31 December – Australian Stock Exchange ends 2010 with the ASX 200 Index down for the year 2.58% and the All Ords Index down 0.73%.
21 December – Former Victorian Premier John Brumby resigns from Parliament after state election loss.
20 December – Government releases National Broadband Network business plan.
18 December – The latest Face-to-Face Morgan Poll conducted last weekend, December 11/12, 2010, shows the L-NP (51.5%, up 4% from the Face-to-Face Morgan Poll of December 4/5, 2010) now ahead of the ALP (48.5%, down 4%) on a Two-Party preferred basis.
17 December – Unrest on Christmas Island as detainees protest over conditions.
16 December – Assange granted bail in UK against rape charges.
15 December – Death toll estimated at around 30 following a refugee boat crashing on rocks at Christmas Island.
14 December – WikiLeaks reveal US Ambassador questions whether Australian budget can afford to pay for defence equipment spending.
Australian newspaper chiefs in a letter to Julia Gillard deplore her attacks on WikiLeaks chief Assange.
The Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, has wrapped up a visit to the Middle East by telling Israel it should allow UN inspectors into its nuclear facilities. Mr Rudd insists this is consistent with Australia's previous position.
12 December – Treasurer Wayne Swan unveils program to restrict increases in bank fees.
9 December – WikiLeaks reveal Gillard government Minister Mark Arbib has been briefing the US Embassy on the Labor Party.
7 December – Julian Assange, WikiLeaks head arrested in London after presenting himself to police. He is denied bail on Swedish charges of rape, which he denies.
5 December – WikiLeaks reveal US State Department Minister Kevin Rudd when Prime Minister, suggested to Hilary Clinton force may be needed if China could not be successfully integrated into the international community.
2 December – Gillard holds first community Cabinet of her government in the electorate of Petrie, Qld.
29 November – Outgoing Labor Premier John Brumby concedes defeat in Victorian election.
27 November – Swing against the Victorian Labor government of 6% in state election, but outcome not clear at end of night.
24 November – After refusing for weeks to release the business plan for the National Broadband Network, the government releases a summary with matters of commercial confidentiality removed. It secured a deal with Senator Nick Xenophon which should see the vital legislation splitting Telstra passed as Senator Fielding has also said he will vote for the bill.
14 November – APEC meeting in Yokahama winds up with agreements for establishment of a free trade zone among its members.
12 November – The Opposition insists the government to explain itself after allegations it misled the public over requests from the United States to send more troops to Afghanistan. Fairfax newspapers reported there were repeated requests by the US which were rebuffed.
Fairfax newspapers report the US repeatedly asked Australia for more troops but was rebuffed – an allegation denied by the Federal Government.
G20 group of nations meeting in Seoul decline to endorse United States demands that China allows its currency to appreciate.
11 November – High Court delivers unanimous judgement that asylum seekers arriving by boat should be treated in the same way as people arriving by plan. Future of Christmas is thrown into doubt as detention centre.
7 November – Hillary Clinton arrives in Australia.
2 November – Reserve Bank increases the cash rate by 0.25% and Commonwealth Bank produces rage by pushing up loan rates by a further 0.2%.
26 October – Newspoll confirms Nielsen findings on drop in Labor vote.
25 October – Nielsen poll shows Labor’s primary vote has crashed to 34% and the Coalition lead Labor two-party preferred 51% to 49%.
19 October – Parliament debates war in Afghanistan.
14 October – Following angry meetings of irrigators in towns within the Murray-Darling Basin over proposed reductions in water allocations by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Gillard government sets up a parliamentary committee of inquiry into the proposed cuts. Tony Windsor is the chair.
11 October – Julia Gillard rejects claims by Abbott she had engaged in “Machiavellian bastardry” over his visit to Afghanistan.
8 October – Murray-Darling Basin Authority report on water restrictions in the basin released. Bitter complaints from irrigators on cuts to water rights.
7 October – First meeting of parliamentary committee on climate change. Gillard announces dumping of election promise for a citizen’s assembly to consider the issue.
4 October – Argument erupts between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott over the Opposition Leader not accompanying her to Afghanistan.
3 October – Gillard visits Afghanistan on way to international meeting in Europe.
2 October – NSW Premier Kristina Keneally denies reports she intends a takeover of Peter Garrett’s federal seat of Kingsford Smith.
1 October – Government releases discussion on paper on proposed mining tax.
29 September – First question time of new Parliament and under new rules, limiting answers to four minutes.
27 September – Parliament opened by Governor-General, Quentin Bryce. Harry Jenkins, Speaker in previous Parliament again takes the chair. Government wins tactical battle by nominating Liberal Peter Slipper for deputy Speaker who defeats the Coalition’s nomination, Bruce Scott in a secret ballot.
27 September – Julia Gillard announces membership of climate change committee.
25 September – Liberal MP Alex Somlyay, having at first agreed to take the position of deputy Speaker, backs down after Tony Abbott’s press secretary Tony O’Leary, had falsely issued a statement purporting to come from Somlyay that he was not interested in the job.
Labor had been prepared to back Mr Somlyay as deputy speaker if he agreed not to block supply or support no-confidence motions against the Government.
