Timeline of Australian history 967552 225507121 2008-07-14T01:36:28Z Tanthalas39 1080237 Reverted [[WP:AGF|good faith]] edits by [[Special:Contributions/58.178.170.50|58.178.170.50]]; Unsourced addition. ([[WP:TW|TW]]) {{History_of_Australia/Chronological}} This is a '''timeline of [[Australia]]n history'''. ==[[Before Christ|BC]]== *c. 68,000 BC-40,000 BC: [[Aboriginal]] tribes thought to have arrived in Australia. ==1600s== *[[1606]] (March): The Duke of York's ship ''[[Duyfken]]'', under Captain [[Willem Janszoon]], explores the western coast of [[Cape York Peninsula]]. The first recorded landfall by a European on Australian soil. *[[1606]] (August): Portuguese seaman [[Luis Vaez de Torres]] sails through the [[Torres Strait]], between Australia and [[New Guinea]], along the latter's southern coast. He may well have sighted the northernmost extremity of Australia, although this is not recorded. Torres reported 'shoals', some of which may have been the northernmost atolls of the Great Barrier Reef. The name 'Coste Dangereuse', for the tropical Queensland coast, appears on French charts. *[[1616]]: Dutch captain [[Dirk Hartog]] in the [[Eendracht (1615 ship)|''Eendracht'']] makes the second recorded landfall by a European, at [[Dirk Hartog Island]] on the western coast of Australia. Leaves behind the [[Hartog plate]]. *[[1623]]: Dutch captain [[Jan Carstenszoon|Jan Carstensz]] navigates the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]] aboard the [[Pera (ship)|''Pera'']] and [[Arnhem (ship)|''Arnhem'']]. The ''Arnhem'' crosses the Gulf to reach and name [[Groote Eylandt]]. *[[1642]]: Dutch explorer [[Abel Tasman]] explores the west coast of [[Tasmania]], lands on its east coast and names the island [[Van Diemen's Land|Anthoonij van Diemenslandt]]. *[[1688]]: English explorer [[William Dampier]] explores the west coasts of Australia. *[[1696]]: Flemish explorer [[Willem de Vlamingh]] charts the southwestern coast of Australia, making landfall at [[Rottnest Island]] and the site of the present-day city of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]. ==1700s== *[[1770 in Australia|1770]]: English Lieutenant [[James Cook]]'s expedition in [[HM Bark Endeavour|HM Bark ''Endeavour'']] charts the eastern coast, and claims it for the [[British Crown]]. *[[1788 in Australia|1788]]: The [[First Fleet]] from England under [[Arthur Phillip]] arrives in Australia and founds first European settlement and [[penal colony]] at [[Sydney Cove]] ([[Sydney]]). [[New South Wales]], according to Arthur Phillip's amended Commission dated [[25 April]] 1787, includes "all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean" and running westward to the 135th meridian. These islands included the current islands of [[New Zealand]], which was administered as part of [[New South Wales]]. *[[1788 in Australia|1788]]: An English settlement is founded at [[Norfolk Island]]. *[[1792 in Australia|1792]]: Two French ships, ''La Recherche'' and ''L'Espérance'', anchor in what was named Recherche Bay, near the southernmost point of [[Tasmania]] at a time when England and France were racing around the globe to be the first to discover and colonise Australia. *[[1797 in Australia|1797]]: ''[[Sydney Cove (ship)|Sydney Cove]]'' wrecked and some survivors travelled from Bass Strait to Port Jackson allowing for the rescue of others but also furthering knowledge of the geography of Australia ==1800s== *[[1803 in Australia|1803]]: [[Matthew Flinders]] completes the first [[circumnavigation]] of the continent. *[[1804 in Australia|1804]]: A settlement is founded at [[Risdon, Tasmania|Risdon]] on the [[Derwent River, Tasmania|Derwent River]] in Australia by Lieutenant Bowen. *1804: [[Castle Hill convict rebellion]] also known as the second Battle of Vinegar Hill *1804: The settlement is moved to Sullivan's Cove in Van Diemen's Land (now [[Hobart]] in [[Tasmania]]) by Colonel [[David Collins (governor)|David Collins]]. *[[1808 in Australia|1808]]: The [[Rum Rebellion]] *[[1813 in Australia|1813]]: Blaxland, Lawson and [[William Wentworth|Wentworth]] cross the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]]. *Matthew Flinders calls New South Wales (Australia's old name) Australia *[[1817 in Australia|1817]]: [[John Oxley]] charts the [[Lachlan River]]. *1817: Australia's first bank the Bank of New South Wales opens in Macquarie Place, Sydney. (Became [[Westpac]] in 1982) *[[1818 in Australia|1818]]: Oxley charts the [[Macquarie