2013 in Australia

Incumbents
Quentin Bryce
Julia Gillard
Kevin Rudd
Tony Abbott

State and Territory Leaders

Governors and Administrators

Events

January

February
  • 5 February –
    • Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy admit that they received free holiday accommodation from allegedly corrupt former state MP Eddie Obeid.
    • Gold Coast mother, Novy Chardon, aged 34, goes missing from her Upper Coomera home, sparking a police search.
  • 14 February – The Supreme Court of Queensland orders that serial rapist Robert John Fardon should be released because any risks which he posed to the community could be managed.
  • 15 February –
    • Queensland Premier Campbell Newman announces that the Department of Transport and Main Roads Director-General Michael Caltabiano has been dismissed. In October 2012, Mr Caltabiano was referred to State Parliament's ethics committee for comments he made in an estimates committee hearing about Ben Gommers, son of former arts minister Ros Bates.
    • Queensland Arts Minister, Ros Bates, resigns amid controversy, with scandals having recently emerged over alleged irregularities with her lobbyist contact register, the Crime and Misconduct investigation into the appointment of her son Ben Gommers to a departmental role, and links to Michael Caltabiano.
  • 21 February – Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor urges the Coalition to rethink its opposition to the Malaysian solution, after the reported deaths of 98 asylum seekers who were trying to make their way to Indonesia or Australia.
  • 24 February – Severe flooding occurs in Northern New South Wales, as well as a severe damage in Sydney's south-west, leaving many homes without power.

March
  • 1 March – Myer's annual Autumn/Winter Collection show is held in Melbourne.
  • 2 March –
    • A severe weather system dumps widespread heavy rain on Queensland. 71 mm of rain falls in Bundaberg before 9 am. Wivenhoe Dam reaches 101% capacity.
    • Veteran TV journalist Peter Harvey dies in Sydney hospital after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
  • 3 March – Prime Minister Julia Gillard starts a campaign in Western Sydney and announces a new federal taskforce to crack down on criminal gangs.
  • 6 March – Ted Baillieu stands down as Premier of Victoria and is replaced by Denis Napthine.[4]
  • 8 March – The Queen Street Mall in Brisbane goes into lockdown after Lee Matthew Hillier threatens plain clothes police officers with what they believed was a handgun while they were doing random street checks.
  • 9 March – The 2013 Western Australian state election is held. The Liberal Party led by Colin Barnett retains government, winning a majority in its own right.[5]
  • 13 March – The Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory elects Adam Giles as party leader while Terry Mills is overseas on a trade visit to Japan. Giles is sworn in as Chief Minister—Australia's first indigenous head of government—the next day on 14 March.[6]
  • 21 March –
    • Prime Minister Julia Gillard makes a speech apologising on behalf of the Federal Government to families affected by forced adoption in Australia.[7]
    • Simon Crean calls on the Prime Minister to bring on a leadership spill to resolve tensions in the Labor Party, which she does. Expected challenger Kevin Rudd announces he will not contest the ballot, and Gillard is re-elected leader unopposed.[8]
  • 28 March – A freak accident kills three pedestrians when a wall collapses in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton.
  • 30 March – The Murrawarri Republic declares its independence from the Commonwealth of Australia.[9]

April
  • 6 April – Brisbane City Hall is officially re-opened to the public following a three-year restoration
  • 10 April
    • Prime Minister Julia Gillard ends her trip to China with an agreement for annual leadership talks with the new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. They also signed agreements to set up an expert group to drive co-operation on carbon trading, engaged in a new round of defence talks and agreed to work together on aid and development in the Asia Pacific region.
    • Child killer Allyson McConnell is deported to Australia from Canada after serving just 15 months for killing her two young sons by drowning them. The leniency in sentencing provokes outrage, with Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis appealing against the sentence and promising to seek her extradition.[10]
  • 13 April – The Federal Government announces $2 billion worth of cuts to the university sector.
  • 14 April – Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces $14.5 billion worth of funding for schools over the next six years to mark one year since the release of the Gonski review.
  • 17 April – Australia's greatest racing horse since Phar Lap and one of the greatest mares in world history, Black Caviar is retired on an unbeaten record of 25 wins.
  • 27 April – On the final day of the Sydney Racing Carnival, John Singleton sacks Gai Waterhouse as his trainer following mare More Joyous' loss in the race, claiming that Waterhouse's bookmaker son, Tom Waterhouse, had the night before expressed his suspicions to friends of Singleton's over More Joyous' physical condition and believed that it had no chance of winning the race. The incident prompts an inquiry, as well as debates over whether live betting odds should be permitted during televised sporting matches.
  • April – Allen Consulting Group and ACIL Tasman merge to form ACIL Allen Consulting.

