1986 in Australia

The following lists events that happened during 1986 in Australia.

Incumbents

Monarch — Elizabeth II
Governor-General — Sir Ninian Stephen
Prime Minister — Bob Hawke
*Deputy [Prime Minister of Australia|Deputy Prime Minister] — Lionel Bowen
*Opposition Leader — John Howard
Chief Justice — Sir Harry Gibbs

State and territory leaders

Premier of New South Wales — Neville Wran, then Barrie Unsworth
*Opposition Leader — Nick Greiner
Premier of Queensland — Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
*Opposition Leader — Nev Warburton
Premier of South Australia — John Bannon
*Opposition Leader — John Olsen
Premier of Tasmania — Robin Gray
*Opposition Leader — Ken Wriedt, then Neil Batt
Premier of Victoria — John Cain Jr.
*Opposition Leader — Jeff Kennett
Premier of Western Australia — Brian Burke
*Opposition Leader — Bill Hassell, then Barry MacKinnon
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory — Ian Tuxworth, then Stephen Hatton
*Opposition Leader — Bob Collins, then Terry Smith
Chief Minister/President of the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island — David Buffett, then John Brown

Governors and administrators

Governor of New South Wales — Sir James Rowland
Governor of Queensland — Sir Walter Campbell
Governor of South Australia — Sir Donald Dunstan
Governor of Tasmania — Sir James Plimsoll
Governor of Victoria — Davis McCaughey
Governor of Western Australia — Gordon Reid
Administrator of Norfolk Island — John Matthew
Administrator of the Northern Territory — Eric Johnston

Events

January

2 January — A state funeral is held for former Governor of Victoria Sir Henry Winneke at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.
3 January — Federal Opposition Leader John Howard introduces a four-point plan to reduce interest rates.
4 January — A tanker driver is killed instantly when his truck overturns in Aspen, New South Wales, releasing clouds of nitrogen gas.
5 January — Actress Lauren Bacall arrives in Sydney to star in the play Sweet Bird of Youth.

February

2 February — Nurse Anita Cobby is abducted, robbed, raped and murdered by John Travers, Michael Murdoch, and Leslie, Gary and Michael Murphy at Prospect in Sydney.
7 February — Following Lindy Chamberlain's identification of a baby's jacket found near Uluru as being similar to the one worn by her baby Azaria, her case takes a new turn.
8 February —
*Elections in Western Australia and Tasmania see the re-election of the ALP in WA, and the Liberal Party in Tasmania.
*Post-mortem results support the claim of the sister of Sally Anne Huckstep that she was murdered.
*Dire Straits makes history in Tasmania by drawing the state's biggest audience ever for an open-air concert.
9 February — Lindy Chamberlain is released from prison in Darwin on licence after serving 39 months of a life sentence.
11 February —
*Joan Child becomes the first female Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives.
*More than 100 bushfires burn across the state of Victoria.
12 February — Ernie Bridge is elected to the West Australian Cabinet, thereby becoming the first Aborigine to become a Cabinet minister.

March

3 March — The Australia Act 1986 comes into effect at 1600 AEST, granting Australia legal independence from the United Kingdom by removing the power of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to legislate with effect in Australia and its states and territories.
18 March — Prime Minister Bob Hawke commits the Federal Government not to raise home interest lending rates above 13.5%, despite continued pressure from the banks.
27 March — The Russell Street bombing takes place at the headquarters of Victoria Police in Melbourne. A police constable, Angela Taylor, is killed.

April

2 April — Prime Minister Bob Hawke breaks an election promise by lifting the ceiling on home interest rates, following the banks' promise of an extra $6 million for home loans.
11 April — The Arbitration Commission finds that the Builders' Labourers Federation was guilty of serious industrial misconduct and the union is deregistered.
14 April — A second trial of Mr. Justice Lionel Murphy begins in Sydney, and lasts for two weeks, with the jury eventually acquitting him.

May

14 May — Responding to the release of dismal current account deficit figures, Federal Treasurer Paul Keating makes his infamous off-the-cuff warning about Australia becoming a "banana republic".