But Mr Somlyay released a statement yesterday saying he was no longer interested in the job.
24 September – Treasurer Wayne Swan repeats the government’s determination to get the Budget into surplus by 2012-13.
Independent MP Tony Windsor says he is very disappointed Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is walking away from an agreement on giving the speaker pairing rights
22 September – Climate Change Minister Greg Combet reveals there will be a price on carbon.
14 September – Gillard Government sworn in by Governor-General.
Tony Abbott announces his shadow ministry.
11 September – Prime Minister Gillard announces her new Ministry. Kevin Rudd becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs.
7 September – Independent Bob Katter announces he will support the Coalition. Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott state they will join the Green’s Adam Bandt and independent Andrew Wilkie to give Labor the 76 majority needed to form government.
2 September – Andrew Wilkie announces agreement to support a Labor Government and rebuffs Abbott’s offer for $1 billion for Hobart hospital.
1 September – Gillard and bob Brown sign an agreement for the sole green in the lower House to support a Labor Government
Australia’s GDP growth powers ahead with 1.2% in June quarter, far outstripping market expectations.
30 August – Coalition edges ahead of ALP in two-party preferred vote. Hung Parliament remains.
21 August – Election day. Counting closes for the night with neither Labor nor the Coalition winning sufficient seats to form a government – a hung Parliament.
18 August – Gillard and Abbott take questions from community forum in Brisbane.
16 August – Newspoll shows Labor leading two-party preferred 52% to 48%.
Labor launches campaign in Brisbane with Kevin Rudd in attendance.
14 August – Nielsen poll shows Labor has opened up an election winning lead two party preferred over the Coalition of 53% to 47%. Abbott 14% as preferred PM.
12 August – Morgan poll ( taken August 7/8) has ALP with a huge lead two-party preferred of 57.5%, to 42.5%.
11 August – Gillard and Abbott separately answer questions from audience at Rooty Hill in Sydney’s West.
9 August – Newspoll shows Labor leading two-party preferred 52% to 48%.
Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey debate the economy at the Press Club.
8 August – Liberals open campaign in Brisbane. Abbott promises a debt reduction commission.
Veteran Nine Network journalist Laurie Oakes, when asked how damaging Latham would be to Gillard, responded he was “more concerned about how damaging he would be to the Nine Network.”
7 August – Mark Latham accosts Julia Gillard in his new roll as a journalist for the Nine Network. Nine apologises to Gillard for his behaviour, but keeps Latham on Payroll.
Nielsen poll – Coalition 51% (down 1%), Labor 49% (up 1%).
Gillard – Rudd meet face to face for first time since Rudd dumped.
4 August – Rudd declares he will campaign for Julia Gillard. "The bottom line is, I can't just stand idly by at the prospect of Mr Abbott sliding into office by default," he told Phillip Adams.
2 August – Newspoll shows two-party preferred Labor 50% (down 2%), Coalition 50% (up 2%). She leads Abbott as ‘Preferred PM’ 50% to 35%.
Rudd discharged from hospital after his gall bladder operation.
1 August – Julia Gillard says she now intends to “be herself” in the campaign and not be scripted.
31 July – Nielsen poll shows huge election winning swing against Labor with Coalition leading two-party preferred 52% to Labor’s 48%
30 July – Kevin Rudd in hospital to undergo a gall bladder operation.
29 July – Gillard states any minister that leaks material from Cabinet will be sacked.
Gillard says Kevin Rudd has not been asked to campaign for Labor on a national level. Reports suggested that Rudd had been asked to take his campaigning further afield than his electorate of Griffith.
28 July – Laurie Oakes publishes leaks from the Rudd Cabinet that Julia Gillard had been against paid parental leave and increased pensions. Gillard denies this in press conference, as does other Labor ministers.
Underlying inflation rate for the year ended June at 2.7%, seemingly ended any prospect of a rate rise during election campaign.
25 July – Gillard and Abbott debate at National Press Club in only debate of the campaign. Journalists say result line ball. Worm gives debate to Gillard.
23 July – Gillard announces climate change policy, including a price on carbon to operate for 2013. Abbott repeats there will be no carbon price in his policy.
22 July – News Ltd papers report Julia Gillard offered a cabinet position to Kevin Rudd, which he accepted but she later withdrew. Rudd broke a deal that he would resign immediately on June 23 for Gillard to take over as Prime Minister and would be given a cabinet post in return.
Reuters Poll Trend survey of Newspoll, Morgan, Nielsen, Essential and Galaxy gives the Two-party preferred vote at Labor 53.5% (up 1.9% since 2 July), Coalition 46.5% (down 1.9%). As Preferred PM Gillard is 56% (up 3.8%), Abbott is 30.8% (down 2.8%).
21 July – Kevin Rudd opens campaign for his seat of Griffith, saying he is concentrating solely on local issues and that national issues are for others.
17 July – Gillard goes to Government House and Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, agrees to a general election on 21 August.
16 July – BP at last caps oil flow from Gulf of Mexico well 85 days after explosion allowed oil to flow freely into the ocean.