May
  • 3 May – The Federal Government unveils a white paper on defence, setting an aspirational goal of increasing defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, as well as the purchase of a dozen new FA18 fighter jets. Prime Minister Julia Gillard also says that her government wants to see more transparency from China on their military developments.[11]
  • 9 May – Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, unveils the Coalition's industrial relations policy, saying workers have nothing to fear, promising sensible, careful and incremental changes. He foreshadows a review of the system in the first term of an Abbott Government.[12]
  • 10 May – Michael Boggan, aged 15, of Ipswich, Queensland, suffers severe injuries after a home-made bomb in the form of a golf ball detonates in his hands.

June
  • 3 June – Fair Work Australia announces a 2.6 per cent increase in the minimum wage, prompting criticism from the Australian Council of Trade Unions.[13]
  • 5 June – Prime Minister Julia Gillard orders an inquiry into the intelligence agencies' handling of a case involving a convicted Egyptian terrorist, Sayad Latif, who arrived in Australia last year as an asylum seeker.[14]
  • 6 June – New South Wales Police announce a $100,000 reward for information on the 23 Dec 1982 bombings of the Israeli Consulate in Sydney and the Hakoah Club at Bondi.[15]
  • 7 June – The Reserve Bank of Australia decides to lower the official cash rate to 2.75 per cent – its lowest level in more than 50 years.[16]
  • 8 June – The Queensland Government signs up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
  • 12 June – Prime Minister Julia Gillard during Question Time calls on the Opposition to disendorse Liberal candidate Mal Brough after a menu that made lewd and offensive jokes about her anatomy was used at his party fund-raiser. The menu, used at an event in March, lists Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail before going on to describe it as Small breasts, huge thighs & a big red box.[17]
  • 26 June – Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard 57 to 45 in an Australian Labor Party leadership spill.[18]

July
  • 1 July – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's new ministry is sworn in at a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.[19]
    • Labor MP, Simon Crean, announces that he'll retire from politics at the next election.[20]
  • 4 July – An inquest into the deaths of three men working under the Rudd Government's pink batts home insulation scheme finds that inadequate training, safety and supervision were all to blame for their deaths. The coroner's report also states that industry groups warned the Federal Government about the risks of the scheme, but were ignored.[21]
    • Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announces a major crackdown on corruption in the New South Wales branch of Labor Party.[22]
  • 5 July – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd meets with Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and announces the establishment of the Indonesia-Australia Red Meat and Beef Forum to improve and grow Indonesia's cattle industry, in an effort to defuse diplomatic tensions over cancelled beef exports.[23]
  • 9 July – Giant telescope Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia, goes online.
  • 11 July – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd uses an address at the National Press Club in Canberra to lobby for a new "productivity pact" between businesses, unions and the Federal Government in an effort to lift the rate of annual productivity growth, as well as smoothing the transition from mining to non-mining led growth. The Prime Minister also accuses the Opposition of planning to "implement a slash and burn austerity drive across the nation".[24]
  • 14 July – Federal Treasurer Chris Bowen announces that the Federal Government has agreed to scrap the fixed carbon price and move to a floating price on carbon on 1 July next year – one year earlier than scheduled.[25]
  • 23 July – The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's AUD $630 million New Central Office is opened in Canberra.[26]

August
  • 3 August – Simon Kruger, a seven-year-old boy, goes missing in the bush after wandering away from a family picnic. He is found by searchers the next day, and claimed that a kangaroo had kept him warm as he slept under a tree.[27]
  • 12 August – The Euahlayi Nation declares its independence from the Commonwealth of Australia.[28]