July

4 July — After ten years in power, Neville Wran resigns as Premier of New South Wales, and is replaced by Barrie Unsworth.
7 July — Barlow & Chambers are executed at Malaysia's Pudu Prison for drug trafficking. Prime Minister Hawke condemns the move as "barbaric".
16 July — An explosion at Moura No. 4 mine in Moura, Queensland kills 12 people.
25 July — An unusual cold dry change sweeps through south-eastern Australia, causing temperatures to plummet and bringing of snow to Hobart, isolating the city until midday. Canberra also receives snow during the early afternoon with reports of snow and sleet also occurring in the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney.

August

2 August — The painting The Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso is stolen from the National Gallery of Victoria. The painting is found undamaged in a locker at Spencer Street station on 19 August.
6 August — A low pressure system moving from South Australia and redeveloping off the New South Wales coast dumps a record of rain in a day on Sydney. Resulting floods kill six people.
19 August – Sydney schoolgirl Samantha Knight abducted and murdered by Michael Guider.
21 August — Labor Caucus votes 74:42 to resume sales of uranium to France.

September

23 September — Federal Opposition Leader John Howard is suspended from the Australian House of Representatives for 24 hours after attacking Federal Treasurer Paul Keating for huge travel expenses incurred by claiming Sydney as his principal place of residence.

October

8 October — Following three years of wage indexation, the Australian Council of Trade Unions approves a two-tier wage-fixing system.
17 October — Brisbane loses bid to host 1992 Olympic Games to the Spanish city of Barcelona.
21 October — The Mr. Justice Lionel Murphy saga comes to a close when he dies of cancer.
24 October — The last link of the national microwave telephone system is completed at Kununurra in Western Australia.

November

1 November — The 1986 [Queensland state election] is held. Joh Bjelke-Petersen wins his final election as Premier of Queensland with his party, the National Party gaining 38.6% of the vote and an absolute majority of seats in the Queensland Parliament
27 November — Federal Treasurer Paul Keating is found liable to a fine of $4,000 for not lodging his tax return for 1985 and his 1986 return being overdue.

December

10 December — Senator George Georges resigns from the Australian Labor Party over uranium mining and the proposed ID card.
26 December — Tuning into rural disenchantment, Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen contemplates the notion of entering the federal political scene.

Arts and literature

Elizabeth Jolley's novel The Well wins the Miles Franklin Award

Film

30 April — Crocodile Dundee is released in Australia. The film will go on to become a worldwide smash hit, becoming the highest grossing Australian until 2015
Malcolm
The Fringe Dwellers

Law

Re Loubie a case involving the Queensland Bail Act and s.117 of the constitution.

Music

Television

5 January — SBS ceases VHF transmissions on Channel 0 in Sydney & Melbourne.
20 January — Neighbours makes its debut on Network Ten & comes to dominate the 7 pm weeknight timeslot.
February — Red Symons signs to Hey Hey It's Saturday as the show launches Red Faces.
30 October — The Movie Show begins on SBS.
December — The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, owners of HSV-7 & ADS-7 are sold to Rupert Murdoch's News Limited for $1.8 billion. As News Limited owned ATV-10 at this time, HSV-7 is sold to Fairfax in February 1987 for $320 million.
Christopher Skase's Qintex company sells TVQ-0 to Darling Downs Television, owners of DDQ-10 in Toowoomba.
AUSSAT satellites are launched, bringing television to remote areas for the first time.

Sport

16 March — Parramatta Stadium is opened. The Parramatta Eels defeat the St. George Dragons 36–6.
23 March — Robert de Castella is once again Australia's best finisher at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, this time staged in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He finishes in 14th place in the long-distance race over 12,000 metres.
8 June — Stephen Austin wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:15:59 in Sydney, while Margaret Reddan claims the women's title in 2:48:28.
29 June — Last game of rugby league is played at the Sydney Sports Ground. Eastern Suburbs Roosters defeat the North Sydney Bears 21–14.
27 September — Hawthorn defeats Carlton in the 1986 VFL Grand Final to win the 90th VFL premiership.
28 September —
* Minor premiers Parramatta Eels defeat the Canterbury Bulldogs 4–2 in the lowest scoring grand final in history to win the 79th NSWRL premiership. It is the Eels' most recent premiership win. The Illawarra Steelers finish in last position, claiming their second straight wooden spoon.
* The Clive Churchill Medal, made to honour the late Clive Churchill, is awarded to its inaugural recipient, Parramatta Eels halfback Peter Sterling.
4 November — At Talaq wins Melbourne Cup ridden by Michael Clarke.
Brownlow Medal awarded to Robert DiPierdomenico and Greg Williams
"Aussie" was constructed and launched.

