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Question

Difficulty: Very hardVictoria

In the decades following the Federation of the Australian colonies into a single nation, the state of Victoria held a unique administrative position that bridged its colonial past with the new Commonwealth. Which of the following accurately describes the constitutional and historical arrangement for the national seat of government involving Victoria during this period?

  1. Melbourne served as the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Parliament for twenty-six years, hosting the national government from Federation in 1901 until the move to Canberra in 1927.Answer
  2. B
    Melbourne was designated as the permanent federal capital under the 1901 Constitution, but this status was later revoked and transferred to Canberra following a national referendum in 1927.
  3. C
    The Commonwealth Parliament met in Melbourne only for the inaugural 1901 session, after which the administrative functions were rotated between all state capitals until Canberra was finalized in 1927.

Answer

Melbourne served as the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Parliament from 1901 until 1927, while the national capital in Canberra was being established.
The correct answer accurately identifies both the duration (26 years) and the nature (temporary seat of parliament) of Melbourne's role as the national capital from the birth of the nation in 1901 until 1927.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical event of 1901
Federation of the Australian colonies occurred in 1901.
Establishing the timeline is necessary to understand the transition from colonies to a nation.
2
Recall the location of the early federal government
Melbourne was chosen as the initial location for the Commonwealth Parliament.
This identifies the specific role Victoria's capital played in the early Commonwealth.
3
Determine the duration and nature of this role
The role was temporary and lasted until 1927.
This distinguishes between the permanent capital (Canberra) and the temporary seat of government (Melbourne).
4
Synthesize the timeline with the relocation reason
The government moved to Canberra in 1927 once the new capital was ready.
This confirms the complete historical context required by the question.

Key Concept

Melbourne's role as the temporary national capital (1901-1927)
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Topics

Victoria

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