River]]. *[[1824 in Australia|1824]]: A penal colony is founded at [[Moreton Bay]], now the city of [[Brisbane]]. *1824: [[Bathurst Island|Bathurst]] and [[Melville Island, Northern Territory|Melville Island]]s are annexed. *[[1825 in Australia|1825]] [[New South Wales]] western border is extended to 129° E. [[Van Diemen's Land]] is proclaimed. *[[1828 in Australia|1828]]: [[Charles Sturt]] charts the [[Darling River]]. *[[1829 in Australia|1829]]: The whole of Australia is claimed as British territory. The settlement of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] is founded. [[Swan River Colony]] is declared by [[Charles Fremantle]] for [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]]. *[[1830 in Australia|1830]]: Sturt arrives at [[Goolwa]], having charted the [[Murray River]]. *[[1831 in Australia|1831]]: Sydney Herald (later to become [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]) first published. *[[1832 in Australia|1832]] [[Swan River Colony]] has its name changed to [[Western Australia]]. *[[1833 in Australia|1833]]: The penal settlement of [[Port Arthur, Tasmania|Port Arthur]] is founded in Van Dieman's Land. *[[1835 in Australia|1835]]: [[John Batman]] and [[John Pascoe Fawkner]] establish a settlement at [[Port Phillip]], now the city of [[Melbourne]]. *[[1836 in Australia|1836]]: Province of [[South Australia]] [[Proclamation|proclaimed]] with its western border at 132° E. *[[1841 in Australia|1841]] [[New Zealand]] is proclaimed and is no longer under [[New South Wales]]. *[[1842 in Australia|1842]]: [[Copper]] is discovered at [[Kapunda, South Australia|Kapunda]] in [[South Australia]]. *[[1845 in Australia|1845]]: The ship ''[[Cataraqui]]'' is wrecked off [[King Island]] in [[Bass Strait]]. It is Australia's worst civil maritime disaster with 406 lives lost. *[[1845 in Australia|1845]]: [[Copper]] is discovered at [[Burra, South Australia|Burra]] in [[South Australia]]. *[[1850 in Australia|1850]]: [[Western Australia]] becomes a penal colony. *1850: Australia's first university, the [[University of Sydney]], is founded. *[[1851 in Australia|1851]]: Victoria separates from [[New South Wales]]. *1851: The [[Victorian gold rush]] starts when gold is found at Summerhill Creek and [[Ballarat]]. *[[1851 in Australia|1851]]: [[Forest Creek Monster Meeting]] of miners at Chewton near [[Castlemaine, Victoria|Castlemaine]] *[[1853 in Australia|1853]]: [[Bendigo Petition]] and [[Red Ribbon Rebellion]] at [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]] *[[1854 in Australia|1854]]: The [[Eureka Stockade]] *[[1855 in Australia|1855]]: The transportation of convicts to [[Norfolk Island]] ceases. *[[1856 in Australia|1856]] [[Van Diemen's Land]] name changed to [[Tasmania]]. *[[1857 in Australia|1857]]:Victorian Committee reported that a 'federal union' would be in the interests of all the growing colonies. However, there was not enough interest in or enthusiasm for taking positive steps towards bringing the colonies together. *[[1858 in Australia|1858]]: Sydney and Melbourne linked by [[Electric Telegraph]]. *[[1859 in Australia|1859]]: ''[[SS Admella]]'' wrecked off south-east coast of [[South Australia]] with the loss of 89 lives. *[[1859 in Australia|1859]]: Australian football rules codified, Melbourne Football Club founded *[[1859 in Australia|1859]]: [[Queensland]] separates from [[New South Wales]] with its western border at 141° E. *[[1860 in Australia|1860]]: [[John McDouall Stuart]] reaches the centre of the continent. [[South Australian]] border changed from 132° E to 129° E. *[[1861 in Australia|1861]]: The ill-fated [[Burke and Wills]] expedition occurs. *[[1862 in Australia|1862]]: Stuart reaches [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Port Darwin]], founding a settlement there. [[Queensland]]'s western border is moved to 139° E. *[[1863 in Australia|1863]]: [[South Australia]] takes control of the [[Northern Territory]] which was part of the colony of [[New South Wales]]. *1867: Gold is discovered at [[Gympie, Queensland]]. *[[1868 in Australia|1868]]: The transportation of convicts to [[Western Australia]] ceases. *[[1872 in Australia|1872]]: [[Australian Overland Telegraph Line|Overland Telegraph Line]] linking [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] and [[Adelaide]] opens. *[[1873 in Australia|1873]]: [[Uluru]] is first sighted by Europeans, and named Ayers Rock. *[[1875 in Australia|1875]]: ''[[SS Gothenburg]]'' strikes Old