1995 in Australia

See also:

Incumbents

January 30 - John Howard becomes federal Liberal leader & thus federal leader of the opposition after the resignation of Alexander Downer.
February 18 - Elections in the ACT replace the minority ALP government of Rosemary Follett & elect a minority Liberal Party government of Kate Carnell.
March 25 - Bob Carr leads the Labor Party to victory in the New South Wales state election, deposing the Liberal/National coalition government of John Fahey that had been in power since 1988.
May - The Australian Grand Prix is moved from Adelaide to Melbourne after the Premier of Victoria spends what is reported to be quite a large amount on securing the rights to the race from 1996 onwards. Protests ensue about what many saw as the turning of public parkland into a private racetrack.
June-July - Qantas is privatised.
July 15 - The Queensland state election produces a hung Parliament, with Labor holding a one seat majority over the Liberal/National coalition. However, irregularities are reported in the seat of Mundingburra, which was won by the Labor Party. After a recount, the seat goes to the coalition. This, combined with the decision of Gladstone-based independent Liz Cunningham to support the coalition, ensures that the coalition form the government in Queensland.
November - The rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) escapes from an island testing station in South Australia & quickly spreads into Victoria. It is estimated that the feral rabbit population would be permanently reduced by 60%.

January - Today Tonight debuts on the Seven Network
Pay television arrives in Australia with Foxtel & Optus Vision launching in the metropolitan areas & Galaxy & Austar launching in regional areas that year.
May - Kerry Stokes becomes chairman of the Seven Network after reaching 20% ownership of the company.
STW-9 is purchased by Sunraysia Television after a fierce bidding war with WIN Television.

March 31 - The Super League war begins. Lightning raids begin across the country to sign players on vastly inflated contracts. The Kerry Packer backed ARL reponds by signing 50 players an equally inflated contracts on April 2.
May 15 - The Paul Vautin-coached Maroons win the opening State of Origin match 2-0 at the Sydney Football Stadium (now Aussie Stadium). The win is all the more amazing as the team is made up largely of relatively unknown players, thanks to Super League.
September 24 - The Canterbury Bulldogs (playing as the Sydney Bulldogs) defeat the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 17-4 to win the 88th NSWRL/ARL premiership.
September 25 - Opening arguments are heard in the ARL/SL case in the Federal Court, which will decide the future of rugby league in Australia.
September 30 - The Carlton Blues (21.15.141) defeat the Geelong Cats (11.14.80) to win the 99th VFL/AFL premiership. It is a record 16th premiership for Carlton.
November 12 - After 10 years, the last Australian Grand Prix to take place on the streets of Adelaide takes place.