The Australian Colonies Government Act (Act for the Better Government of Her Majesty’s Australian Colonies) was passed by the British Parliament in 1850.

This Act, which took effect on 1 July 1851, named the new colony Victoria and provided a Constitution.

The Act granted full self-representative government to Victoria, South Australia and Van Diemen’s Land and authorised two or more colonies to enter into a federal union.

The New South Wales Governor was appointed Governor-General for New South Wales, Victoria, Van Diemen’s Land and South Australia but the Governors never exercised this authority.

Image: Australian Colonies Government Act 1850 (UK), House of Lords Record Office