Reef off North [[Queensland]] and sinks with the loss of approximately 102 lives. *[[1879 in Australia|1879]]: The first congress of trade unions is held. *[[1880 in Australia|1880]]: The [[bushranger]] [[Ned Kelly]] is hanged. *1880: Parliamentarians in Victoria become the first in Australia to be paid for their work. *[[1883 in Australia|1883]]: The opening of the [[Sydney]]-[[Melbourne]] railway *1883: Silver is discovered at [[Broken Hill, New South Wales|Broken Hill]] *[[1887 in Australia|1887]]: An Australian [[cricket]] team is established, defeating [[UK|Britain]] in the first [[Ashes series]]. *[[1889 in Australia|1889]]: The completion of the railway network between [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]]. *1889: [[Henry Parkes|Sir Henry Parkes]] delivers the [[Tenterfield Oration]]. *[[1890 in Australia|1890]]: The Australian Federation Conference calls a constitutional convention. *[[1891 in Australia|1891]]: A National Australasian Convention meets, agrees on adopting the name "the Commonwealth of Australia" and drafting a [[Constitution of Australia|constitution]]. *1891: The first attempt at a federal constitution is drafted. *1891: The Convention adopts the constitution, although it has no legal status *1891: A severe depression hits Australia *[[1892 in Australia|1892]]: Gold is discovered at [[Coolgardie, Western Australia]]. *[[1893 in Australia|1893]]: The [[Corowa Conference]] (the "people's convention") calls on the colonial parliaments to pass enabling acts, allowing the election of delegates to a new constitutional convention aimed at drafting a proposal and putting it to a referendum in each colony. *[[1895 in Australia|1895]]: The premiers, except for those of [[Queensland]] and [[Western Australia]], agree to implement the Corowa proposals. *1895: ''[[Waltzing Matilda]]'' is first sung in public, in [[Winton, Queensland]] *1895: [[Banjo Paterson]] publishes ''[[The Man from Snowy River (poem)|The Man from Snowy River]]'' *[[1896 in Australia|1896]]: The [[Bathurst Conference]] (the second "people's convention") meets to discuss the [[1891]] draft constitution *[[1897 in Australia|1897]]: In two sessions, the Second National Australasian Convention meets (with representatives from all colonies except [[Queensland]] present). They agree to adopt a constitution based on the 1891 draft, and then revise and amend it later that year. *[[1898 in Australia|1898]]: The Convention agrees on a final draft to be put to the people. *1898: After much public debate, the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian referendums are successful; the New South Wales referendum narrowly fails. Later New South Wales votes "yes" in a second referendum, and Queensland and Western Australia also vote to join. *1899: The decision is made to site the national capital in [[New South Wales]], but not within 100 miles of [[Sydney]]. *1899: The [[Australian Labor Party]] holds office for a few days in Queensland, becoming the first trade union party to do so anywhere in the world. ==1900s== *[[1900 in Australia|1900]] - Several delegates visit [[London]] to resist proposed changes to the agreed-upon constitution. *1900 - The constitution is passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] as a schedule to the [[Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act]], and is given royal assent *[[1901 in Australia|1901]] - Australia becomes a federation on [[January 1]]. [[Edmund Barton]] becomes [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]; Lord Hopetoun becomes [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] *1901 - The first parliament meets in [[Parliament House, Melbourne]] *1901- Immigration Restriction act was introduced- The White Australian Policy *[[1902 in Australia|1902]] - The ''[[Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902|Franchise Act]]'' guarantees women the right to vote in federal elections (by this stage, most states had already done this). However, it excludes most non-European ethnic groups, including [[indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] people. *1902 - [[Breaker Morant]] is executed for having shot Boers who had surrendered *[[1903 in Australia|1903]] - The [[High Court of Australia]] is established with [[Samuel Griffith]] as the first [[Chief Justice of Australia|Chief Justice]]. *1903 - The ''Defence Act'' gives the federal government full control over the [[Australian Army]] *1903 - [[Alfred