2008 in Australia

none March 2020 October 2011 The following lists events that happened during 2008 in Australia. 2008 Elizabeth II Michael Jeffery, then Quentin Bryce Kevin Rudd NT, WA, ACT Incumbents horizontal right center 280 Jeffery Michael 030238DI-002.jpg Michael Jeffery Quentin Bryce No.1 (cropped).jpg Quentin Bryce thumb|upright|140px|Kevin Rudd Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Michael Jeffery (until 5 September), then Quentin Bryce Prime Minister – Kevin Rudd Deputy Prime Minister – Julia Gillard Opposition Leader – Brendan Nelson (until 16 September), then Malcolm Turnbull Chief Justice – Murray Gleeson (until 29 August), then Robert French State and territory leaders Premier of New South Wales – Morris Iemma (until 5 September), then Nathan Rees Opposition Leader – Barry O'Farrell Premier of Queensland – Anna Bligh Opposition Leader – Jeff Seeney (until 29 January), then Lawrence Springborg Premier of South Australia – Mike Rann Opposition Leader – Martin Hamilton-Smith Premier of Tasmania – Paul Lennon (until 26 May), then David Bartlett Opposition Leader – Will Hodgman Premier of Victoria – John Brumby Opposition Leader – Ted Baillieu Premier of Western Australia – Alan Carpenter (until 23 September), then Colin Barnett Opposition Leader – Paul Omodei (until 17 January), then Troy Buswell (until 4 August), then Colin Barnett (until 23 September), then Eric Ripper Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory – Jon Stanhope Opposition Leader – Zed Seselja Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Paul Henderson Opposition Leader – Jodeen Carney (until 29 January), then Terry Mills Chief Minister of Norfolk Island – Andre Nobbs Governors and administrators Governor of New South Wales – Marie Bashir Governor of Queensland – Quentin Bryce (until 29 July), then Penelope Wensley Governor of South Australia – Kevin Scarce Governor of Tasmania – William Cox (until 2 April), then Peter Underwood Governor of Victoria – David de Kretser Governor of Western Australia – Ken Michael Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories – Neil Lucas (until 22 February) Administrator of Norfolk Island – Owen Walsh Administrator of the Northern Territory – Tom Pauling Events Entire year Year of the Scout.2008 – Year of the Scout https://web.archive.org/web/20071221062234/http://www.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iStoryID=12600854 21 December 2007 , Scouts Australia. Year of Physical Activity.2008 THE YEAR OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/48998 2026-01-08 Ministerial Media Statements en January 1 January onwards – Torrential rain causes widespread flooding and damage to parts of South East Queensland and the North Coast of New South Wales. 11 January – An Airbus A319 lands at the new Wilkins Runway in the Australian Antarctic Territory, becoming the first passenger flight from Australia to Antarctica.Historic flight lands in Antarctica https://web.archive.org/web/20161024073551/http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/historic-flight-lands-in-antarctica/2008/01/11/1199988538801.html 24 October 2016 , Sydney Morning Herald, 11 January 2008. 15 January – An Australian Sea Shepherd Conservation Society activist, Benjamin Potts, and his British colleague, Giles Lane, are detained on board the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2 after boarding the ship which was inside the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary near Antarctica.Darby, Andrew: Whale activists 'captured' https://web.archive.org/web/20080118181419/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/15/1200159455319.html 18 January 2008 , The Age, 16 January 2008. 15 January – Victoria Police officers use capsicum spray to subdue unruly Greek spectators at the 2008 Australian Open, during a match between Konstantinos Economidis and Fernando González.Police Use Pepper Spray on Fans at Australian Open After Racial Slur Allegations https://web.archive.org/web/20080119130150/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323115,00.html 19 January 2008 , Fox News Channel, 16 January 2008. 17 January – An explosion in a wine processing shed at Drayton's Winery in the New South Wales Hunter Valley kills two men including winery owner Trevor Drayton, and injures one.Winery owner killed in blast https://web.archive.org/web/20080117195406/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/17/2140664.htm 17 January 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 17 January 2008. 23 January – After 128 years, the final edition of The Bulletin is published. Its demise was announced on 20 January.ACP Magazines announces closure of The Bulletin magazine https://web.archive.org/web/20080127094727/http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=371078 27 January 2008 , The Bulletin (via ninemsn), 24 January 2008. February 8 February – A controversial plan to deepen Melbourne's shipping channels by dredging Port Phillip Bay begins.Shanahan, Leo: Paddling protesters challenge dredger https://web.archive.org/web/20080216044006/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/paddlers-take-on-dredger/2008/02/08/1202234111677.html 16 February 2008 , The Age, 8 February 2008. 