alternatehistory.com

Suppose in the lead up to Federation, that there were some intractable differences.

Mainly in the rivalry between New South Wales and Victoria.

The former want Sydney to be the capital, the latter Melbourne. And the OTL compromise doesn't occur - they continue to be obstinate...

Ultimately two Federations occur...

One led by New South Wales
The other by Victoria.

A guess of a TL:

May 1898
Queensland announces that they would join New South Wales, but not Victoria in a Federation.

June 1898
South Australia announces that they would join Victoria, but not New South Wales in a Federation.

August 1898
Tasmania announces that they would join with New South Wales and Queensland, so that they wouldn't be dominated by Melbourne.

September 1900
Queen Victoria signs the enabling Acts for the two Federations.

1 January 1901
The Commonwealth of Australian States, incorporating NSW, Qld and TAS is officially established with its capital in Sydney. It's Constitution is the most similar to the OTL constitution.

1 February 1901
The Confederation of Australasian Provinces, incorporating Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand is officially established with it's capital in Melbourne. Australasia is less centralised than the other polity.


Western Australia remains out of both Federations for the time being...
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