Deakin]] elected Prime Minister *[[1904 in Australia|1904]] - A site at [[Dalgety, New South Wales]] chosen for the new national capital *1904 - [[Chris Watson]] forms the first federal [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] (minority) government *[[1906 in Australia|1906]] - Australia takes control of south-eastern [[New Guinea]] *[[1908 in Australia|1908]] - [[Dorothea Mackellar]] publishes ''My Country'' *1908 - The Dalgety proposal for the national capital is revoked, and [[Canberra]] is chosen instead *[[1909 in Australia|1909]] - The first powered aeroplane flight in Australia is made. ===1910s=== *[[1910 in Australia|1910]] - Andrew Fisher forms the first federal majority Labor government. *[[1911 in Australia|1911]] - The [[Royal Australian Navy]] is founded *1911 - The [[Northern Territory]] comes under Commonwealth control, being split off from [[South Australia]] *1911 - The first national census is conducted. *1911 – [[Australian Capital Territory]] proclaimed. *[[1912 in Australia|1912]] - Australia sends women to the [[Olympic Games]] for the first time *1912 - [[Walter Burley Griffin]] wins a design competition for the new city of [[Canberra]] *[[1913 in Australia|1913]] - The foundation stone for the city of Canberra is put in place *[[1914 in Australia|1914]] - Australian soldiers are sent to the [[World War I|First World War]]. This was first time Australians had fought for Australia, as opposed to Britain. *[[1915 in Australia|1915]] - Australian soldiers land at Anzac Cove on the [[Gallipoli]] Peninsula in Turkey *1915 - Jervis Bay Territory comprising 6,677 hectares surrendered and becomes part of the Australia Capital Territory. *[[1915 in Australia|1915]] - [[Surfing]] is first introduced to Australia *[[1916 in Australia|1916]] - Hotels are forced to close at 6 p.m., leading to the beginning of the "[[six o'clock swill]]" *1916 - The Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, the forerunner to the [[RSL|Returned and Services League]] is founded *1916 - The Labor government under [[Billy Hughes]] splits over [[conscription]]. First referendum on conscription is rejected *[[1917 in Australia|1917]] - Second referendum on conscription is rejected *1918 - First World War ends ===1920s=== *[[1920 in Australia|1920]] - The airline [[Qantas]] is founded *[[1921 in Australia|1921]] - [[Edith Cowan]] becomes the first woman elected to an Australian parliament *[[1922 in Australia|1922]] - [[The Smith Family]] charity is founded in [[Sydney]] *[[1923 in Australia|1923]] - ''[[Vegemite]]'' is first produced *[[1926 in Australia|1926]] - The first [[Miss Australia]] contest is held *[[1927 in Australia|1927]] - The tenth parliament is formally opened in [[Canberra]], finalising the move to the new capital *[[1928 in Australia|1928]] - [[Bert Hinkler]] makes the first successful flight from [[UK|Britain]] to [[Australia]], and [[Charles Kingsford Smith]] makes the first flight from the [[United States]] to Australia *[[1929 in Australia|1929]] - Western Australia celebrates its centenary *[[1929 in Australia|1929]] - Labor returns to office under [[James Scullin]]. The [[Great Depression in Australia|Great Depression hits Australia]]. ===1930s=== *[[1930 in Australia|1930]] - [[Don Bradman]] scores a record 452 not out in one [[cricket]] innings *1930 - [[Phar Lap]] wins his first [[Melbourne Cup]] *[[1931 in Australia|1931]] - [[Douglas Mawson|Sir Douglas Mawson]] charts 4,000 miles of [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] coastline and claims 42% of the icy mass for Australia *[[1932 in Australia|1932]] - The [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] opens *1932 - the Labor government falls and [[Joseph Lyons]] becomes Prime Minister *[[1933 in Australia|1933]] - [[Western Australia]] votes at a rerefendum to secede from the Commonwealth, but the vote is ignored by both the Commonwealth and British governments *[[1936 in Australia|1936]] - The last [[Thylacine]] dies *[[1937 in Australia|1937]] - The radio series ''[[Dad and Dave]]'' begins *[[1938 in Australia|1938]] - Sydney hosts the [[Empire Games]], the forerunner to the [[Commonwealth Games]] *[[1939 in Australia|1939]] - Australia enters the [[Military history of Australia during World War II|Second World War]] *1939 - The first flight is made by an Australian-made warplane, the [[Wirraway]] *1939 - Victoria is devastated by the [[Black Friday (1939)|Black Friday bushfires]] *1939 - Lyons dies in office and is succeeded by [[Robert Menzies]] ===1940s=== *[[1940 in Australia|1940]] - A team of scientists, under [[Howard Florey]], develops [[penicillin]] *[[1941 in Australia|1941]] - Labor comes to power under [[John Curtin]] *[[1942 in Australia|1942-43]] - [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] planes make almost 100 attacks against sites in the [[Northern Territory]], [[Western Australia]] and [[Queensland]]. (See also: [[Japanese air attacks on Australia, 1942-43]]) *1942 - National [[daylight saving]] is introduced as a war time measure. *1942 - The UK ''Statute of Westminster'' is formally adopted by Australia. The Statute formally grants Australia (along with [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]], and the [[Irish Free State]]) the right to pass laws that conflict with UK laws. *[[1943 in Australia|1943]] - Australia wins its first [[Academy Awards|Oscar]], with cinematographer [[Damien Parer]] being honoured for his coverage of the war *[[1944 in Australia|1944]] - The [[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme]] is introduced, providing subsidised medicine to all Australians *[[1945 in Australia|1945]] - Australia becomes a founding member of the United Nations *1945 - The [[Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race]] is held for the first time *1945 - Curtin dies in office and is succeeded by [[Ben Chifley]] *[[1946 in Australia|1946]] - Minister for Immigration [[Arthur Calwell]] introduces the major post-war immigration scheme *1946 - An Australian, [[Norman Makin]], is voted in as the first President of the [[United Nations Security Council]]. *[[1948 in Australia|1948]] - Australian Minister for External Affairs, Dr. [[H.V. Evatt]] is elected President of the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. *1948 - Australia becomes a signatory to the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]. *[[1949 in Australia|1949]] - Construction of the [[Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme]] begins *1949 - Indigenous Australians who are eligible to vote in State Elections in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are also given the right to vote in Federal Elections. *1949 - The Nationality and Citizenship Act is passed. Rather than being identified as subjects of Britain, the Act established Australian citizenship for people who met eligibility requirements. *1949 - Menzies returns to power as leader of the new [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] ===1950s=== *[[1950 in Australia|1950]] - Australian troops are sent to the [[Korean War]], as well as to fight a communist insurgency in Malaya *[[1951 in Australia|1951]] - Australia signs the [[ANZUS]] treaty with the [[United States]] and [[New Zealand]] *1951 - Voters reject a referendum to change the Constitution to allow the Menzies Government to ban the [[Communist Party of Australia|Communist Party]] *[[1952 in Australia|1952]] - First [[nuclear test]] conducted in Australian territory by the United Kingdom off the coast of [[Western Australia]]. *[[1954 in Australia|1954]] - [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] and [[Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] make a royal visit; the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] diplomat [[Vladimir Mikhaylovich Petrov (diplomat)|Vladimir Petrov]] defects, leading to the [[Petrov Affair]] and another split in the Labor Party *[[1955 in Australia|1955]] - Hotels in New South Wales no longer have to close at 6 p.m., ending the "[[six o'clock swill]]" *[[1956 in Australia|1956]] - [[Melbourne]] holds the [[1956 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] [[1959 in Australia|1959]] - ===1960s=== *[[1962 in Australia|1962]] - Indigenous Australians gain the right to vote in all states except Queensland; Australia enters the [[Vietnam War]] *[[1963 in Australia|1963]] - Indigenous Australians are given full rights as citizens. * [[1964 in Australia|1964]] - [[The Beatles]] tour Australia; 82 sailors die when [[HMAS Voyager (D04)|HMAS Voyager]] sinks [[Melbourne-Voyager collision|after being rammed]] by [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS Melbourne]]; the editors of ''[[Oz (magazine)|Oz]]'' magazine are charged with obscenity; PM Robert Menzies announces the reintroduction of compulsory military service for men 18-25 * [[1965 in Australia|1965]] - Indigenous Australians gain right to vote in