15 July – Treasurer Wayne Swan releases latest Treasury forecasts showing that the budget, despite reduction in the mining tax take, will still return to surplus by 2012-13, a surplus of $3.1 billion, up from $1 billion forecast in the May budget.
Laurie Oakes at Press Club asks whether at their three hour long meeting on the night of 23 June Rudd told Gillard he planned an October election and would stand aside before then if polls continued to be bad. Gillard accepted this, then challenged him for leadership. Gillard refused to reveal her side of conversation.
13 July – Cabinet meets to consider emission trading system.
Gillard announces a tax rebate for school uniforms.
7 July – John Faulkner announces he will relinquish Defence portfolio after the election and will go to Senate backbench. He says he is acting to give Labor’s talented backbench to refresh Ministry.
6 July – Gillard announces new policy on asylum seekers including negotiations with East Timor to act as a regional processing centre.
Tony Abbott says the East Timor initiative will never happen.
2 July – Gillard announces agreement with the major miners on tax increases.
US jobs in January disappointment with unemployment rate improving by only 0.2% to 9.5%. US economic growth at an anaemic 2.7%
30 June – Latest Newspoll shows record low for NSW state Labor, but Christian Keneally well ahead as Preferred Premier over Barry O’Farrell.
Australian S&P/ASX200 index fallsfor seventh day, but for financial year 2009-10 it was the best performance in three years.
29 June – Rudd moves out of The Lodge.
28 June – Gillard announces minimal changes to Ministry. Rudd not included but Gillard says she will be happy to give him a senior ministerial role if she wins election.
24 June – Caucus meets and elects Julia Gillard unopposed as ALP leader. Wayne Swan elected unopposed as deputy leader.
Rudd holds a tearful press conference emphasising the good record of his government.
Gillard holds a press conference with Swan alongside her. She says she will withdraw government ads on the mining tax and urges mining industry to withdraw its TV ads against the mining tax and negotiate. Miners agree to suspend ads. Gillard also undertakes to continue
23 June – Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan, John Faulkner and Anthony Albanese visit Rudd’s office for lengthy meetings. Word leaks out from factional union leaders that a challenge to Rudd is to be mounted next day.
Rudd calls a press conference and says he will call a party meeting at Julia Gillard’s request and he will contest a ballot for the leadership of the ALP.
22 June – Labor Caucus meets. No suggestion of a move against Rudd’s leadership.
21 June – Labor recovers some ground in latest Newspoll, two-party preferred ALP 52% (up 1 point) and Coalition 48% (down a point).
22 June – Final meetings of Labor and Coalition partyrooms with no change in leadership.
19 June – Labor loses NSW state seat of Penrith by election with record swing against it.
17 June – Government’s paid parental leave scheme passes Senate.
14 June – Widespread media speculation over a possible challenge to Rudd by Julia Gillard. Backbenchers say she only has to put her hand up to be leader.
12 June – West Australian publishes poll showing the two-party preferred vote in WA as Coalition 62% to Labor's 385.
7 June – Nielsen poll shows that if an election was held now, Labor would lose.
4 June – The NSW state Labor government in turmoil after the resignation of two more ministers. Ian MacDonald quit after allegations he misused taxpayers funds and the former Juvenile Justice Minister Graham West stepped down for family reasons.
3 June – The mining company Xstrata has hit back at claims its reasons for postponing two major Queensland mining projects aren't genuine. The company has rejected suggestions other factors are to blame and says it's solely because of the Federal Government's super profits tax.
The union representing workers at one of the projects put on hold has described Xstrata's decision as 'duplicitous' and 'disgusting'.
1 June – Israel attacks unarmed flotilla of ships attempting to break blockade of Gaza with nine protestors killed by Israeli borders.
Federal Government receives stinging criticism of its super profits tax from Rio Tinto chairman and the chairman of Infrastructure Australia, Sir Rod Eddington.
28 May – Government gives itself right to god around its own rules on government advertising to spend taxpayers' money on ads to argue for Resources Super Profits Tax.
27 May – Tony Abbott announces boat people policy akin to Howard’s Pacific Solution.
26 May – Malcolm Fraser resigns from Liberal Party.
25 May – It is revealed the European debt crisis the pushed the ASX to the lowest level in a month.
20 May – Wall Street falls to lowest level since February and other markets join in fall as fears rise for stability of Euro zone and economic future of China. US jobless worst for three months casting doubts on US recovery.
NSW state government minister, David Campbell caught by SEVEN TV leaving a gay club in Kensington, Sydney.
19 May – Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey bungles announcement of Opposition proposals for savings cuts in Budget, following Tony Abbott’s Budget reply speech in Parliament that Hockey would provide details of cuts.
17 May – Persistent fears of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis sends Australian stock market to a $12 months low, wiping $40 billion of stocks.
Government leaps on admission by Tony Abbott admits on the 7.30 Report that not everything he says is true. Abbott said sometimes says things in the heat of the moment that are not absolutely correct, but the public can fully rely on his carefully scripted and considered remarks
13 May – Tony Abbott in Budget reply speech in Parliament predicts next election will be fought on the super profits tax on miners which he opposes.
