Federation and The Australian Military

The legislation of early Federation partly embodied the expectations of the founding fathers. In other ways, however, it deflected from, or overwhelmed, anything the founders seemed to have contemplated.

On March 1st 1901 the Commonwealth assumed control of the Naval and Military Forces of the States by proclamation under Section 69 of the Constitution. From that date the defence of Australia became the responsibility of the Federal Government.

Historians have nominated defence as one of the main reasons for federating. The great demand for increased security by means of an Australia wide system of defence is also said to have given incentive, reinforced and ultimately led to the success of the Federation movement.