Parliament of Victoria
... one of the things of the KellyGang story
Importance of the Parliament
English Parliamentary democracy was well established in Victoria by at least the late 1860s.
The parliament is made up of the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by most adult males and the upper house or Legislative Council which was elected by land owners.
The newspapers reported on the doings of politics with some vigour. See example (Alexandra2/6/1868)
Building Parliament House (T&C15/6/1872)
Role of the Parliament in the story of the KellyGang
During the time of the KellyGang there was considerable political tension. The Berry Government (Radical Party) came to power with a mandate to support selectors but as its term continued things did not get better. The Parliament was used as a forum for criticism directed against land and cattle thieves, the Irish and Catholics. The Constiutional Party - the conservatives opposed the Royal Commission.
In response to the murder of Sgt Kennedy and Const Lonigan and Scanlon at Stringybark Creek on 26/10/1878 by the [[../K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|KellyGang]] Parliament passed the Felons Apprehension Act on 30/10/1878.
The Act was in operation at the time of the Glenrowan siege according to Sup Hare. He explained that it became inoperative as soon as Parliament dissolved. The Governor gave the dissolution on the Saturday, and on the Monday morning the outlaws were shot; it was in operation up to that Saturday morning, and directly the House dissolved that Act expired. (RC1485)
Call for a Royal Commission (Argus26/11/80)
Election
Where were the polling places (Argus29/8/67)
Parliament was dissolved on 9/6/1876
Parliament was dissolved and an election was called on 28/6/1880 (MDTel29/6/1880)
Parliament was porogued in April 1883
After the Royal Commission
After the report was made public the issues raised were discussed in Parliament. (Argus16/11/81)
Request that report of the inquiry about James Wallace be tabled in Parliament (Argus15/12/81)
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