1985 in Australia

See also:

[edit] Incumbents

February 1 - AM stereo broadcasting starts in Australia.
February 5 - Australia cancels its involvement in U.S.-led MX missile tests.
March 2 - The ALP government of John Cain reelected in Victoria for a second consecutive term.
April 28 - The Nuclear Disarmament Party (NDP) splits.
June 4 - Melbourne celebrates its 150th anniversary
September 5 - John Howard replaces Andrew Peacock as federal Liberal leader & thus federal Leader of the Opposition
November 25 - A man wearing a chicken suit walks into the House of Representatives and sits on the government front bench. He is later removed.
December 7 - The Labor government of John Bannon is re-elected for a second term in South Australia.

Capital gains tax is introduced
New South Wales abolishes capital punishment for treason & piracy with violence, thereby abolishing capital punishment from Australia.
The McClelland Royal Commission into the nuclear tests at Maralinga in the 1950s reports its findings.

March 9 - The National Gallery of Australia purchases the painting L'Après-midi à Naples (An Afternoon in Naples) by Paul Cézanne for AUD $1 million.

February 11 - Ray Martin takes over Mike Walsh's old daytime slot, replacing The Mike Walsh Show with Midday with Ray Martin.
February 18 - Network 0/28 becomes known as SBS.
March 18 - Neighbours premieres on the Seven Network. Six months later it is axed, but Network Ten picks it up and it becomes a massive hit for them.
June 8 - Hey Hey It's Saturday moves to 6:30pm Saturdays.

June 11 - New South Wales win their first Rugby League State of Origin series.
August 17 - North Melbourne play their last game at the Arden Street Oval. North Melbourne defeat Richmond, 16.20.116 to 9.12.66.
September 28 - Glenelg Tigers defeat North Adelaide Roosters for the SANFL flag.
September 28 - The Essendon Bombers (26.14.170) defeat the Hawthorn Hawks (14.8.92) to win the 89th VFL/AFL premiership. It is the second consecutive premiership for Essendon.
September 29 - The Canterbury Bulldogs defeat the St. George Dragons 7-6 to win the 78th NSWRL premiership. It is also the second consecutive premiership for Canterbury.
November 3 - The first Australian Formula 1 grand prix takes place on the streets of Adelaide.