SIR EDMUND BARTON

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Edmund Barton cut a fine figure at the opening of the first Federal Parliament. Almost 52, he had a portly dignity and a heroic profile, with a head of wavy hair. Suave, witty, charming, but quietly determined, he was very much a man of the world.

But The Bulletin, in the larrikin style of the era, had nicknamed him 'Tosspot Toby' because of his taste for strong liquors, while wowsers deplored his interest in the raffish world of art and the theatre. He enjoyed sophisticated company in clubs such as the Athenaeum - discussing ideas, literature and the arts.

His enemies claimed he was lazy and that he neglected his legal practice to dabble in more frivolous pursuits. They pointed out that, in 1899, his friends had to rally round to pay his debts and educate his six children. But his supporters said he was a devoted husband and father, unable to enrich himself as a barrister because he gave so much time to the cause of federation.

Born at Glebe in Sydney on 18 January 1849, Barton was the son of an English accountant and a mother who was unusually well educated for those days. Young Barton, nicknamed 'Toby' from his earliest schooldays, was an excellent student. He won various prizes and a scholarship in his progress through Sydney schools and the University of Sydney. He graduated with honours in classics in 1868 and as MA in 1870.

In 1871, he founded a successful legal practice and, like many another lawyer, soon became interested in politics. Elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1879, he became the youngest-ever Speaker of the House at the age of 34. For four years, he presided with tact and good humour over an often turbulent assembly.

During his early parliamentary career, the long-debated issue of federation became an increasingly heated subject in the political arenas of Australia. The question was whether Australia should remain a loose collection of six colonies, which might even evolve into six separate nations, or whether they should submerge their doubts and jealousies and federate into a single nation. Arguments for and against federation raged in pubs and clubs, and in shearing sheds and colonial parliaments'. Most Australians were ardent supporters of one side or the other.

Barton, convinced that federation was the key to Australia's future, allied himself to the Federalists led by Sir Henry Parkes. When Parkes retired from politics in 1891, Barton had been such a vigorous campaigner for the cause that he was the natural successor to the old man.

Barton had found the mission which lifted him out of the ruck of colonial politicians. For 10 years he devoted himself physically and intellectually to federation, in a way which made nonsense of his enemies' sneers about his 'laziness'. He inspired the formation of the Australasian Federation League, which played a vital role in moulding public opinion. In those days of arduous travel, he stumped the country to deliver almost 300 speeches at League meetings throughout New South Wales. At Ashfield, he encapsulated the federation movement in the words: "For the first time in history, we have a nation for a continent and a continent for a nation".

Undiscouraged by parliamentary rejection of the first Constitution Bill, he and his colleagues fought to keep the movement alive. In 1897, as Leader of the Federal Convention, he presided over a new Constitution Bill but saw it lose in a national referendum.

Once more, Barton argued through the clauses of a Constitution Bill which would be acceptable to Australians. The Bill had to cover innumerable explosive issues, including the location of a Federal capital, but it was at last accepted in Australia. Barton and his colleagues then had to negotiate it through the Westminster Parliament. On 9 July 1900, Queen Victoria assented to the Act which established the Commonwealth of Australia.

But Lord Hopetoun, the first Governor-General, astounded Barton's supporters by a decision that the Premier of New South Wales, the premier state, should be the first Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. So many senior politicians rebelled that Hopetoun had to commission Barton instead.

Barton led the Protectionist Party, which started to tackle the problems of Australian defence, creation of courts to adjudicate on the Constitution and on industrial relations, a unified tariff system and the implementation of the White Australia Policy being demanded by many Australians. But Barton himself was weary, worried about his health and deeply in debt. He tended to leave much of the work to others, until he resigned from Parliament to become a senior puisne judge in the new High Court. He continued to be a respected public figure until his death in 1920.

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