Births

January

7 January - Shane Alexander, volleyball player
8 January - Scott Anderson, rugby player
9 January - Paul Benz, Paralympic athlete
10 January - Des Abbott, field hockey player
14 January - Sam Butler, footballer
20 January
* Dave Dennis, rugby player
* Okwy Diamondstar, footballer
* Kevin Parker, singer/songwriter and guitarist
21 January - Kirin J. Callinan, singer/songwriter and guitarist
23 January - Joseph Brennan, author
26 January - Andrew Dodt, golfer
28 January - Nathan Outteridge, sailor

February

3 February - Selasi Berdie, rugby player
4 February - Jackie Barnes, drummer for Rose Tattoo
8 February - Scott Arnold, squash player
9 February - Marieke D'Cruz, swimmer
10 February - Ben Davies, footballer
12 February - Johanna Allston, orienteer
14 February
* Daniel Conn, model and rugby player
* Cameron Crombie, Paralympic shot putter and javelin thrower
17 February - Scott Daruda, rugby player
20 February - Shannon Ashlyn, actress
22 February
* David Barnes, Olympic archer
* Zac Dawson, footballer
* Josh Helman, actor
* Joel Brunker, boxer
23 February
* Troy Chaplin, footballer
* Kate Keltie, actress
26 February
* Lichelle Clarke, Paralympic swimmer
* Teresa Palmer, actress, writer, model and film producer
27 February - Jayden Attard, footballer
28 February - Tendai Mzungu, footballer

March

1 March - Kathryn Beck, actress
3 March - Catherine Cannuli, soccer player and coach
7 March - Shannon Cox, footballer
8 March - Michelle Steele, athlete
13 March - Gillian Alexy, actress
14 March - Trent Copeland, cricketer
15 March - Jai Courtney, actor
17 March - Chelsea Baker, rugby player
18 March - Arlo Bugeja, speedway rider
19 March - Daniel Dillon, basketball player
20 March
* Ruby Rose, actress, model, and television presenter
* Dean Geyer, actor, singer and Australian Idol contestant
22 March - Andrew Barisic, footballer
26 March - Jessica Hart, model
27 March - Joshua Allison, wheelchair basketball player
28 March - Richard Cardozo, footballer

April

1 April - James Albury, baseball player
3 April - Burt Cockley, cricketer
4 April
* Steven Brown, judoka personnel
* Bevan Calvert, handball player
* Erin Carroll, badminton player
11 April
* Hayley Aitken, pop singer/songwriter
* Ashley Delaney, Olympic swimmer
16 April
* Miles Armstrong, tennis player
* Bronwen Knox, water polo player
24 April - Tahyna Tozzi, model, singer and actress
29 April - Danny Clayton, television and radio presenter

May

1 May - Adam Casey footballer
4 May - Zoë Badwi, singer/songwriter, model, and actress
7 May - Mark Furze, actor and singer
9 May - Kirby Bentley, footballer
16 May - Paul Carroll, volleyball player
23 May - Marcus Allan, footballer
28 May
* Berrick Barnes, rugby union player
* Chris Bond, wheelchair rugby player
30 May - Thomas Do Canto, long distance runner

June

2 June
* Todd Carney, rugby player
* Pekahou Cowan, rugby player
5 June - Ahren Stringer, musician, bassist and singer for The Amity Affliction
6 June - Nathan van Berlo, footballer
12 June
* Benjamin Schmideg, actor
* Harry Taylor, footballer
15 June - Ronnie Buckley, discus thrower
29 June - Christopher Egan, actor

July

4 July - Leah Blayney, footballer and coach
8 July - Timothy Cox, baseball player
11 July
* Bryn Coudraye, Olympic rower
* Rebecca Dwyer, field hockey player
12 July
* 360, rapper
* Krystal Forscutt, reality TV star
14 July - Nic Beveridge, Paralympic triathlete
16 July - Leith Brodie, swimmer
18 July
* Simon Clarke, Olympic cyclist
* James Sorensen, actor
24 July
* Natalie Tran, comedian
* Remy Hii, Malaysian-born actor
25 July - Travis Baird, footballer
28 July - Karyn Bailey, netball player
29 July - Scott Dureau, rugby player