12 February – Federal Parliament was opened with a Welcome to Country, the first time in its history that this has occurred.A historic first: traditional Indigenous welcome begins Parliament http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/02/12/2160380.htm Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2 August 2018 12 February 2008 21 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180821071241/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/02/12/2160380.htm live 13 February – An apology containing the word "sorry" is made by Kevin Rudd to Indigenous Australians for the stolen generation as the first order of business of the new Parliament.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/13/2161227.htm Rudd: We say sorry ABC ABC News Online 13 February 2008 2008-02-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20080220013244/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/13/2161227.htm 20 February 2008 dead 22 February – Parliament descends into chaos with opposition frontbenchers ejected, question time suspended and speakers unable to control the house. A cardboard cut-out of the Prime Minister is brought into the parliament by opposition members angry about sitting time on a Friday.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/22/2169665.htm Cardboard Rudd sparks uproar in Parliament ABC ABC News Online 22 February 2008 2008-02-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225054500/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/22/2169665.htm 25 February 2008 dead March 12 March – Adelaide experiences a national record heat wave for an Australian capital city, recording over ten straight days of temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius.Record heatwave in SAAugust 2012, Sky News, 12 March 2008. 14 March – Former New South Wales government minister Milton Orkopoulos is found guilty of 28 charges of child sex offences and the supply of drugs.Dart, Jonathan: Orkopoulos found guilty, The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 March 2008. 16 March – The South Australian heat wave continues with Adelaide experiencing its 14th straight day of temperatures above 35 degrees. 16 March – The Finding Sydney Foundation announces it has located the wrecks of the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, which both sunk after a battle in 1941.Sydney located: report https://web.archive.org/web/20121024085243/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hmas-sydney-located/2008/03/17/1205602232577.htmlHMAS 24 October 2012 , The Age, 17 March 2008. 26 March – At the Council of Australian Governments meeting, the Victorian government agrees to take part in a A$10 billion rescue plan for the Murray-Darling Basin, after 15 months of negotiations.$1bn Murray breakthrough https://web.archive.org/web/20110616011039/http://www.theage.com.au/news/environment/1bn-murray-river-deal-finally-done/2008/03/26/1206207209411.html 16 June 2011 , The Age, 27 March 2008. 27 March – The Opes Prime stockbroking firm collapses, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission announces it is conducting an investigation into the firm's activities.Authorities probe Opes Prime collapse https://web.archive.org/web/20110605230945/http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2008/03/31/2203813.htm 5 June 2011 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 31 March 2008. 28 March – Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited closes its Clovelly Park manufacturing facility, ending more than 40 years of manufacturing at the site.Mitsubishi to close SA plant in March https://web.archive.org/web/20080208044120/http://au.news.yahoo.com/080204/2/15qby.html 8 February 2008 , Australian Associated Press (via Yahoo!7), 5 February 2008 30 March – The extension of daylight saving time by a week to standardise time in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and South Australia causes a "mini-Y2K problem" as computer systems, mobile phones and even the "time man" incorrectly adjust the time back one hour.Schneiders, Ben: At the third stroke it will be one hour ago https://web.archive.org/web/20080403002154/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/at-the-third-stroke-it-will-be-one-hour-ago/2008/03/30/1206850707204.html 3 April 2008 , The Age, 31 March 2008. 30 March – The gag order applied to David Hicks by the Guantanamo military commission is lifted, allowing him to discuss his detainment at Guantanamo Bay detention camp.David Hicks free to talk, The Age, 30 March 2008. April 18 April – Nick D'Arcy has his Beijing ticket terminated following an incident at a nightclub involving former swimmer Simon Cowley. 19 April – The Australia 2020 Summit begins in Canberra. 