11 May – Treasurer Swan brings down 2010-11 Budget.
10 May – Nielsen poll, with two-party preferred vote at 50% each for government and Coalition, confirms Newspoll crash in government standing of a week earlier.
EU and IMF produce more than a $1 trillion bail out to halt the Euro crisis stemming from the Greek financial disaster. Stock markets come roaring back.
6 May – Wall St drops over 3% after recovering most of astonishing 1000 point drop in market attributable to a computer glitch.
Greek Parliament votes to accept aid offer from EU, mainly Germany including conditions demanding heavy cuts to wages and pensions. Rioting in streets while Parliament met.
5 May – Tony Abbott declares Opposition will oppose super tax on miners’ profits.
4 May – Rudd and Labor crash in Newspoll with Coalition leading Labor two Party Preferred by 51% to 49%. Newspoll says the outcome entirely due to Rudd shelving the emission trading scheme.
3 May – Mining industry rages against super tax on profits.
2 May – Henry Tax Review released with Labor ignoring nearly all of his recommendations, but notably not a super profits tax on resource companies. Government to use tax mainly to assist in funding a 12% compulsory superannuation levy which Henry did not recommend as use for revenue from super tax on miners.
28 April – Rudd announces attack on tobacco with a plain packing regime and heavy excise increase adding $2-17 to cost of a packet.
27 April – Sydney Morning Herald breaks story that Rudd is putting the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS -emission trading) on hold until after the election, thereby ruling out a double dissolution election.
23 April – Abbott’s speech to Lowy Institute suggesting Australians take over from the Dutch in Afghanistan.
12 April – The Australian stockmarket burst trough the 5000 points barrier for the first time since the beginning of the world economic crisis.
10 April – Kevin Rudd offers emergency department patients would have to wait no longer than four hours under a $500 million federal government plan if states sign up to hospital proposals.
9 April – Government announces suspension of processing asylum claims, 6 months for Afghans and 3 months for Tamils
Ruling Sinhalese party claims victory in Sri Lanka election.
7 April – Tony Abbott starts in Pollies Peddle 1000 kilometre bike ride over 8 day from Melbourne to Sydney.
6 April – Malcolm Turnbull announces he will not stand for the next Parliament.
4 April – Kevin Rudd appoints Tony Burke to undertake a 12 months study of population
28 March – Abbott competes in iron man race.
25 March – Abbott, having insisted Barnaby Joyce was an excellent Finance Minister, demotes him to regional, water and infrastructure shadow.
23 March – Press Club debate on Health between Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.
21 March – Against predictions Labor narrowly wins SA election. As predicted Labor loses in Tasmania.
11 March – Rudd begins visits to state Premiers to win acceptance of his hospital funding scheme.
9 March – Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrives in Australia for official visit.
AC Nielsen records a slight fall in Labor’s standing two-party preferred – ALP 53% (down 1% on a month earlier), Coalition 47% (up 1%). As preferred PM Abbot is closing: Rudd 57%) (down 1%), Abbott 35% (up 3%).
3 March – Kevin Rudd announces proposal for the Commonwealth to take over funding of public hospitals.
3 March – Kevin Rudd announces plan for Commonwealth to take over funding of hospitals.
2 March – Newspoll (taken Feb 26 – 28) has two-party preferred as ALP 52% (down 1% in a fortnight and Coalition 48% (up 1%).
Reserve Bank increases cash rate by 0.25% to 4%.
23 February – Government releases report on terrorism threat. Announces new powers for ASIO, including countering people smugglers.
19 February – Government announces end of ceiling insulation scheme and revamp of its Green Loans program.
16 February – The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Workplace Relations Minister, Julia Gillard, says the Opposition is trying to reintroduce the Work Choices. By stealth. Tony Abbott says relax unfair dismissal laws for and restore statutory non-union contracts and individual employment agreements.
11 February – Tony Abbott calls for resignation of Peter Garrett over four deaths in home insulation program.
8 February – AC Nielsen poll two-party preferred has Labor on 54% (down 2% since the end of November and the Coalition on 46% (up 2%).
Malcolm Turnbull in Parliament supports the Government’s emission trading scheme and delivers a stinging attack on Abbott’s alternative plan.
5 February – World markets slump in wake of Wall Street slump. ASX down 2.5% at close.
Good news out of the United States with the January unemployment numbers better than expected. The US jobless rate fell to 9.7 per cent. It's lowest level in five months, despite loss of another 20,000 jobs
4 February – Wool Street slumps 2%.
Obama warns that Senate might not pass his cap and trade greenhouse gas emissions abatement legislation.
2 February – Tony Abbot unveils $3.2 billion climate change abatement plan based on incentives.
Reserve Bank surprises by not increasing interest rates.
1 February – Treasurer Swan releases latest Intergenerational Report – looking forward 40 years. It forecasts a population of 35 million by 2050, with the proportion aged 65 and over expected to almost double. Wayne Swan wants to encourage more older Australians to stay in the workforce or go back to work.
27 January – Government's confirms target of carbon emissions cut of 5 per cent by 2020, promising higher targets only if there is a world agreement. The Opposition says it's an admission that Copenhagen talks failed, while the Greens say the pledge undermines any chance of a deal being done.
