Proclamation Day

21 October 2890

 

Proclamation Day 21 October 1890 marked Western Australia being granted responsible (self) government.

 

Although it was only a first key step towards democracy, in Western Australia it meant that:

 

  • More people had a say in how they were governed
  • More people had the right to vote (though initially it was only wealthy male landowners)

 

The new Constitution set up the basic components of the State’s system of government including:

 

  • The Parliament
  • The Executive
  • The Judicial system
  • A formal relationship being established between the Governor, Premier, Cabinet and the new Parliament.

 

The new Constitution established Western Australia’s Parliament with two houses:

 

  • The Legislative Council (upper house) and
  • The Legislative Assembly (lower house)

 

This resulted in greater representation of the people in the process of Government. The power to govern was substantially transferred from the Governor to the elected members.

 

Prior to Proclamation Day
By 1885 an increasing number of Western Australian citizens and officials were becoming dissatisfied with the system of government in place and wanted a responsible government where elected members would control the colony’s destiny.

 

During this time bitter arguments took place between then Governor Sir Frederick Napier Broome, and colony officials such as Attorney General AP Hensman, Surveyor General John Forrest and Chief Justice Sir AC Onslow.

 

Governor Broome agreed to co-operate with the Legislative Council in drawing up the Constitution which was then submitted to the House of Commons for approval.

 

At first some members of the House of Commons opposed the granting of responsible government, feeling that such a huge amount of land should not be handed over to so few people.  

 

The new Constitution
The House of Commons finally agreed to pass the necessary Bill and the new Constitution was formally proclaimed on 21 October 1890 by Governor Sir William Robinson who was starting his third term as leader of the colony.

 

The new system of government resulted in the Governor giving up his political power and merely providing advice as the official representative of the Queen, with his role becoming ceremonial rather than political.

 

The old Legislative Council was disbanded and its place was taken by a Parliament consisting of two houses - the Legislative Assembly with its leader being the Head of Government or Premier and the Legislative Council, which acts as the house of review with fifteen members nominated by the Governor.  

 

The First Premier

In 1890, John Forrest was elected as the first Premier of Western Australia and held this position until he entered Federal politics in 1901.

 

For more detailed information please see the 'History' page to read about the following:

  • The history of Proclamation Day
  • The first Proclamation Day celebrations
  • Governor Robinson’s Proclamation Day speech
  • Important Players in the Proclamation Day story

You can also read more about Proclamation Day at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia's website.