30 April – The Victorian government agrees to implement safety measures for Melbourne taxi drivers, after dozens of taxis blockade the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets following the stabbing of a driver the previous day.Melbourne taxi drivers end blockade https://web.archive.org/web/20080502095830/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231645.htm 2 May 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 30 April 2008. May 1 May – Five people are killed when a runabout collides with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour.Five killed in late-night Sydney Harbour boat crash https://web.archive.org/web/20080505080941/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/five-killed-as-sydney-harbour-runabout-hits-fishing-boat-photo-peter-rae/2008/05/01/1209234987504.html 5 May 2008 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 May 2008. 17 May – Fugitive gangster Tony Mokbel arrives in Australia following his extradition from Greece.Mokbel lands in Melbourne https://web.archive.org/web/20080517234912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/17/2247878.htm 17 May 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May 2008. 22 May Revolutionary Australian forum television programme Q&A broadcasts its first episode.http://www.youthengagement.com.au/traditional-media-engagement/qa-case-study/ Q&A Case Study | Youth Engagement 9 July 2018 9 July 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180709114447/http://www.youthengagement.com.au/traditional-media-engagement/qa-case-study/ live Colin Campbell Ross, hanged in 1922 for the Gun Alley Murder, is granted an official pardon.Kevin Morgan (2012) Gun Alley: Murder, Lies and Failure of Justice (2nd Ed., updated). Hardie Grant Books (Australia) Melbourne. 9781742702667 26 May – Paul Lennon announces his resignation as Premier of Tasmania. His deputy, David Bartlett, is sworn in as the new Premier later in the day.Darby, Andrew: Tasmanian premier Lennon announces resignation, The Age, 26 May 2008. 26 May – Camden Council in Sydney votes unanimously to reject a proposal to build a 1,200 student Islamic school in the area.Camden Council opposes Islamic school development https://web.archive.org/web/20080529051826/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2257402.htm 29 May 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 27 May 2008. June 1 June – Australia ends its combat operations in Iraq, withdrawing approximately 550 troops from the region.https://archive.today/20120719003047/http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKL0164801020080601 Australia withdraws troops from Iraq, Reuters, 1 June 2008. 3 June – A gas explosion at a plant on Varanus Island in Western Australia severely disrupts gas supplies to the state.Gas plant explosion exposes State's vulnerability, The West Australian, 4 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080605061318/http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=76927 5 June 2008 8 June – It is revealed that New South Wales Education Minister John Della Bosca and his wife, federal Member for Robertson Belinda Neal, were allegedly involved in an altercation at a nightclub in Gosford, New South Wales.http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/apology-for-della-bosca/2008/06/08/1212863429807.html Club offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action 8 June 2008 The Sydney Morning Herald 2008-06-19 11 June 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080611055423/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/apology-for-della-bosca/2008/06/08/1212863429807.html live 28 June – A by-election is held in the federal seat of Gippsland following the resignation of the sitting MP, Peter McGauran. Darren Chester wins the by-election, retaining the seat for the National Party. July 1 July – 36 State Senators elected in the 2007 election take their seats in the Australian Senate. For the first time in 31 years, the Australian Democrats have no Senators in the parliament.https://archive.today/20120801210600/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/26/2286816.htm?section=australia Rudd thanks 'passionate, colourful' Democrats, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 26 June 2008. 11 July – The Apple iPhone is officially released in Australia.Hard-core Apple fans get their fix https://web.archive.org/web/20080715113417/http://www.smh.com.au/news/iphone-insider/hardcore-apple-fans-get-their-fix/2008/07/12/1215658213674.html 15 July 2008 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 July 2008. 13 July – Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his first papal visit to Australia, ahead of World Youth Day 2008.Pope arrives in Australia, ITV, 13 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080803182444/http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Pope-arrives-in-Australia-572157246.html 3 August 2008 15 to 20 July – World Youth Day 2008, the Catholic Church's youth festival is held in Sydney. 26 July – The Queensland divisions of the Liberal Party and the National Party merge to form the Liberal National Party. 