25 January – Government adviser Ross Garnaut says Government should press ahead with a market-based solution to climate change. He favors a modified emissions trading scheme with a fixed price for the first years. He's sceptical the Opposition's proposals for direct action could do enough to cut emissions.
24 January – Kevin Rudd says growth in aged population will force up health costs over next 40 years.
20 January – Retired head of the military General Cosgrove, says attacks on Indian students in Australia have become a major problem and most Australians would welcome the rigorous prosecution of the attackers. In an Australia Day speech, the retired general says there are undoubtedly pockets of racism in Australia.
19 January – First Newspoll shows small gains for Tony Abbott and Coalition compared to previous poll (4-6 Dec 09).
14 January – Tony Abbott proposes a referendum to give the Commonwealth power over the waters of the Murray-Darling basin.
13 January – Refugee advocate David Manne demands to know basis of ASIO assessment that five Sri Lankan asylum seekers on Christmas Island are a security risk. They have been found to be genuine refugees but will be denied entry to Australia.
13 January – Deadly earthquake strikes Haiti, killing tens of thousands.
12 January – Tony Abbott says he will introduce a private members bill to overturn Queensland legislation protecting wild rivers in Cape York. He complains it denies aborigines use of their traditional land.
6 January – Japanese security ship rams and breaks in half high tech Ady Gil vessel shadowing Japanese whalers on behalf of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
5 January – Bureau of Meteorology reports that the decade ending 2009 was the second hottest since reliable records began in 2010. Environment Minister Peter Garrett
4 January – Productivity Commission report on executive pay.
2 January – Former Indian student stabbed to death in Melbourne.
25 December – Terrorist attack on US airliner fails. Obama concerned that bomber got past security to board plane even though CIA was interested in him.
24 December – US Senate passes Obama’s health bill.
20 December – Rudd vows to continue with emission trading system.
Tony Abbott, Opposition Leader, describes Copenhagen as a disaster and a blow to Prime Minister.
19 December – Copenhagen international climate change conference fails to come up with a meaningful agreement to maintain CO2 in atmosphere at 450 parts per mil to restrict temperature rise to 2c or less.
5 December – Liberals maintain their two-party preferred vote in by-elections for Bradfield and Higgins by-elections not contested by a Labor candidate.
3 December – NSW left faction Premier Nathan Rees decisively defeated in Caucus by right faction, which installed Kristina Keneally as Premier.
1 December – Abbott elected Lib leader 42 to 41 over Turnbull after the vote was Abbott 34, Turnbull 26, and Hockey 23.
27 November – Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey likely to challenge Turnbull for leadership when another spill motion is put on 1 December. Turnbull says he will win.
25 November – Malcolm Turnbull survives an attempted spill motion in Liberal partyroom by 48 to 35.
24 November – Coalition Party room considers amendments to emission trading legislation.
23 November – SA Premier Mike Rann denies he had sex with a barmaid.
18 November – asylum seekers leave Oceanic Viking and go to Indonesian detention centre.
17 November – Newspoll has two-party preferred vote as ALP 56% (up 4%), Coalition 44% (down 4%), thereby showing the previous poll showing a 14% turnaround against Labor was wrong.
9 November – Opposition Senate Leader Nick Minchin, on Four Corners declares climate is a conspiracy of the international left and declares a majority of the Liberal partyroom don’t believe human beings are causing, or are the main cause of the planet warming.
6 November – Research commissioned by the German Government finds that countries including China, India, Brazil and Mexico are on track to cut their emissions by 25 per cent by 2020. Climate groups say pressure is now on countries like Australia to come to the negotiating table
5 November – The Government ends week in worse shape than it started. Its policies on asylum seekers are blamed for its first serious poll slump in the polls and there is still no solution to the stand-off over the 78 asylum seekers on board the Oceanic Viking.
4 November – The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel & Science, Greg Combet, defends plans to replace the ‘Collins’-class fleet with 12 new submarines. The Opposition is doubtful the project can be delivered
3 November – Newspoll reports Labor falls by seven points in its popularity and in its primary and two party preferred rankings. The Coalition has increased its standing, but Turnbull.
1 November – Kevin Rudd announces former Treasurer Peter Costello will be appointed to the board of the Future Fund. The decision is attacked by Paul Keating as being disloyal to Rudd’s Labor colleagues.
30 September – Malcolm Turnbull tells Liberal Parliamentary Executive the partyroom must be with him on negotiations with the government on emission trading legislation.
28 September – Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens, in evidence to a parliamentary committee, supported the government’s stimulus package.
26 September - G20 Summit in Pittsburgh winds up. Determines that G20, not G8 will be premier world body outside the UN.
23 September – Chinese President Hu at the United Nations summit on climate change pledges to curb the growth of its carbon dioxide emissions.
22 September – Penny Wong writes to Turnbull and gives him four weeks to bring forward his amendments to the government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Latest Newspoll 67% in favor of CPRS legislation with 64% saying the should be modified so that it can be agreed by the Parliament.
