The Tasmanian Parliament is recalled to debate guidelines for the Wesley Vale pulp mill.[citation needed]
31 January – Victorian Deputy Premier Robert Fordham resigns under pressure from the factions and Opposition over his handling of the VEDC fiasco.[4]Roger Pescott narrowly defeats Alan Stockdale in the final ballot for the position of deputy.[citation needed]
7 February – Joan Kirner becomes Victoria's (and Australia's) first female deputy premier after the resignation of Robert Fordham over the VEDC (Victorian Economic Development Corporation) crisis.[6]
March
1 March – The Industrial Relations Commission replaces the Australian Conciliation & Arbitration Commission.
21 March – Federal Cabinet decides to develop a third runway at Sydney's congested airport, leading to outraged protests from residents' groups and the sudden resignation from the Federal Ministry of Gary Punch whose marginal electorate of Barton bordered the airport.[9][10][11][12][13]
22 March – The Victorian Division of the National Safety Council collapses with debts of $235 million.[14]
April
5 April – CEO of the Victorian Division of the National Safety Council John Friedrichs is captured after 17 days on the run.[15]
15 April – John Anderson wins the 1989 Gwydir by-election, unopposed by either Labor or Liberal, after the retirement of National Party Deputy Leader Ralph Hunt.[16] Apart from Anderson, two far-right independent candidates are the only people to contest the by-election.[17]
27 April – A dawn raid by the Tactical Response Group kills innocent Aboriginal Redfern resident David Gundy and arouses community anger.[18][19] An inquiry into Gundy's death adds to already existing distrust of the police.[20][21][22]
May
6 May – Liberal Ian Macphee loses pre-selection for his seat of Goldstein in favour of hardliner David Kemp, amid accusations of branch-stacking and foul play.[23]
Andrew Peacock deposes John Howard as Federal Opposition Leader and Leader of the Liberal Party by a clear vote of 44 to 27.[24] Senator Fred Chaney is elected as Deputy Leader.[25]
Serafettin Huseyin kidnaps a group of kindergarten children, douses them in petrol and holds them hostage in a toilet cubicle at the Manresa Kindergarten in Hawthorn.[28][29] After a ten-day trial in February 1990, Huseyin is found guilty by a jury of 37 charges including 23 of false imprisonment.[30] He is subsequently sentenced to 21 years in prison, although he unsuccessfully attempts to have the conviction overturned.[31]
In the Harris-Daishowa affair, state Australian Labor Party General Secretary Stephen Loosley is convicted of not declaring a $10,000 donation from the wood chipping company.[32]
Liberal candidate Robin Gray wins the 1989 Tasmanian state election.[33] The Liberal Party secures 46.9% of the vote, while the Labor Party secures 34.7% and the Green Independents 17.1%.[33]
23 June – Vacancies caused by the departure to federal politics of New South Wales MPs Laurie Brereton, Laurie Ferguson and Janice Crosio see Labor retain the seats of Heffron, Granville and Smithfield.
July - Interest rates on home mortgages reach 17%.
August
9 August – The Victorian Government releases its Budget, proposing further savage cuts to the public sector due to the decreasing amount of Commonwealth funding available.
22 August – The damaging 2-month airline pilots' strike over a 30% pay rise begins in earnest. Prime Minister Bob Hawke makes a crusade of resisting the claim.
23 August – All of Australia's 1,645 domestic airline pilots resign over an airline's move to sack and sue them over a dispute, following a strike.
22 September – Queensland Emergency and Administrative Services Minister Russell Cooper becomes Queensland Premier after beating Mike Ahern in his second leadership attempt. Bill Gunn remains Deputy Premier.
17 October – New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner announces a Royal Commission under Mr. Justice Lee to investigate the case of Police Chief Superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been arrested and charged with sexual offences allegedly committed over a 20-year period. After several months, it was found that he had no case to answer.
20 October – Grafton bus crash – 21 people are killed and 22 are injured when a tourist bus collides with a semi-trailer on the Pacific Highway near Grafton.
22 October – The first Pride March is held at Parliament House, Perth as a rally in support of homosexual law reform (currently being debated in the West Australian Parliament).
25 October – In response to the Fitzgerald Inquiry recommendations, the Queensland Government establishes two new bodies - the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to be headed by former NCA Commissioner Sir Max Bingham and the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission (EARC) under Tom Sherman.
November
10 November – Gaby Kennard becomes the first Australian woman to fly non-stop around the world.
7 December – The Law Reform (Decriminalisation of Sodomy) Act 1989, decriminalising private sexual acts between two people of the same sex in Western Australia, is passed by the West Australian Parliament (going into effect in March 1990).
Kempsey bus crash – Two tourist coaches collide on the Pacific Highway north of Kempsey, New South Wales, 35 are killed and 39 injured. Both the Grafton and Kempsey bus crashes led to calls to make the Pacific Highway dual carriageway.
One of the few successful Australian Democrats Bills is passed through the House of Representatives on the voices. It outlaws the advertising of tobacco products in the print media.
25 December – A savage storm rips through Brisbane and Redcliffe, leaving a $5 million trail of destruction. Two people are killed, around 1,000 homes are damaged and about 4,500 homes suffer loss of electric power.
12 April – Fast Forward premieres in Australia (1989–1992).
June – Neighbours introduces a new look theme song. The theme is sung by Barry Crocker when it lasted until the end of 1994.
July – Bob Shanks takes over as managing director of Network Ten due to ailing ratings & totally revamps the network, giving it the name 10 TV Australia as well as introducing a new lineup with increased game show content. Most of the new shows are axed by the end of the year.