29 July – Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, announces that the Australian government will reform the policy regarding mandatory detention of asylum seekers.Sweeping changes to mandatory detention announced https://web.archive.org/web/20100420072319/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/29/2317303.htm 20 April 2010 , ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 29 June 2008. August 8 August – The Australian Federal Police conduct what is claimed to be the world's biggest ecstasy drugs bust, seizing A$440 million worth of the drug.World's biggest ecstasy bust https://web.archive.org/web/20080810064507/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/worlds-biggest-ecstasy-bust/2008/08/08/1218139079745.html 10 August 2008 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 August 2008. 9 August – A general election is held in the Northern Territory with the Australian Labor Party retaining government. September 5 September – Morris Iemma retires as Premier of New South Wales, and his replacement is Nathan Rees. 5 September – Quentin Bryce is sworn in as the first female Governor-General of Australia. 6 September – A general election is held in Western Australia. 6 September – By-elections are held in the federal electorates of Mayo and Lyne, following the resignation of MPs Alexander Downer and Mark Vaile respectively. The Liberal Party retains Mayo, but the National Party loses Lyne to an independent candidate, Rob Oakeshott. 14 September – The National Party agrees to support the Liberal Party to form a minority government in Western Australia. Premier Alan Carpenter announces he will resign following Labor's defeat in the 2008 WA election – the first defeat of a state Labor government in Australia in over thirteen years.Labor's clean sweep broken 14 September 2008 The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24343802-5006789,00.htmlMarch 2025 medicmedic 16 September – Malcolm Turnbull becomes Leader of the Opposition when he defeats Brendan Nelson in a ballot for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia.Malcolm Turnbull wins Liberal leadership https://web.archive.org/web/20080917224339/http://www.theage.com.au/national/malcolm-turnbull-wins-liberal-leadership-20080916-4hcr.html 17 September 2008 , The Age, 16 September 2008. 23 September – Colin Barnett is sworn in as Premier of Western Australia. 30 September – Professor Ross Garnaut releases his final report in the Garnaut Climate Change Review. October 10 October – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd receives a phone call from U.S. President George W. Bush during a dinner party at The Lodge. A subsequent edition of The Australian newspaper reports that during the call, President Bush asked Rudd what the G-20 was. Although the White House and the Prime Minister deny this exchange took place, the Opposition uses the event to question Mr Rudd's discretion.Grattan, Michelle: Rudd pressed on Bush call https://web.archive.org/web/20081227230723/http://www.theage.com.au/national/rudd-pressed-on-bush-call-20081110-5lq4.html 27 December 2008 ,The Age, 11 November 2008. 18 October – A general election is held in the Australian Capital Territory. 20 October – Qantas commercially flies the Airbus A380 for the first time. November 16 November – The Gap, Queensland and surrounding areas are affected by severe thunderstorms with Microburst.SEQ Severe Thunderstorm and Microburst at The Gap http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/cyclone/thunderstorms/16Nov2008/qldth20081116.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20090514111558/http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/cyclone/thunderstorms/16Nov2008/qldth20081116.shtml 14 May 2009 dead 2009-09-28 dmy-all December 15 December – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announces that Australia will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent of 2000 levels by the year 2020, with an option to reduce by 15 per cent if other developing countries take similar action. The announcement is criticised by the Australian Greens and environmental groups as not going far enough.Rudd locks in 5pc emissions cut https://web.archive.org/web/20081218003203/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/15/2446466.htm 18 December 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 15 December 2008. Arts and literature 2008 in Australian literature 7 March – Del Kathryn Barton wins the 2008 Archibald Prize for You are what is most beautiful about me, a self portrait with Kell and Arella, a self-portrait with her children.Del Kathryn Barton wins Archibald https://web.archive.org/web/20080310182155/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/03/07/1204780034685.html 10 March 2008 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 March 2008. 13 March – Australian author Sonya Hartnett wins the 2008 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for young adult literature.Australian author wins Astrid Lindgren prize https://web.archive.org/web/20080313234658/http://www.theage.com.au/news/books/australian-author-wins-astrid-lindgren-prize/2008/03/13/1205126059159.html 13 March 2008 , The Age, 13 March 2008. 23 May – New South Wales Police seize a number of photographs depicting naked children by artist Bill Henson which were to be exhibited the previous day.Police quiz photographer over nude shots https://web.archive.org/web/20101230143917/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/23/2253293.htm?section=entertainment 30 December 2010 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 22 May 2008. 