11 September – Turnbull says a Coalition government would again consider individual work contracts.
Australian reveals government’s Productivity Places Program to deliver 711,000 training places over five years under attack from unions and employers.
10 September – Senate puts $2 billion hole in Budget by defeating legislation to deny private health insurance tax rebates from higher earners.
Australian Federal Police to conduct war crimes investigation into deaths of the Balibo five. Indonesia immediately expresses concern.
2 September – Official figures on GDP show Australian economy grew by 0.6% in June quarter.
Rudd and Swan say economic stimulus must continue.
30 August – Japanese voters eject formerly entrenched Liberal Democratic Party from power and elect the Democratic Party of Japan.
26 August – High Court declares the Australian Military Court unconstitutional. Defence Minister, John Faulkner says Government will urgently put in place temporarily the pre-2007 system wen the court was established by the Howard Government.
25 August – Brendan Nelson announces he is quitting Parliament immediately, forcing a by-election in Bradfield which Turnbull doesn’t want.
18 August – China signs up for $50 billion LNG from the Gorgon project partners.
17 August – ACNielsen poll very bad for Turnbull with Rud 67% as preferred PM to Turnbull’s 24%.
14 August – Government decides to split CPRS and renewable energy target bills.
13 August – Senate rejects government’s CPRS legislation. Vows to return legislation in November. If again rejected a double dissolution election could be called.
Senate Privileges Committee to investigate UteGate affair.
11 August – Opposition alternative carbon trading scheme widely criticised by green environmental groups and business, including Business Council of Australia.
Liberal backbencher, Wilson Tuckey attacked in Coalition partyroom for publicly criticising Opposition Leader Turnbull for his “arrogance and inexperience.”
10 August – Opposition unveils alternative carbon trading scheme designed by Frontier Economics and commissioned by the Opposition.
7 August – Reserve Bank’s quarterly Statement on Monetary policy forecasts GDP in 2009 would expand by 0.5%, up from prediction three months earlier of a contraction of 1%. Immediate speculation next rates move would be up.
4 August – Treasury official Godwin Grech admits to The Australian he was the author of the fake e-mail in the UteGate affair. Auditor-General’s report clears Rudd and Swan of all of the charges made against them by Turnbull. In his defence Turnbull says it wasn’t his fault, he relied on Grech’s information.
Police raid Melbourne homes to arrest a number of Somalia Australian residents allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on the Holsworthy Army base in Sydney.
30 July – ALP National Conference rejects tax breaks for corporate sector. Supports greater regulation of business.
27 July – Health and Hospital Reform Commission report recommends greater federal involvement in hospitals and health issues.
25 July – Draft report on redistribution of Queensland seats greatly favors ALP.
24 July – Tony Abbott says Liberal MPs shock back Malcolm Turnbull on emission trading scheme tactics.
22 July – Reserve Bank minutes says the global economy is stabilising. Resurgent China and rates cuts, plus fiscal stimulus has protected Australia from the worst impacts.
16 July – China’s annual growth rate jumps to 7.9%, above market predictions.
Local share market rebounded going above 4000 points for the first time in a month.
13 July – Fairfax press reports Chinese President Hu Jintao endorsed investigation into Rio activities that led to criminal detention of Hu.
10 July – Australia seeks to gain consular contact with Stern Hu. No reply from Beijing.
9 July – News breaks of arrest in Shanghai of an Australian, Stern Hu and three Chinese colleagues. Hu is the principal negotiator for Rio Tinto in current negotiations with Chinese companies on iron ore prices.
7 July – Fair Pay Commission refuses any increase in minimum wage because of concern about jobs.
Turnbull rehashes debt truck of 1996 aimed at stoking fears of government debt. Government counters with jobs truck.
2 July – Kevin Rudd delivers withering attack on journalistic standards at News Ltd.
29 June – Terrible polls for Malcolm Turnbull by ACNielsen, Newspoll and Galaxy. His popularity rating in negative territory and worse than Simon Crean’s and Brendan Nelson’s when they lost party leadership.
25 June – Senate defers vote on emission trading legislation to 13 August.
Parliament rises for Winter recess to 11 August after week of repeated attacks on Turnbull by PM Rudd, calling on him to resign because of his use of the fake e-mail on Oz-car affair.
22 June – Grech’s home raided by Federal police. They discover a fraudulent e-mail, the contents of which Turnbull has claimed should require Rudd to resign. Opposition admits it was wrong in requiring Rudd to resign and turns its attention to Wayne Swan claiming he was looking after his mate, car dealer John Grant. The Government counters demanding Turnbull resign for relying on a faked email.
19 June – Senate Finance Committee hears evidence from Treasury official Godwin Grech who recollects that he received an email from Rudd’s office about John Grant’s car dealership, but says his memory could be faulty.
15 June – Peter Costello announces he will not be seeking pre-selection for his seat of Higgins.
14 June – Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu declares recognition of need for a state of Palestine. No change in policy of illegal settlements by Isreal on West Bank.
13 June – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad overwhelming win Iranian elections. Result immediately challenged. Riots follow
11 June – Revelations that business exemptions granted to the legislation for 20% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020 is conditional on passage of the government measure for an emission trading scheme.
