The following lists events that happened during 2008 in Australia .
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.[ 12]
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.[ 13]
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.[ 14]
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.[ 15]
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.[ 16]
28 March – Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited closes its Clovelly Park manufacturing facility, ending more than 40 years of manufacturing at the site.[ 17]
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.[ 18]
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 .[ 19] 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.[ 39]
Arts and literature award winners
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Science and technology
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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.[ 49]
8 February – At 12:00 PM AEDT ABC TV officially became ABC1 .[ 50]
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 Victoria , following concerns that the series, which depicts Melbourne's gangland wars , could prejudice an ongoing murder trial.[ 51]
14 March – A Current Affair 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
7 April – The Nine Network makes the first episodes of the new series Canal Road Internet , ahead of its television broadcast on 16 April.[ 52]
27 April – Jack Chambers wins the first series of So You Think You Can Dance Australia [ 53]
4 May – The 2008 Logie Awards are held. Kate Ritchie (formerly of Home and Away [ 54]
7 May – SBS TV reveals its new logo.
26 May – Game show Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune Wheel of Fortune Nine Network .
2 June – The Seven Network apologises after airing an episode of the hospital drama All Saints Down's syndrome .[ 55]
27 June – Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune 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 Network Ten the week prior, goes to air. The winner of the final series is 52-year-old grandmother Terri Munro.[ 56]
25 July – The Nine Network's Nightline 16 years on air.
26 July – Peter Cundall 's last appearance on ABC1 's Gardening Australia [ 57]
28 July – TV journalist, This Is Your Life 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 27 years on air.
28 August – Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos spin-off of Australia's Funniest Home Videos 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.
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.[ 58]
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".[ 59] 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.[ 60]
6 February – Australia defeats Qatar 3–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Telstra Dome in Melbourne .[ 61]
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 .[ 62]
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 .[ 63]
16 March – British driver Lewis Hamilton wins the 2008 Australian Grand Prix .[ 64]
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.[ 65]
1 June – Australia defeats Iraq 1–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane , Queensland.[ 66]
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.[ 67]
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 .[ 68]
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 .[ 69]
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 .[ 70]
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 .[ 71]
28 December – The yacht Wild Oats XI Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race . Quest is the race's handicap winner.[ 72]
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
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
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
^ 2008 – Year of the Scout Archived 21 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine , Scouts Australia.^ [1] [dead link ] ^ Historic flight lands in Antarctica Archived 24 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine , Sydney Morning Herald ^ Darby, Andrew: Whale activists 'captured' Archived 18 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ Police Use Pepper Spray on Fans at Australian Open After Racial Slur Allegations Archived 19 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Fox News Channel , 16 January 2008.^ Winery owner killed in blast Archived 17 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 17 January 2008.^ ACP Magazines announces closure of The Bulletin magazine Archived 27 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Bulletin (via ninemsn ), 24 January 2008.^ Shanahan, Leo: Paddling protesters challenge dredger Archived 16 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ "A historic first: traditional Indigenous welcome begins Parliament" . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 February 2008. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018 .^ "Rudd: We say sorry" . ABC News Online . ABC. 13 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2008 .^ "Cardboard Rudd sparks uproar in Parliament" . ABC News Online . ABC. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008 .^ Record heatwave in SA [dead link ] Sky News ^ Dart, Jonathan: Orkopoulos found guilty , The Sydney Morning Herald
^ Sydney located: report Archived 24 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ $1bn Murray breakthrough Archived 16 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Authorities probe Opes Prime collapse Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 31 March 2008.^ Mitsubishi to close SA plant in March Archived 8 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Associated Press (via Yahoo!7 ), 5 February 2008^ Schneiders, Ben: At the third stroke it will be one hour ago Archived 3 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ David Hicks free to talk , The Age ^ Melbourne taxi drivers end blockade Archived 2 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 30 April 2008.^ Five killed in late-night Sydney Harbour boat crash Archived 5 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald ^ Mokbel lands in Melbourne Archived 17 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 17 May 2008.^ "Q&A Case Study | Youth Engagement" . Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018 .^ Kevin Morgan (2012) Gun Alley: Murder, Lies and Failure of Justice (2nd Ed., updated). Hardie Grant Books (Australia) Melbourne. ISBN 9781742702667