19 June – Steven Carroll's novel The Time We Have Taken wins the Miles Franklin AwardSteger Jason Third book is a charm for author http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bbooksb-tale-of-70s-melbourne-wins-miles-franklin-award/2008/06/19/1213770827149.html The Age 20 June 2008 23 September 2008 19 November 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081119012343/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bbooksb-tale-of-70s-melbourne-wins-miles-franklin-award/2008/06/19/1213770827149.html live 12 September – Steven Conte's novel The Zookeeper's War wins the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, and Ochre and Rust: Artefacts and Encounters on Australian Frontiers by Philip Jones wins the Non-Fiction award.The 2008 winners http://www.arts.gov.au/books/pmliteraryawards/2008_winners 23 September 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081121181319/http://www.arts.gov.au/books/pmliteraryawards/2008_winners 21 November 2008 , Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 19 September – First-time novelist Andrew Croome wins the Vogel Literary Award for his manuscript about the Petrov affair, Document Z.First-time novelist wins Vogel prize https://web.archive.org/web/20080919205232/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/19/2368831.htm?section=entertainment 19 September 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 19 September 2008. 15 October – Indian-Australian journalist Aravind Adiga wins the 2008 Man Booker Prize for his debut novel, The White Tiger.Aravind Adiga wins Booker prize https://web.archive.org/web/20081018095854/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/15/1223750076954.html 18 October 2008 , The Age, 15 October 2008. Arts and literature award winners Michelle de Kretser is awarded the Australian Literature Society Gold Medal for The Lost Dog. Michelle de Kretser's novel The Lost Dog wins the Christina Stead Prize for fiction. Helen Garner's novel The Spare Room wins the Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction. Science and technology 5 August – Google Street View images of Australian city streets are added to Google Maps and Google Earth software.Smile Australia, you're on Google's candid camera, The Age, 5 August 2008. Film 26 February – Melbourne-born film producer Eva Orner wins an Academy Award for Documentary Feature for the film Taxi to the Dark Side.It's an Oscar for Eva, The Age, 26 February 2008. 26 November – Baz Luhrmann's epic film Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, makes its debut. Television 2008 in Australian television 5 January – Fox Sports commentator, Clinton Grybas, dies at 32 as a result of falling whilst sleepwalking. 14 January – Nine Network revamps its logo and on-air graphics as a part of a new network re-launch, and after a two-year absence, returns the famous "Nine Balls" logo, except instead of balls, they use discs. 7 February – Veteran television presenter Ray Martin quits the Nine Network after 30 years with the network.Michael Idato Bibby, Paul Not the retiring type: Martin quits Nine http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/not-the-retiring-type-martin-quits-nine/2008/02/07/1202234065932.html The Sydney Morning Herald 8 February 2008 2008-02-08 13 April 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080413084321/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/not-the-retiring-type-martin-quits-nine/2008/02/07/1202234065932.html live 8 February – At 12:00 PM AEDT ABC TV officially became ABC1.David Knox Welcome ABC1..... bye bye ABC TV! http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/02/welcome-abc1-bye-bye-abc-tv.html tvtonight.com.au 8 February 2008 2008-02-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080210043946/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/02/welcome-abc1-bye-bye-abc-tv.html 10 February 2008 dead 8 February – Former The Great Outdoors host Shelley Craft quits Channel Seven and moves to Channel Nine to take over from Toni Pearen as host of Australia's Funniest Home Videos. 12 February – The Supreme Court of Victoria places an injunction on the broadcast and exhibition of the Nine Network's drama series Underbelly in Victoria, following concerns that the series, which depicts Melbourne's gangland wars, could prejudice an ongoing murder trial.Roberts Brendan February 14, 2008 Underbelly pub faces legal action https://www.news.com.au/storytemplate/underbelly-pub-faces-legal-action/news-story/2856a1a1b392fb6a64516b7b723f9c71 news.com.au 14 March – A Current Affair broadcasts its 5000th episode and celebrates its 20th anniversary. 17 March – The Nine Network launches its high-definition television channel, Nine HD. 3 April – Kate Ritchie (Sally Fletcher), one of the original cast members of Home and Away, leaves the series after 20 years. 7 April – The Nine Network makes the first episodes of the new series Canal Road available for download over the Internet, ahead of its television broadcast on 16 April.Nine downloads series ahead of TV launchOctober 2026 medicmedic, News Limited, 7 April 2008. 