May unemployment at 7.6% lower than expected.
6 June – Kevin Rudd announces Cabinet reshuffle.
Barak Obama reaches out to Muslim world in Cairo speech.
5 June – John Faulkner appointed Minister for Defence.
4 June – Joel Fitzgibbon, Minister for Defence, resigns.
3 June – GDP growth for March quarter up by 0.4%, staving of threat of technical recession, following GDP decline in December 09 quarter.
21 eminent economists issue manifesto supporting Labor’s borrowing program (Financial Review).
2 June – Newspoll has Labor still in a commanding position two-party preferred on 55% (down 1% in a fortnight) with the Coalition on 45% (up 1%).
31 May – Liberal Party TV ads screened attacking level of borrowing by Rudd Govt.
27 May – Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Greg Combet, says if legislation for Emission Trading Scheme is blocked in the Senate the business community may not get the $12 billion in free carbon permits.
20 May – Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens says economic recovery in Australia is “real” and predicts developments in China and Australia will see recovery get under way towards the end of the year. Treasury Secretary Ken Henry stands by Budget recovery forecasts.
19 May – Newspoll, taken post-Budget has Labor improving 1% to 56% two-party preferred compared to a fortnight earlier, while the Coalition lost 1% to 44%.
18 May – Nielsen poll has Labor’s two-party preferred vote post-Budget falling 5% to
53% as against March.
12 May – Budget brought down.
7 May – April employment statistics surprisingly positive, unemployment down seasonally adjusted 0.3% to 5.4%.
5 May – Pakistan abandons February peace deal with Taliban in Swat Valley after militants attack an army convoy.
4 May – Rudd releases new emission trading scheme to operate in 2011.
2 May – Government releases Defence white paper.
30 April – Opposition releases report by the Centre for International Economics critical of the government’s emission trading scheme.
29 April – Kevin Rudd announces an additional 450 Australian military personnel are to go to Afghanistan.
21 April – The International Monetary Fund predicts Australia’s economy will contract 1.4% this year and unemployment will hit 7.8% next year.
20 April – Rudd admits that Australia will be “dragged into recession.”
16 April – A boat packed with asylum seekers near Ashmore Reef explodes, three dead, two missing and more than 40 injured.
15 April – Julia Gillard announces buyers found for 210 of ABC Learning Centres from a total of 241.
Government announces it will resurrect the failed alcopops tax in Senate. Steve Fielding says he is still opposed to the tax.
11 April – Riots in Thailand prevent heads of government meeting. Rudd’s plane turned back in mid-flight.
7 April – Rudd Government decides to go it alone and build the $43 billion broadband network, a project bigger than the Snowy. Government will establish a private company to build the network over seven to eight years with private sector investment capped at 49%.
Reserve Bank cuts interest rates by 0.25%, but banks refuse to pass it on.
6 April – On a visit to Turkey, President Obama reaches out to the world’s Muslims saying the US is not against them and praising their culture and their part in the success of the United States.
5 April – North Korean rocket launch to put a satellite into orbit fails. The west views this as proof of an on-going project to develop an inter-continental rocket capable with a nuclear warhead.
2 April – G20 meeting dealing with world financial crises ends. The communique gives and immediate lift to world stock markets.
31 March – Reserve Bank says Australia in a recession and warns the global recession will cause world growth contract by close to 2% and cost one in 10 workers jobs.
Reserve Bank stats show annual credit growth in Australia has slowed to 5.4%, its weakest level since 1994 and far below the 15% reached a year ago.
30 March – Terrorists dressed as police officers attack a police training academy in Lahore, Pakistan, killing18 people and wounding dozens more. The Pakistan military finally take control of the academy after a fierce gun fight.
27 March – Treasurer Wayne Swan blocks a full takeover by China’s Minmetals of OZ Minerals on the grounds that one o its potential mines, Prominent Hill, was close to the Woomera weapons testing facility.
26 March – Fairfax newspapers report that elements in the Defence Department are spying on the Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon over his relationship with Chinese business women Helen Liu (Liu Haiyan). Secretary of Defence Nick Warner and Defence Chief Angus Houston said they know nothing of allegations, including claims the Defence Signals Directory hacked into Fitzgibbon’s office computer.
Fitzgibbon admits Liu paid for two visits to China when he was in Opposition and he failed to register these on the Parliamentary register of gifts. Fitzgibbon makes a public apology after being ordered to do so by Acting PM Julia Gillard.
25 March – Rudd Government announces it will guarantee state debt (estimated at $150 billion), to help the states raise funds for infrastructure projects. State borrowing costs on the market immediately fell.
23 March – Kevin Rudd departs for the US and London’s G20 talks.
Obama announces a public-private partnership to unclog credit markets from toxic assets. On Wall St the Dow jumps 7%. ASX also much higher
23 March – IR Minister Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan to opposed ACTU application to the Fair Pay Commission for a $21 per week increase in minimum wage safety net.
22 March – Bikie gang fight in Sydney airport terminal sees one bikie bludgeoned to death. Passengers and public terrified. No security appeared until 20 minutes after the brawl.
