Conversation so far:
where was australia's first federal government formed
The 1901 Australian federal election for the inaugural Parliament of Australia was held in Australia on Friday 29 March and Saturday 30 March 1901.
what resulted for the federal election for the inaugural Parliament of Australia
The federation of the colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia came into effect on 1 January 1901 to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Question: were there parties contesting the election
Self-contained rewrite: were there parties contesting the federal election for the inaugural Parliament of Australia