27 April – Jack Chambers wins the first series of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.Cubby, Ben: Jack the top dancer https://web.archive.org/web/20080430211101/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/jack-the-top-dancer/2008/04/27/1209234657923.html? 30 April 2008 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 April 2008. 4 May – The 2008 Logie Awards are held. Kate Ritchie (formerly of Home and Away) wins the Gold Logie for the second year in a row.Dubecki, Larissa: 'Home and Away' is far and away viewer favourite https://web.archive.org/web/20080508205930/http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/kate-wins-gold/2008/05/04/1209839457086.html? 8 May 2008 , The Age, 5 May 2008. 7 May – SBS TV reveals its new logo. 26 May – Game show Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, a revival of the Wheel of Fortune format, premieres on the Nine Network. 2 June – The Seven Network apologises after airing an episode of the hospital drama All Saints in which it is suggested that a child born of an incestuous relationship is likely to result in the child having Down's syndrome.Ricketson, Matthew: Seven apologises for incest episode https://web.archive.org/web/20080605002222/http://www.theage.com.au/national/seven-apologises-for-incest-episode-20080602-2kw0.html 5 June 2008 , The Age, 3 June 2008. 27 June – Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune is cancelled on the Nine Network after a month. 7 July – Seven Network starts broadcasting its watermark on all news and current affairs programs. 21 July – The final episode of Big Brother Australia, which was axed by Network Ten the week prior, goes to air. The winner of the final series is 52-year-old grandmother Terri Munro.Molloy, Shannon: Big Brother reaches 'ugly' end https://web.archive.org/web/20080725132218/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/entertainment/ibig-brotheri-reaches-ugly-end/2008/07/22/1216492390750.html 25 July 2008 , Brisbane Times, 21 July 2008. 25 July – The Nine Network's Nightline news program is broadcast for the last time after 16 years on air. 26 July – Peter Cundall's last appearance on ABC1's Gardening Australia before retiring from Australian Landscapes.Blooming marvellous https://web.archive.org/web/20240714075617/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/blooming-marvellous-20080724-ge7908.html 14 July 2024 , The Age, 24 July 2008. 28 July – TV journalist, This Is Your Life host and also a former host of A Current Affair, Mike Munro announces he is leaving the Nine Network after 22 years, due to budget cuts. 3 August – The Nine Network's Sunday program is broadcast for the last time after 27 years on air. 28 August – Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos, an adult-oriented spin-off of Australia's Funniest Home Videos is revived on the Nine Network. The program made headlines in 1992 when then-CEO Kerry Packer ordered it to be taken off-air in the middle of one episode. Sport 6 January – Australia retains the Border–Gavaskar Trophy when it beats India by 122 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground, equalling its own record of 16 consecutive Test cricket victories.https://archive.today/20120722174234/http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_CRICKET/idUKSYD7591620080106 Cricket-Australia beat India in thriller to equal world record, Reuters UK, 6 January 2008. 7 January – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspends India's cricket tour of Australia after objecting to a three-match ban on Harbhajan Singh for allegedly calling Australian player Andrew Symonds a "big monkey".Indian tour on hold https://web.archive.org/web/20080108214214/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/07/1199554570945.html 8 January 2008 , The Age, 8 January 2008. The tour suspension is lifted on 9 January after umpire Steve Bucknor is removed from the third test. 20 January – Central Coast Mariners FC claim the premiership for the A-League 2007–08 season. 14 to 27 January – The 2008 Australian Open Tennis Championships are held at Melbourne Park. Serbian Novak Djokovic wins the men's singles, the first Grand Slam title since the 2005 Australian Open not won by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. He is also the youngest player to win the Australian Open, and the first Serb. Russian Maria Sharapova wins the women's singles title.New era as Djokovic wins Aussie Open and first Grand Slam title https://web.archive.org/web/20080128130853/http://news.theage.com.au/new-era-as-djokovic-wins-aussie-open-and-first-grand-slam-title/20080127-1ohk.html 28 January 2008 , The Age, 28 January 2008. 6 February – Australia defeats Qatar 3–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Telstra Dome in Melbourne.Lynch, Michael: Night ends by smashing Qatar https://web.archive.org/web/20080215225815/http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/night-ends-by-smashing-qatar/2008/02/07/1202233960582.html 15 February 2008 , The Age, 7 February 2008. 24 February – Newcastle United Jets FC defeat Central Coast Mariners FC 1–0 in the A-League Grand Final 2008, becoming champions of the 2007–08 season.Jets crowned A-League champions https://web.archive.org/web/20240714075536/https://www.abc.net.au/news 14 July 2024 , ABC Online, 24 February 2008. 