August – Acropolis Now premieres in Australia (1989–1992).
September – Network Ten is sold to Steve Cosser, head of Broadcom Australia, for $22 million.
31 December – Phase 2 of Aggregation of Television services occurs in Orange & Wagga Wagga, with aggregation occurring in Wollongong & Canberra in March
13 March – NSWRL unveils massive advertising campaign featuring rock legend Tina Turner singing What You Get is What You See.
17 March – First day of the Australian Track & Field Championships for the 1988–1989 season, which are held at the QEII Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland.
23 July – Bradley Camp wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:10:10 in Brisbane, while Jan Federick claims the women's title in 2:51:30.
11 August – Canterbury Bulldogs & Canberra Raiders meet at the WACA Ground in Perth in the first NSWRL match played outside the eastern states. On the same day, it is announced that the VFL will become known as the AFL from next season.
13 August – Marconi Fairfield win the NSL with a 2–0 victory over Sydney Olympic, in the last season to be played in traditional Winter format.
24 September – Canberra Raiders upset Balmain Tigers 19–14 in extra time at the Sydney Football Stadium (now Aussie Stadium) to win one of the most dramatic & exciting grand finals ever & take the NSWRL premiership outside Sydney for the first time. Raiders lock Bradley Clyde is awarded the Clive Churchill medal for man of the match. Illawarra Steelers finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon.
30 September – Hawthorn (21.18.144) defeat Geelong (21.12.138) to win the 93rd and indeed final VFL premiership until 1996, when the VFA would become known as the VFL.
^Angus, Nicole (9 January 1989). "Students face a testing time". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 50. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Campbell, Rod; Whitfield, Kathryn; Zakharov, Jeannie; Waterford, Jack (11 January 1989). "Police chief shot dead". The Canberra Times. p. 1-2. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Skehan, Craig; Brough, Jodie (4 November 1995). "Winchester killing: Eastman convicted". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Dixon, Robyn; Reddy, Muriel (1 February 1989). "Fordham falls, Left rises". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Jones, Bruce (5 February 1989). "Huge swing against Labor". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Dixon, Robyn (8 February 1989). "No plans to be premier, says Kirner". The Age. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Cumming, Fia (5 March 1989). "ACT poll fracture". The Canberra Times. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Stephens, Tony (21 March 1989). "Hawke in tears: how I cheated on Hazel". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
^Clark, Pilita; Cockburn, Milton; Moore, Matthew (22 March 1989). "Runway 3: Cabinet says yes". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Lyons, John (21 March 1989). "Noise, danger, land prices have Boy Minister jittery". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Chamberlin, Paul (23 March 1989). "Councils and residents ready to take fight to the High Court". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Quiddington, Peter (23 March 1989). "Ahh, for the days of peace and quiet". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Clark, Pilita; Cockburn, Milton (29 March 1989). "Scramble to take over from Punch". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Willox, Innes; Wilson, David; Robinson, Paul; Bottom, Bob (25 March 1989). "Safety council faces $235 loss". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Wilson, David; Bottom, Bob; Willox, Innes; Doogue, Edmund; Rau, Christine; Graham, Duncan (6 April 1989). "Runaway Friedrich grabbed". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^"As expected". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 April 1989. p. 2. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Jones, Bruce (23 April 1989). "Right-wing extremists set alarms ringing". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 42. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Zadel, Sonya (28 April 1989). "'Uptight' police kill man in raid". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Hewett, Tony (28 April 1989). "News that no-one wanted to pass on". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Fife-Yeomans, Janet (24 May 1990). "Gundy death inquiry allowed". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 7. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Garcia; Hewett, Tony (6 April 1991). "Payout for Gundy family". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Garcia, Luis M; Cornwall, Deborah (6 April 1991). "David Gundy: police victim". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 7. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Jones, Bruce (7 May 1989). "Libs in turmoil as Macphee dumped". The Sun-Herald. p. 3. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Cockburn, Milton; Ramsay, Alan; Walsh, Max (10 May 1989). "The Coalition Coup: Libs go back to the future". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Grattan, Michelle (10 May 1989). "Coalition dumps its leaders". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Metherell, Mark (10 May 1989). "There was no collusion, says Blunt". The Age. p. 6. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Peake, Ross (11 May 1989). "Sinclair accuses his NP colleagues of disloyalty". The Age. p. 15. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Willox, Innes; Boreham, Gareth (10 May 1989). "Man in court over kinder siege". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Gregory, Peter (17 February 1990). "Huseyin was determined to inflict a taste of his 'suffering' on other". The Age. p. 22. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Gregory, Peter (14 February 1990). "Kindergarten siege man convicted". The Age. p. 5. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Gregory, Peter (2 August 1990). "Siege man fails to have conviction overturned". The Age. p. 16. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Turner, Paulene (12 May 1989). "Loosley to appeal against fine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^ abMitchell, Alex (14 May 1989). "Green vote hits Libs in Tasmania - but strong rebuff for ALP". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^"Brisbane poll". The Sun-Herald. 14 May 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^"University here to say, says Bond". The Age. 16 May 1989. p. 26. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^"Peacock blasts 'stupid backers'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 May 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Murphy, Damien (24 May 1989). "Libs give Brown the reins". The Age. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Darby, Andrew (30 May 1989). "Accord a first, says green leader". The Age. p. 16. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Harvey, Sandra (31 May 1989). "Hilton bomb charge – 11 years later". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
^Pam Crichton (2007). Diane Langmore (ed.). Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 16. Melbourne University Press. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.