^ Darby, Andrew: Tasmanian premier Lennon announces resignation , The Age
^ Camden Council opposes Islamic school development Archived 29 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 27 May 2008.^ Australia withdraws troops from Iraq , Reuters , 1 June 2008.^ Gas plant explosion exposes State's vulnerability , The West Australian Archived 5 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine ^ "Club offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action" . The Sydney Morning Herald Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008 .^ Rudd thanks 'passionate, colourful' Democrats , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 26 June 2008.^ Hard-core Apple fans get their fix Archived 15 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald ^ Pope arrives in Australia , ITV , 13 July 2008. Archived 3 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine ^ Sweeping changes to mandatory detention announced Archived 20 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine , ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation ), 29 June 2008.^ World's biggest ecstasy bust Archived 10 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald ^ Labor's clean sweep broken [dead link ] The Australian ^ Malcolm Turnbull wins Liberal leadership Archived 17 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Grattan, Michelle: Rudd pressed on Bush call Archived 27 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine ,The Age
^ "SEQ Severe Thunderstorm and Microburst at The Gap" . Archived from the original on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009 .^ Rudd locks in 5pc emissions cut Archived 18 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 15 December 2008.^ Del Kathryn Barton wins Archibald Archived 10 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald ^ Australian author wins Astrid Lindgren prize Archived 13 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Police quiz photographer over nude shots Archived 30 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 22 May 2008.^ Steger, Jason (20 June 2008). "Third book is a charm for author" . The Age. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008 . ^ "The 2008 winners" . Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008 .Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts ^ First-time novelist wins Vogel prize Archived 19 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 19 September 2008.^ Aravind Adiga wins Booker prize Archived 18 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Smile Australia, you're on Google's candid camera , The Age ^ It's an Oscar for Eva , The Age ^ Idato, Michael; Bibby, Paul (8 February 2008). "Not the retiring type: Martin quits Nine" . The Sydney Morning Herald Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008 . ^ Knox, David (8 February 2008). "Welcome ABC1..... bye bye ABC TV!" . tvtonight.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008 . ^ Underbelly blocked by murder trial judge [dead link ] Herald Sun ^ Nine downloads series ahead of TV launch [dead link ] News Limited , 7 April 2008.^ Cubby, Ben: Jack the top dancer Archived 30 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald
^ Dubecki, Larissa: 'Home and Away' is far and away viewer favourite Archived 8 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ Ricketson, Matthew: Seven apologises for incest episode Archived 5 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ Molloy, Shannon: Big Brother reaches 'ugly' end Archived 25 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Brisbane Times
^ Blooming marvellous Archived 14 July 2024 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Cricket-Australia beat India in thriller to equal world record , Reuters UK , 6 January 2008.^ Indian tour on hold Archived 8 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ New era as Djokovic wins Aussie Open and first Grand Slam title Archived 28 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Lynch, Michael: Night ends by smashing Qatar Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ Jets crowned A-League champions Archived 14 July 2024 at the Wayback Machine , ABC Online , 24 February 2008.^ A-League expansion deferred Archived 14 July 2024 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Hamilton survives the carnage Archived 22 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Schwarzer's late save secures point for Australia Archived 27 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 26 March 2008.^ Kewell stars as Socceroos sink Iraq Archived 14 July 2024 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Maroons clinch Origin three-peat Archived 29 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2 July 2008.^ Baum, Greg: It's Adam's eve Archived 23 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age
^ Hawthorn pulls off grand final heist Archived 30 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ New Zealand win Rugby League World Cup Archived 22 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine , The Sydney Morning Herald ^ Hail to the king of a dozen bold cups Archived 7 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Age ^ Skandia's skipper hails 'great job' , Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 28 December 2008. Archived 30 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
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