September

October
  • 3–11 October – The International Fleet Review is held on Sydney Harbour to celebrate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy fleet in to the harbour.[30]
  • 7 October – Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, attends the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Bali. After meeting with China's President, Xi Jinping, he says he is confident he could get a free trade deal with China within 12 months. He also addresses the lingering concern in Indonesia about his asylum seeker policies.
  • 9 October – John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart's civil trial against their mother, Gina Rinehart, begins in the NSW Supreme Court. They're suing their mother for alleged misconduct as trustee. The family are also fighting over control of a family trust worth billions.
  • 13 October – Bill Shorten is elected leader of the federal Labor Party, beating Anthony Albanese and receiving 52 per cent of the caucus, prompting his mother-in-law, Governor-General Quentin Bryce, to offer her resignation "to avoid any perception of bias".
  • 17 October –
    • The 2013 New South Wales bushfires begin.
    • The Queensland Parliament passes with bipartisan support its Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD)laws targeting outlaw bikie gangs after a marathon debate. The legislation names 26 "criminal organisations", including the Bandidos, Finks and Mongols. It restricts their members' and associates' movements and meetings, and increases minimum sentences for their crimes.
  • 22 October – The Marriage Equality Act 2013 is passed in the Australian Capital Territory, making the ACT the first state or territory to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia.[31]

November
  • 18 November – Material leaked by NSA contractor Edward Snowden reveals that Australian intelligence agencies had attempted to tap the phones of the President of Indonesia, his wife, and other officials. In response, Indonesia recalls its ambassador, and threatens other consequences.[32]
  • 23 November – 35-year-old man, Chris Boyd, is killed by a Great White Shark at Gracetown, off the south-west coast of Western Australia. A "catch and kill" order was issued to permit the destruction of the shark.
  • 29 November – A young surfer, 18-year-old Zac Young, died after shark attack Riecks Point beach near Coffs Harbour.

December
  • 1 December – Thousands of motorbike riders protest new anti-bikie laws outside Brisbane's Parliament House.
  • 6 December – The Queensland Court of Appeal decides to release serial rapist Robert John Fardon from prison after the Queensland Attorney-General withdrew a last-minute application to prevent his release.
  • 10 December –
  • 11 December – Car manufacturer Holden announces it will cease production of vehicles in Australia by 2017.[34]
  • 13 December – Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, holds his first Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting. The states and territories agree to have sole responsibility for the environmental assessment of major developments and to focus on boosting the school attendance rates of Indigenous children. It is confirmed that the national paid parental leave scheme will include state public servants.
  • 18 December – The Federal Government unveils its $100 million assistance package to help Holden and the manufacturing industry.
  • 20 December – A two-hour siege took place outside Sydney's Parliament House when a man in his car threatened to set himself alight.
  • 23 December – A Royal Commission into the Rudd Government's home insulation scheme begins in Brisbane.
  • 26 December –
    • Acting Prime Minister, Warren Truss, announces that Australia will provide two military aircraft to South Sudan to aid in the current military crisis.
    • A mother and her teenage daughter are held hostage during a siege at a house in the suburb of Banyo in Brisbane.
  • 30 December – Cyclone Christine intensifies into a category 3 cyclone causing heavy rainfall across a large section of the West Australian Pilbara coast. The towns of Roebourne and Wickham receive significant damage.

