Focus question
DeQ9 Why would the security of the Australasian Commonwealth be threatened if the colony of Tasmania refused to federate?

IN FAVOUR: A TASMANIAN POINT OF VIEW

… To my mind – from a Tasmanian point of view – the question is, not how much money we may stand to lose by joining the Federation, but rather, can we afford to stand out should one or two of the other colonies agree to federate.

Should Tasmanians say 'no' to the proposal to federate under such circumstances, what would be the result? Instead of being an independent state in a great national Commonwealth, enjoying all the advantages of free intercourse, and free interchange of commodities with communities of people over three millions strong, we should be an isolated and solitary island population, living pretty well upon and with ourselves; without aspiration, excepting to tax everybody who may come within our reach. The harbours of the Commonwealth would be closed against our ships, and against our commerce; the people of the Commonwealth would regard us as pariahs - outcasts from national advancement – and healthful patriotic sentiment, a country unworthy of consideration, excepting in so far as it can be made profitable use of. A worthless stone lying in the pathway of Australasian greatness, to be kicked aside as an impediment to the onward march towards national power and glory.

Beyond this, Tasmania would be regarded as a standing menace to the safety of the great Australasian Commonwealth. The population too poor, or too parsimonious to defend themselves, the island would be open to capture by any enterprising enemy, and so become a base of hostile operations against Australasia. Such a position would not be likely to engender kindly feelings towards us amongst our continental neighbours. …

T.C. Just, Launceston Examiner, 12 May 1898, cited in Scott Bennett (ed.), Federation, Cassell Australia, North Melbourne, 1975, pp. 109-10.