state of Queensland *[[1966 in Australia|1966]] - The ban on the employment of married women in the Commonwealth Public Service is lifted; Menzies retires as Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister and is succeeded by [[Harold Holt]]. *[[1966 in Australia|1966]] - [[Decimalisation]]; on *[[14 February]] the Australian currency is changed to dollars and cents, with the [[Australian Dollar]] replacing the [[Australian pound]]. *[[1967 in Australia|1967]] - large areas of [[Hobart]] and south-eastern [[Tasmania]] are devastated by bushfires on [[7 February]] that kill 62 people; Prime Minister Holt drowns and is succeeded by [[John Gorton]]; Aboriginal Australians gain the right to citizenship after a referendum to allow the federal government to legislate for them is supported by over 90% of the population; [[Sydney]] is rocked by a series of brutal underworld killings; [[talkback radio]] is introduced; British comedian [[Tony Hancock]] commits [[suicide]] in Sydney; [[Gough Whitlam]] becomes leader of the Labor Party *[[1968 in Australia|1968]] - Australia signs the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; Aboriginal boxing champion [[Lionel Rose]] defeats Masahiko "Fighting" Harada in Japan to become the world bantamweight champion; Australia's first [[liver]] [[Organ transplant|transplant]] operation is performed in Sydney; *[[1969 in Australia|1969]] - French conceptual artist [[Christo]] 'wraps' [[Little Bay]] in Sydney; renowned author-artists [[Norman Lindsay]] and [[May Gibbs]] die; the Australian production of the rock musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]'' premieres in Sydney; top pop groups [[The Easybeats]] and [[The Twilights]] break up; [[Tim Burstall]] directs''[[2000 Weeks]]'', the first all-Australian feature released since Charles Chauvel's ''[[Jedda]]'' in [[1958 in Australia|1958]] ===1970s=== *[[1970 in Australia|1970]] - More than 200,000 people participate in the largest demonstrations in Australian history, against the [[Vietnam War]] *[[1971 in Australia|1971]] - [[Neville Bonner]] becomes the first [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] to become an Australian Member of Parliament; [[John Gorton]] resigns and is succeeded by [[William McMahon]] * 1971 - The [[1971 Springbok tour]] sparks protest all throughout Australia. Premier of Queensland [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]] declares a [[state of emergency]] in QLD in response to escalating protest. *[[1972 in Australia|1972]] - The [[Commonwealth Arbitration Commission]] rules that women doing the same job as men have the right to be paid the same wage. *1972 - Aboriginal Tent Embassy erected in response to the Coalition government's approval of exploration licences and mining tenements on reserves *1972 - The first [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] government since 1949 is elected under the leadership of [[Gough Whitlam]] *1972 - Australia recognises the [[People's Republic of China]] *[[1973 in Australia|1973]] - The [[Sydney Opera House]] is opened *1973 - The White Australian Policy (established 1901) is officially dismantled *1973 - The federal voting age is dropped from 21 to 18 *1973 - Unionists save the historic "[[The Rocks]]" area of [[Sydney]] from demolition by introducing "[[Green Bans]]" *1973 - [[Patrick White]] becomes the first Australian to win the [[Nobel Prize for Literature]] *[[1974 in Australia|1974]] - [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] is devastated by [[Cyclone Tracy]] *[[1975 in Australia|1975]] - A [[Australian constitutional crisis of 1975|constitutional crisis]] occurs when [[Malcolm Fraser]] blocks supply, bringing the nation to a standstill until [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] [[John Kerr (Governor-General)|John Kerr]] dismisses Prime Minister [[Gough Whitlam]]. Fraser wins elections and becomes Prime Minister * 1975 - The 'Privy Council (Appeals from the High Court) Act'' removes the right to appeal High Court decisions to the British [[Privy Council]]. Appeals to the Privy Council direct from State Supreme Courts remain until 1988. *[[1975 in Australia|1975]] - South Australia becomes the first state in Australia to legalise homosexuality between consenting adults in private. *1975 - Whitlam government introduced the Aboriginal Land (NT) Bill into Parliament. The bill proposed land rights in the Northern Territory based on land claimed on