
Prince Albert and Queen Victoria had nine children, five girls and four boys, with 17 years between the oldest and the youngest.
Who colonized Victoria BC? ›
British colonists gathered around the fort to hear the newly arrived governor Blanshard read the Royal Commission, appointing him the governor of the first crown colony to be established west of the Great Lakes.
How did Victoria become heir to the British throne? ›
She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. Her father died shortly after her birth and she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in the succession - George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV - had no legitimate children who survived.
How was Australia colonized? ›
British settlement of Australia began as a penal colony governed by a captain of the Royal Navy. Until the 1850s, when local forces began to be recruited, British regular troops garrisoned the colonies with little local assistance.
Was Victoria a penal colony? ›
South Australia and Victoria, established in 1836 and 1850 respectively, officially remained free colonies.