August

1 August - Mikaela Dombkins, basketball player and coach
3 August - Ryan Brabazon, footballer
8 August - Alex Cudlin, motorcycle racer
10 August - Mia-Rae Clifford, footballer
12 August - Chris Adams, rugby player
14 August - Nigel Boogaard, footballer
16 August - Felicity Abram, triathlete
18 August - Anthony Alozie, Nigerian-born track and field sprinter
19 August - Adam Cockshell, footballer
21 August - Patrick Dellit, rugby player
22 August - Shane Cross, skateboarder
28 August
* Briggs, rapper, record label owner, comedy writer, actor, and author
* Sarah Christophers, actress
* Tommy Dassalo, comedian
* James Davison, racing driver
* Sam Dwyer, footballer
30 August - Ali Abbas, Iraqi-born footballer
31 August
* Chloe Boreham, actress
* Melanie Schlanger, freestyle swimmer

September

4 September - Liam Adams, Olympic runner
8 September - Brett Anderson, rugby player
10 September
* Laura Attard, footballer
* Cheyenne Campbell, rugby player
18 September - Eloise Mignon, actress
19 September
* Ben Demery, Paralympic tandem cyclist
* Sally Pearson, Olympic hurdler
22 September - Ebanie Bridges, boxer
23 September - Wade Dutton, baseball player
29 September - Greg Broughton, footballer

October

1 October
* Prashanth Sellathurai, gymnast
* Justin Westhoff, footballer
4 October - James Brooke, DJ and radio host
10 October
* Julie Corletto, netball player
* Nathan Jawai, basketball player
13 October - Sarah Calati, Paralympic wheelchair tennis player
14 October - Nicholas Colla, actor, writer, and director
15 October - Tony Caine, rugby player
16 October - Peter George, cricketer
18 October - Renee Bargh, entertainment reporter
20 October
* Adam D'Apuzzo, footballer
* Elyse Taylor, model
21 October - Candice Dianna, singer/songwriter, voice actress, and record producer
23 October - Max Bailey, footballer and coach
27 October - David Warner, cricketer
30 October - Adam Gibson, basketball player
31 October
* Chris Alajajian, Australian-born Armenian race car driver
* Christie Hayes, actress

November

1 November - Kristina Akheeva, Russian-born actress and model
2 November - Lara Sacher, actress
5 November - Nathan Crawford, baseball player
9 November - Luke Blackwell, footballer
10 November - James Aspey, animal rights activist and lecturer
19 November
* Renae Camino, basketball player
* Brad Hill, basketball player
* Jessicah Schipper, swimmer
26 November
* Eddie Betts, footballer
* Tom Cooper, Australian-born Dutch cricketer

December

8 December - Lara Carroll, English-born Olympic swimmer
9 December
* Aron Baynes, basketball player
* Johannah Curran, netball player
10 December - Joshua Adams, dancesport competitor
11 December - Jackson Bird, cricketer
14 December - James Aubusson, rugby player
19 December
* Luke Cook, actor, director, writer, and content creator
* Gemma Pranita, actress
21 December - Davey Browne, boxer
22 December
* Dennis Armfield, footballer
* Arianne Caoili, Filipino-born chess player
23 December - Beau Champion, rugby player
27 December - Torah Bright, snowboarder
29 December - Chris Cayzer, singer and actor
30 December - Tara Cheyne, politician

Full date unknown

Abdul Abdullah, artist
Zane Banks, guitarist
Ali Barter, pop rock singer/songwriter
Graeme Begbie, field hockey player
Alexander Campbell, ballet dancer
Joel Carroll, field hockey player
Melanie Cheng, doctor and author
Nadia Clancy, politician
Jesse Cox, radio producer, broadcaster, and documentary maker
Michael Czugaj, glazier and convicted drug trafficker

Deaths

21 October — Lionel Murphy, former Attorney-General of Australia and High Court judge
7 November — Tracy Pew, bass guitarist for The Birthday Party
12 December – Buddy Williams, country musician