29 February – 2007 NRL premiers the Melbourne Storm are defeated by Super League XII champions the Leeds Rhinos 11–4 in the 2008 World Club Challenge. 2 March – Australian rider Troy Bayliss wins both races at the Australian Superbike World Championship round. 12 March – The Football Federation Australia postpones the expansion of the A-League to include new clubs Gold Coast Galaxy FC and North Queensland Thunder FC until at least the 2009–10 season.A-League expansion deferred https://web.archive.org/web/20240714075537/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/a-league-expansion-deferred-20080312-ge6u1n.html 14 July 2024 , The Age, 12 March 2008. 16 March – British driver Lewis Hamilton wins the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.Hamilton survives the carnage https://web.archive.org/web/20080322005733/http://www.theage.com.au/news/grand-prix/hamilton-survives-the-carnage/2008/03/16/1205602162587.html 22 March 2008 , The Age, 16 March 2008. 22 March – Swimmer Stephanie Rice breaks the 400 metres medley world record. 25 March – Stephanie Rice breaks the 200 metres medley world record. 26 March – Australia draws with China 0–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Tuodong Stadium in Kunming, China.Schwarzer's late save secures point for Australia https://web.archive.org/web/20080327065952/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2200086.htm 27 March 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 26 March 2008. 1 June – Australia defeats Iraq 1–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland.Kewell stars as Socceroos sink Iraq https://web.archive.org/web/20240714075537/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/kewell-stars-as-socceroos-sink-iraq-20080602-ge74xp.html 14 July 2024 , The Age, 1 June 2008. 2 July – Queensland defeats New South Wales by 16–10 in the third game of the 2008 Rugby League State of Origin series, thereby winning their third consecutive series by two games to one.Maroons clinch Origin three-peat https://web.archive.org/web/20080729152704/http://blogs.abc.net.au/grandstand/2008/07/maroons-clinch.html?site=rugby_league 29 July 2008 , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2 July 2008. 8 to 24 August – Australia competes in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The Australian Olympic team wins 14 gold medals, coming 6th on the medal tally. 7 September – The Melbourne Storm win their third straight minor premiership following the final main round of the 2008 NRL season. Like the previous two years, the win would later be revoked in 2010 following the club's salary cap breach. The Canterbury Bulldogs finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon. 13 September – The New Zealand All Blacks win the 2008 Tri Nations Series in rugby union. 22 September – The Western Bulldogs' Adam Cooney wins the 2008 Brownlow Medal for best and fairest player in the Australian Football League.Baum, Greg: It's Adam's eve https://web.archive.org/web/20080923100906/http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/09/23/1221935557459.html 23 September 2008 , The Age, 23 September 2008. 27 September – Hawthorn become premiers of the 2008 AFL season, defeating Geelong 18.7 (115) to 11.23 (89) in the 2008 AFL Grand Final.Hawthorn pulls off grand final heist https://web.archive.org/web/20080930014527/http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/09/27/1222217571288.html 30 September 2008 , The Age, 27 September 2008. 5 October – The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles become premiers of the National Rugby League season 2008, defeating minor premiers the Melbourne Storm 40–0 at ANZ Stadium. 5 October – Australian Ducati Corse rider Casey Stoner wins his second successive Australian motorcycle Grand Prix. Stoner wins by 6.5 seconds over Yamaha Motor Racing rider Valentino Rossi. 12 October – Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup win their third successive Bathurst 1000 at the 2008 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. 25 October – Maldivian wins the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, defeating Zipping and Samantha Miss. 25 October to 22 November – The 2008 Rugby League World Cup is held in Australia. New Zealand wins the cup, defeating Australia 34 – 20 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.New Zealand win Rugby League World Cup https://web.archive.org/web/20110522043341/http://news.smh.com.au/sport/new-zealand-win-rugby-league-world-cup-20081122-6eig.html 22 May 2011 , The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 November 2008. 26 October – Ryan Briscoe takes his Team Penske run Dallara IR5 to victory in the 2008 Nikon Indy 300, becoming in the last running of the event, the first Australian driver to win the Gold Coast Indycar race. 4 November – Viewed wins the 2008 Melbourne Cup, the twelfth win of the race for trainer Bart Cummings.Hail to the king of a dozen bold cups https://web.archive.org/web/20081107071740/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/04/1225560843430.html 7 November 2008 , The Age, 5 November 2008. 