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For Peace, Order and Good Government: The first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
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9 May 1901
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Edmund Barton
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Members of the First Parliament

Edward Pulsford

Edward Pulsford (1844-1919)

Senator for New South Wales 1901-1910

Born in Burslem, Staffordshire, England, Edward Pulsford migrated to Sydney in 1884 and established himself in business. A regular contributor to leading newspapers on commercial matters, and owner of the Armidale Chronicle 1890-98, Pulsford became a leading proponent of free trade in New South Wales, publishing newspaper articles, pamphlets and several books on the subject. In 1885, with B.R.  Wise, he established the Freetrade and Liberal Association of New South Wales. An active federationist, Pulsford was concerned with the cost of federation to New South Wales. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council 1895-1901.

In 1901 Pulsford was elected as a Freetrader to represent New South Wales in the Senate at the first federal election. He held his seat in the Senate until his defeat in 1910 and was known for his controversial views on Asian immigration. Pulsford voted against the 1901 Immigration Restriction Bill and supported Japanese protests about the White Australia policy.

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