grounds of need as well as traditional affiliation and traditional landowners maintaining control over mining and development. *[[1976 in Australia|1976]] - The [[Australian Capital Territory]] legalises homosexuality between consenting adults in private. *[[1977 in Australia|1977]] - ''[[Advance Australia Fair]]'' becomes Australia's official [[national anthem]] *[[1978 in Australia|1978]] - The First Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras kicks off in Sydney - People were arrested. *[[1979 in Australia|1979]] - Australian women win the right to [[maternity leave]] *1979 - [[Kakadu National Park]] and the [[Great Barrier Reef Marine Park]] are both proclaimed. ===1980s=== *[[1980 in Australia|1980]] - Baby [[Azaria Chamberlain disappearance|Azaria Chamberlain]] disappears from a campsite at Ayers Rock (Uluru), reportedly taken by a dingo. The Coalition wins the [[Australian federal election, 1980|1980 Australian federal election]]. *[[1981 in Australia|1981]] - A referendum is held in Tasmania to vote for whether or not the Franklin Dam should be built. *[[1982 in Australia|1982]] - [[1982 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]] held in Brisbane. The [[National Gallery of Australia]] is opened. *[[1983 in Australia|1983]] - Australia wins the [[America's Cup]]; [[Bob Hawke]] defeats Fraser and leads Labor back to government. The [[Australian Dollar]] is floated. The [[Ash Wednesday fires]] kill 71 people. *[[1984 in Australia|1984]] - ''[[Advance Australia Fair]]'' is proclaimed as Australia's national anthem. The one dollar coin is introduced. Labor wins the [[Australian federal election, 1984|1984 Australian federal election]]. [[Medicare (Australia)|Medicare]] is established. *[[1985 in Australia|1985]] - The government grants the freehold title of a large area of land in central Australia, including prominent landmarks [[Uluru]] and [[Kata Tjuta]], to the Mutitjulu people, who in turn give them a 99-year lease. The last state to do so (New South Wales) abolishes capital punishment. *[[1986 in Australia|1986]] - The ''[[Australia Act 1986|Australia Act]]'' removes the right of appeal from State courts to the British Privy Council, making the High Court the final court of appeal in Australia. The Act also removes all remaining rights of the UK parliament to pass law for Australia. [[Anita Cobby Murder]] in Sydney. [[Russell Street Bombing]] in Melbourne. ''[[Crocodile Dundee]]'' is released in Australia. *[[1987 in Australia|1987]] - [[Hoddle Street Massacre]] kills 7 victims and injures 19, [[Queen Street Massacre]] kills 8 victims and injures 5. Sir [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]] resigns as Premier of Queensland after 19 years at the top. *[[1988 in Australia|1988]] - Australia celebrates its [[Australian_Bicentenary|bicentenary]], with large celebrations and major funding for capital works projects. The new [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] opens. Federal referendums on 4-year parliamentary terms, recognition of local government and other issues are defeated. Brisbane hosts [[World Expo]] '88. *[[1989 in Australia|1989]] - Newcastle Earthquake kills 13 people. ACT gains self-Government. The [[Kempsey bus crash]] and [[Grafton bus crash]] kill a total of 56 people. ===1990s=== *[[1990 in Australia|1990]] - [[Royal Australian Navy]] deployed in preparation for the [[First Gulf War]]. [[Carmen Lawrence]] becomes the first female premier of an Australian state. Labour wins the [[Australian federal election, 1990|1990 federal election]]. *[[1991 in Australia|1991]] - Prime Minister Bob Hawke is replaced by [[Paul Keating]]. Seven people die in the [[Strathfield massacre]]. Prominent heart surgeon [[Victor Chang]] is gunned down. The [[Coode Island]] chemical storage facility in [[Melbourne]] explodes, leaving a toxic cloud hanging over the city for days. *[[1992 in Australia|1992]] - The High Court delivers the [[Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992)|Mabo Decision]], which rules that indigenous native title does exist. This effectively extinguishes the concept of ''[[terra nullius]]''. New South Wales Premier [[Nick Greiner]] resigns. *[[1993 in Australia|1993]] - Keating defeats [[John Hewson]] in the [[Australian federal election, 1993|1993 federal election]]; the [[Australian Greens]] stand candidates for the first time. *[[1994 in Australia|1994]] - *[[1995 in Australia|1995]] - The [[Northern Territory]] legalises