Subsequent to Federation in 1901, the Commonwealth Parliament was formed. The grand opening ceremony was held on 9 May 1901 in Melbourne's Exhibition Building. The Commonwealth Parliament continued to sit in Melbourne as the site of the national capital was not yet decided.
design for Canberra's layout
Design of the lay out of the Federal Capital City of Australia as projected by the Departmental Board, 1912. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia: A767, 1.
The New South Wales Government commissioned a report suggesting possible locations for the seat of Government for the new Commonwealth of Australia. The report suggested three places — Bombala, Yass-Canberra, and Orange — which made it to a short list, and suggested others which were rejected: Albury, Tumut, Cooma and Armidale.