(a) Yes. Although federation took place in 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia did not become fully independent of British lawmakers until the 1980's.

Even after federation, Australia remained a colony - although it was self-governing, it was still subject to the power of laws enacted by the British government. It was only after the British government enacted the Australia Act of 1986 that these limits on Australia's independence were removed.

This illustrates the cautious and carefully staged way in which Australia finally achieved sovereign nationhood.