21 March – Queensland Labor Premier Anna Bligh becomes the first woman to be election as Premier in Australia. The easy win was not predicted by polls.
20 March – Senate passes Government’s industrial relations legislation to wipe out the Howard Government’s Work Choices after a deal between Julia Gillard and Senator Steve Fielding on unfair dismissal exemptions.
19 March – International Monetary Fund warns the global recession could be even worse than it latest forecast of a 0.5% - 1% contraction unless strong measures were taken to save the world’s banks.
Opposition and independent Senators defy Government and amend legislation designed to dump WorkChoices. Amendments give exemption from unfair dismissals to firms employing up to 20 workers, rather than the lower figure of the Government of less than 15 workers.
Tenth Australian solider killed in Afghanistan.
15 March – Malcolm Turnbull addresses Liberal Federal Council attacking the Government’s IR legislation and emission trading scheme. Peter Costello did not attend.
Sunday Telegraph reports a ring around of Liberal MPs revealed 29 he would support a challenge by Costello for Liberal leadership, 21 would support Turnbull, 11 refused to reveal their intentions and 22 did not return phone calls.
Ninth Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.
10 March – Latest Newspoll says 45% believe Peter Costello is best to lead the Liberals with Malcolm Turnbull on 38%.
Peter Costello and Malcolm Turnbull clash in party room over the Coalition’s attitude to the government’s legislation to ditch Work Choices.
6 March – Murray-Darling River agreement collapses with the South Australian Premier Mike Rann announcing the state will challenge the agreement on constitutional grounds. Complains about Victoria’s water trading restrictions.
In the United States auditor’s for General Motors raises questions about the viability of the company.
US jobless hit a 25-year high
4 March – National accounts for December quarter show GDP fell 0.5% and without the farm sector by 0.8%.
3 March – Reserve Bank leaves rates unchanged. Sri Lanka cricket team attacked in Pakistan.
29 February – President Obama asks Congress to pass record $Aust 5.57 trillion Budget for fiscal year 2010.
25 February – President Obama asks Congress to draft legislation for a cap and trade carbon emission reduction scheme.
Clothing maker Pacific Brands, sacks 1850 workers and says clothing manufacture no longer viable in Australia. Some of Australia’s best know brands will be produced in China.
23 February – Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announces a snap state election for 21 March.
16 February – Julie Bishop voluntarily gives up her position as shadow Treasurer and becomes shadow Foreign Minister, while remaining as Liberal deputy Leader. Joe Hockey becomes Shadow Treasurer. Persistent reports that Turnbull first offered Costello shadow Treasurer.
13 February – After concessions to independent Senator SA Senator, Nick Xenophon government’s $42 billion stimulus package passes Senate.
11 February – Melbourne-Westpac survey says consumer confidence continues to fall.
10 February – Australian business confidence falls to a record low according to an NAB survey.
7 February – Huge bushfires rage in Vic.
6 February – US jobless rise from 7.2% in Jan to 7.6% in Feb.
3 February – Kevin Rudd announces a $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan (NBJP) to support jobs and invest in future long term economic growth.
2 February – Kevin Rudd announces $115 billion of tax revenue will be lost to the Budget over the next fours years.
28 January – International Monetary Fund predicts the economy for the rest of 2009 will grow at the slowest rate since WW2, just 0.5%, and an actual decline when population increase is taken into account.
Inflation fell 0.3% in the December quarter, giving an annual inflation rate of 3.7%, down from the annualised rate of 5% in the previous quarter.
27 January – Treasurer Wayne Swan travels to PNG with Kevin Rudd for the Pacific Island Forum so both can talk about the Australian economy.
20 January – President Barak Obama inaugurated with in front of a record crowd of 2 million.
Rudd says the Government will take whatever action is necessary to fill a feared credit gap of $75 billion for Australian business caused by the drying up of overseas credit.
18 January – Israel PM Ehud Olmert announces unilateral cease-fire in Gaza. Israel forces will remain if Hamas keeps fighting.
15 January – December unemployment in Australia up only 0.1% to 4.5%, yet the biggest fall in six months. Falls in full time employment offset by rises in part time.
Big falls in global share markets. ASX down 5.2% since beginning of year.
Premier Nathan Rees and John Della Bosca deny reports of plot to get rid of Rees.
Treasurer Wayne Swan says tax cuts could be brought forward from May Budget.
Pappas McKinsey audit recommends $3 bill cut in defence budget and a big cut in civilian staff.
12 January – Public ‘Service Commissioner Lynelle Briggs warns work stress in departments will cause resignations from Public Serve.
10 January – Israel and Hamas ignore UN Security order for Gaza cease-fire. US abstains from vote.
8 January – Non-partisan US Congressional Budget Office forecasts US deficit will reach $US1.2 trillion in financial year ended 30 Sept.
5 January – Death announced of eighth Australian soldier, killed in a Taliban rocket attack in Afghanistan.
Israel launches ground attack in Gaza.
2 January – Unemployment outlook slumps with Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index falling to 33.7% in December, the seventh consecutive monthly fall.
1 January – Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, the centre of US occupation for almost six years, returned to Iraqi Government control.