voluntary [[euthanasia]], but it is overruled by the federal government when Liberal MP [[Kevin Andrews (Australian politician)|Kevin Andrews]] proposes the [[Euthanasia Laws Bill 1996]] *[[1996 in Australia|1996]] - The High Court hands down the [[Wik Decision]], which holds that indigenous native title can survive the granting of pastoral leases. *1996 - Liberal [[John Howard]] becomes Prime Minister, defeating [[Paul Keating]] after a record 13 years of Labor government *1996 - All Australian states and territories agree to introduce uniform gun laws following the deaths of 35 people in the [[Port Arthur massacre (Australia)|Port Arthur massacre]] *[[1997 in Australia|1997]] - Expelled Liberal MP [[Pauline Hanson]] forms the [[One Nation Party]] *[[1997 in Australia|1997]] - On the [[1 May]] 1997 Tasmania finally legalises homosexuality between consenting adults in private after a nine-year battle, the last Australian state to do so, also maintaining a law so there is 'constituting no defence' for any person who practices anal sex with another person under 17 (12 with a two year gap and 15 with a three year gap). *1997 - Eighteen people die when the Bimbadene and Carinya Lodges collapse at [[Thredbo]] Alpine Village at 11.30 p.m. on [[30 July]] *[[1998 in Australia|1998]] - A [[1998 Australian waterfront dispute|major strike]] results when [[Patrick Corporation|Patrick Stevedores]] attempt to introduce non-union labour to reduce the influence of the [[Maritime Union of Australia]] *1998 - The [[Australian Stock Exchange]] is demutualized and floated as a public company, becoming the world’s first stock exchange to be listed on an exchange. *[[1999 in Australia|1999]] - Both houses of the federal parliament pass a motion signifying both recognition of and regret at past treatment of indigenous Australians. *1999 - A [[1999 Australian republic referendum|referendum on changing to a republic]] is unsuccessful *1999 - Australian soldiers are deployed to [[East Timor]] as part of the [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping force ==2000s== *[[2000 in Australia|2000]] - [[Sydney]] holds the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]. *[[2001 in Australia|2001]] - John Howard is re-elected after the [[MV Tampa|Tampa affair]] and [[Children overboard affair]] occur as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration *[[2001 in Australia|2001]] - Western Australia now has a Uniform Age Of Consent at 16 for Everyone. *[[2002 in Australia|2002]] - On [[12 October]], [[2002]] [[2002 Bali terrorist bombing|bombs]] explode in a [[Bali]] nightclub and bar killing 202 people, including 88 Australians. *[[2003 in Australia|2003]] - Australian military deployed to participate in the [[Iraq War]]. *[[2003 in Australia|2003]] - The Northern Territory now has a uniform Age Of Consent set at 16 for everyone. *[[2003 in Australia|2003]] - New South Wales becomes the last State to have a Uniform Age of Consent at 16 for Everyone. *[[2004 in Australia|2004]] - A [[2004 Jakarta embassy bombing|bomb explodes]] outside the Australian embassy in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]], [[Asia]]. *[[2004 in Australia|2004]] - The [[John Howard]] led conservative [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] and [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] coalition wins its fourth term in office after defeating the [[Mark Latham]] led [[Australian Labor Party]] at the federal election. *[[2005 in Australia|2005]] - Sixteen people are charged with planning [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks in Sydney and Melbourne *[[2006 in Australia|2005]] - Sydney beachside suburb of [[Cronulla]] sees racially charged [[riots]]. *[[2006 in Australia|2006]] - The [[Commonwealth Games]] are held in Melbourne. *[[2006 in Australia|2006]] - Australian Forces are again deployed to [[East Timor]] to help stabilize the country. *[[2007 in Australia|2007]] - Australians Forces are brought home from [[East Timor]]. *[[2007 in Australia|2007]] - [[Sydney]] hosted the [[APEC]] summit meeting. *[[2007 in Australia|2007]] - Australian Labor Party is elected; [[Kevin Rudd]] becomes Prime Minister. *[[2008 in Australia|2008]] - [[Kevin Rudd]] officially apologises to the [[Stolen Generation]]. [[Category:National timelines|Australia]] [[Category:Australian history-related lists]] [[Category:History of Australia]] [[ru:Хронологическая таблица по истории Австралии]]