28 December – The yacht Wild Oats XI claims its fourth consecutive line honours win in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Quest is the race's handicap winner.Skandia's skipper hails 'great job', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 28 December 2008. Births 10 January – Quinn MacNicol, footballer 16 January – Logan Sambrook, footballer 18 January – Feyzo Kasumovic, footballer 23 January – Christian Pullella, footballer 2 February – Nickolas Alfaro, footballer 16 February – Zane Stevenson, footballer 22 February – Alexander Garbowski, footballer 27 February – Haine Eames, footballer 3 March – Anthony Didulica, footballer 30 March – Kade Baccus, footballer 6 April – Rhys Williams, footballer 14 April – Isiah Boston, footballer 28 April – Jay Maltz, footballer 30 April – Max Anastasio, footballer 12 May – Alex Bolton, footballer 20 May – Thomas Cutuk, footballer 1 July – Amlani Tatu, footballer 3 August – Archie Trimboli, footballer 8 August – Beckham Baker, footballer 12 August – Charlie Parkin, footballer 14 August – Jared Williams, footballer 30 August – Eizar Tanjung, Indonesian footballer 31 August – Jai Ajanovic, footballer Deaths 1 January – Ted Baldwin, 85, politician 5 January – Clinton Grybas, 32, sports commentator 8 January – George T. D. Moore, 84, former jockey and horse trainer 9 January – Tim Willoughby, 53, Olympic rower 11 January – Nancy Phelan, 94, writer 12 January – Isobel Bennett, 98, marine biologist 19 January – Creighton Burns, 82, editor of The Age newspaper (1981–1989) 22 January – Heath Ledger, 28, actor (died in New York City) 25 January – Roc Kirby, 89, founder of Village Roadshow Limited 26 January – Padraic McGuinness, 69, journalist 3 February – Jackie Orszaczky, 59, Hungarian-born musician and record producer 14 February – Smoky Dawson, 94, country music performer 19 February – Peter Pianto, 78, VFL player and coach for Geelong 21 February – Geoff Leek, 76, VFL player for Essendon 25 February – Ashley Cooper, 27, V8 Supercar race driver 28 February – Val Plumwood, 67, ecologist and feminist 1 March – Sid Spindler, 76, Democrats senator 3 March – Norm O'Neill, 71, cricketer 14 March – Clyde Cameron, 95, Whitlam government minister 16 March – Bill Brown, 95, cricketer and member of the 1948 Invincibles 19 March – John Dowie, 93, sculptor 1 April – Audrey Cahn, 102, nutritionist 6 April – Tony Davies, 68, New Zealand rugby union player 7 April – Sir Frank Little, 82, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne 8 April – John Button, 74, ALP senator and Hawke government minister 10 April – Kim Santow, 67, NSW Supreme Court judge, university chancellor 24 April – Tristram Cary, 82, British composer 30 April – John Cargher, 89, ABC Radio presenter 9 May – Jack Gibson, 79, rugby league coach and player 10 May – Jessie Jacobs, 17, actress (The Saddle Club) 22 May – Charlie Booth, 104, athlete and inventor of the starting block 26 May – Alan Renouf, 89, head of DFAT and ambassador 27 May – Mick Nolan, 58, Australian rules footballer. 3 June – Trevor Kaine, 80, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (1989–1991) 11 June – Sir Francis Hassett, 90, soldier and head of the Australian Defence Force 22 June – Jane McGrath, 42, cancer support campaigner and wife of cricketer Glenn McGrath 25 June – Lyall Watson, 69, South African botanist and author 6 July – Jack Collins, 78, Australian rules footballer (Footscray) 7 July – Yitzchok Dovid Groner, 83, chief rabbi of Melbourne's Chabad-Lubavitch community 12 July – Olive Riley, 108, believed to have been the world's oldest blogger 13 July – Peter Durack, 81, Liberal Party senator and Fraser government minister 16 July – Lindsay Thompson, 84, Premier of Victoria (1981–1982) 18 July – Peter Welsh, 54, Australian rules footballer 25 July – Jeff Fehring, 52, Australian rules footballer 5 August – Reg Lindsay, 79, country music singer 12 August – Christie Allen, 53, pop music singer 27 August – Alec Hill, 92, military historian 28 August – Mark Priestley, 32, television actor (All Saints) 1 September – Michael Pate, 88, actor and writer 1 September – Kevin Heinze, 81, ABC television and radio presenter 4 September – Colin Egar, 80, cricket umpire and administrator 12 September – Bob Quinn, 88, SANFL footballer 23 September – Peter Leonard, 66, journalist and television presenter 24 September – Sir Peter Derham, 83, businessman and philanthropist 25 September – Roger Vanderfield, 80, rugby union referee and administrator 2 October – Rob Guest, 58, stage actor and singer 4 October – Levi Kereama, 27, R&B Singer 27 November – Paul Hibbert, 56, cricketer 2 December – Frank Crean, 92, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer in the Whitlam government 6 December – Richard Marsland, 32, actor, comedian and radio announcer 8 December – Kerryn McCann, 41, athlete 10 December – Dorothy Porter, 54, poet 29 December – William Ellis Green, 85, cartoonist See also 2008 in Australian literature 2008 in Australian television List of Australian films of 2008 References 2008 in yes Australian incumbents Category:Years of the 21st century in Australia