Arts and literature
Main article: 2013 in Australian literature

Sport


Deaths

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See also

References
  1. "Fire rage across Tasmania". ABC News. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  2. "Flood disaster engulfs two states". The Australian. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  3. Cullen, Simon (30 January 2013). "Julia Gillard calls September 14 federal election". ABC News. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. "Baillieu stands down as Victorian Premier". ABC News. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  5. "Liberals elected in landslide victory". ABC News. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  6. "Adam Giles named new NT Chief Minister". ABC Radio. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  7. Wroe, David (21 March 2013). "Forced adoptions apology was PM at her finest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  8. "As it happened: Gillard survives as challenge fizzles". ABC News. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  9. "Claim renews Indigenous sovereignty campaign". SBS World News. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  10. "McConnell speaks out for first time". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 27 April 2013.
  11. "New Defence white paper changes tone on China". www.abc.net.au. 3 May 2013.
  12. "Abbott unveils IR policy: workers can trust the Coalition". www.abc.net.au. 9 May 2013.
  13. "Minimum wage decision slammed by both sides". www.abc.net.au. 3 June 2013.
  14. "PM orders inquiry into handling of terrorist case". www.abc.net.au. 5 June 2013.
  15. "$100,000 for info on 1982 bombings". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 5 June 2013.
  16. "RBA cuts cash rate to lowest level in over 50 years". www.abc.net.au. 7 May 2013.
  17. Ireland, Judith. "PM demands Libs dump Brough over offensive menu".
  18. Griffiths, Emma (26 June 2013). "Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard 57–45 in Labor leadership ballot, paving way for a return to PM". ABC News. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  19. Simkin, Mark (1 July 2013). "Rudd's new-look ministry sworn in" – via www.abc.net.au.
  20. "Simon Crean quits politics". www.abc.net.au. 1 July 2013.
  21. "Qld coroner blames poor safety and training for insulation deaths". www.abc.net.au. 4 July 2013.
  22. "Rudd's Labor corruption crackdown". www.abc.net.au. 4 July 2013.
  23. "Rudd attempts to mend trade relations with Indonesia". www.abc.net.au. 5 July 2013.
  24. "Rudd warns of Coalition's 'slash and burn' plan". www.abc.net.au. 11 July 2013.
  25. REPORTERS, STEPHANIE PEATLING and FAIRFAX (14 July 2013). "POLL: Rudd dumps carbon tax". The Courier.
  26. "Rudd opens new ASIO headquarters". www.abc.net.au. 23 July 2013.
  27. Saul, Heather (9 August 2013). "Kangaroo keeps boy aged seven warm when he goes missing in a conservation park". The Independent. London. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  28. "Euahlayi Nation declares independence and asserts pre-existing and continuing Statehood | Sovereign Union - First Nations Asserting Sovereignty". nationalunitygovernment.org.
  29. Griffiths, Emma (8 September 2013). "Tony Abbott claims Coalition election victory; Kevin Rudd steps down as Labor leader". ABC News. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  30. "Prince Harry joins Sydney Harbour onlookers at International Fleet Review". ABC News. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  31. "ACT to say 'I do' to same-sex marriage". ABC News. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  32. Brissenden, Michael (18 November 2013). "Australia spied on Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, leaked Edward Snowden documents reveal". ABC News. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  33. "Australia's last remaining analogue TV transmitters switched off". ABC News. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  34. Griffiths, Emma (11 December 2013). "Holden to cease its manufacturing operations in Australia by 2017". ABC News. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  35. "Hugo weaves its magic with Archibald prize judges". ABC News. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  36. "Michelle de Kretser wins Miles Franklin Award for her book Questions of Travel". ABC News. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  37. Tan, Gillian (26 January 2013). "Azarenka Beats Li to Win Australian Open". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  38. Tan, Gillian (27 January 2013). "Djokovic Claims Australian Open Hat-Trick". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  39. Shemilt, Stephan (17 February 2013). "Women's World Cup 2013: A tale of pace, power and global interest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  40. "Raikkonen opens F1 season with Melbourne win". ABC News. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  41. "State of Origin: Streaker and desperate NSW can't stop Maroons winning eighth straight series". ABC News. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  42. "Essendon Bombers out of 2013 AFL finals as James Hird accepts 12-month suspension". ABC News. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  43. Maasdorp, James (23 September 2013). "Gary Ablett awarded second Brownlow Medal, surging past Joel Selwood and Dane Swan in nail-biting finish". ABC News. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  44. McGarry, Andrew (28 September 2013). "AFL grand final: Hawthorn makes up for 2012 loss with 15-point win over Fremantle at MCG". ABC News. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  45. Maasdorp, James (6 October 2013). "NRL grand final 2013: Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles as it happened". ABC News. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  46. "Gai Waterhouse's Fiorente wins the 2013 Melbourne Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  47. Guinness, Rupert (28 December 2013). "Sydney to Hobart 2013: Wild Oats XI in record-equalling seventh triumph but strong winds are on the way". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  48. "Boxing community mourns loss of young Olympian". www.abc.net.au. 6 August 2013.
  49. "Killer Alberta mom Allyson McConnell dies in Australia". Toronto Sun.
  50. "Vale Ron Richards". Collingwood Football Club. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
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