The following lists events that happened during 1977 in Australia.

1977 in Australia
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor-GeneralSir John Kerr, then Sir Zelman Cowen
Prime ministerMalcolm Fraser
Population14,033,083
Australian of the YearRaigh Roe and Murray Tyrrell
ElectionsWA, Referendum, NT, SA, QLD, Federal

1977
in
Australia

Decades:
See also:

Incumbents

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Malcolm Fraser

State and territory leaders

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Governors and administrators

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Events

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January

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February

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March

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  • 8 March - The Federal Government holds a reception in Canberra for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as they begin the Silver Jubilee tour of Australia.[11]
  • 9 March - Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Brisbane as part of her Silver Jubilee goodwill tour.[12]
  • 13 March - ABBA In Australia tour concludes.
  • 15 March -
    • The former Australian consul to Timor Jim Dunn prepares to testify to the United States Congress on Indonesian atrocities.[13] The Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik responds by threatening that his Government would allow "demonstrations and other mass actions" against the Australian Embassy to continue if further agitation against alleged Indonesian atrocities were allowed.[14]
    • Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock presents a 24-page speech to Federal Parliament in which he outlines a new direction in foreign policies based on Australia's richness in a world of want.[15] He says population and resources would be central future policies, as well as making attacks on Soviet Union military expansion.[15]
    • Federal Cabinet approves an agreement with the United States for the construction of the controversial Omega navigation station at a predicted cost of $15 million.[16]
  • 31 March - The Conciliation and Arbitration Commission’s wage decision is handed down.[17] The Commission indicates it would hold an inquiry into various aspects of wage fixation.[17] The Commission introduces a $5.70 a week increase on prices, prompting Federal Treasurer Phillip Lynch to say that the decision would retard the fight against inflation.[17]

April

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  • 13 April - The Premiers' Conference is held in Canberra where all governments commit to a three-month prices and wages freeze.[18]

June

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  • 15 June - The Gleneagles Agreement is unanimously approved by the Commonwealth of Nations at a meeting at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland. Commonwealth Presidents and Prime Ministers agree, as part of their support for the international campaign against apartheid, to discourage contact and competition between their sportsmen and sporting organisations, teams or individuals from South Africa.[26]
  • 22 June -
    • The Uniting Church in Australia is formed following the union of the majority of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Union churches in Australia.[27][28]
    • Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser meets with United States president Jimmy Carter in Washington.[29] Fraser is impressed by Carter 'as a decisive man' who would be 'setting American objectives in the great humanitarian issues'.[29] Carter undertakes to consult Australia before any agreement was concluded with the Soviet Union on arms limitation in the Indian Ocean.[29]

July

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August

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  • 7 August - At the Association of South-East Asian Nations meeting in Kuala Lumpur, prime minister Malcolm Fraser offers ASEAN leaders a package of increased bilateral aid of $250 million, as well as an extra $10 million for joint development projects, but claimed Australia could do nothing in its present economic circumstances to reduce trade barriers against their countries' products.[33][34]
  • 9 August - A board of inquiry into Housing Commission land deals is appointed by the Victorian Government with the power to investigate Cabinet decisions and to call Ministers to give evidence.[35]
  • 11 August - A 24-hour strike by postal staff at Melbourne's two biggest parcel centres stops more than 25,000 parcels being handled.[36][37]
  • 15 August - Cabinet decided that Australia would negotiate bilateral safeguards agreements with purchasers covering both present and future use of the uranium. Australia would seek an understanding with other exporters on the application and enforcement of safeguards, but this would not constitute a commercial cartel to control price or quantity.
  • 16 August - Federal Treasurer Philip Lynch presents the 1977–78 budget, with a predicted deficit of $2.21 billion.[38] It reduces personal income tax scales from seven to three (32 per cent, 46 per cent and 60 per cent) and also provides personal tax cuts to operate from 1 February 1978.[38]
  • 17 August - Federal Treasurer Phillip Lynch addresses the National Press Club of Australia and blames the Arbitration Commission for the lack of improvement in unemployment for its failure to restrain wages through its decisions.[39]
  • 21 August - Mail services returns to normal following the end of a national postal dispute.[40]
  • 23 August - Cabinet makes its final decisions on uranium mining in Australia, endorsing the main findings of the Fox inquiry unless there were 'compelling reasons' for departing from them.[41] It was agreed that mining could proceed, subject to environmental controls and a stringent nuclear safeguards regime.[41] The Ranger Uranium Mine could be developed without further environmental assessment, but the other two mines in the Alligator River region – Jabiluka and Koongarra – would not be approved for a considerable time.[41] Cabinet also agreed on the staged establishment of Kakadu National Park, although the Ranger, Jabiluka and Koongarra uranium leases were to be excluded from it.[41]
  • 24 August – Australia's first 7-Eleven convenience store opens in the Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh.[42][43]

September

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October

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  • 8 October – The Tasman Bridge in Hobart re-opens after repair to the damage sustained in the Tasman Bridge disaster when the bridge was struck by the bulk ore carrier MV Lake Illawarra on 5 January 1975.[50]
  • 19 October -
    • An employee of Air India’s Melbourne office is stabbed by a man who left a threatening letter, allegedly from the Ananda Marga-affiliated Universal Proutist Revolutionary Federation.[51]
    • Cabinet decides to review the management of explosives by Commonwealth agencies and to provide 203 more Commonwealth police for diplomatic security work, while foreign missions in Australia are urged to upgrade their security.
  • 27 October - Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announces that the 1977 Australian federal election will be held on 10 December.[52][53]

November

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December

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Science and technology

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Arts and literature

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Film

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Television

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Sport

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Births

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Deaths

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Six hikers safe in bush ordeal". The Sun-Herald. 2 January 1977. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Eels, crayfish kept lost hikers going". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 January 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b Holland, John (6 January 1977). "'Kamikaze' kills four". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  4. ^ Carman, Gerry; Gordon, Michael (14 January 1977). "Bodies two days in death home". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  5. ^ Carman, Gerry (15 January 1977). "Double killing: two leads". The Age. p. 3. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  6. ^ Cunningham, James; McIlraith, Shaun (19 January 1977). "Battle to free bodies". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  7. ^ "80 dead as wreck cleared". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 January 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  8. ^ "A milestone for the modern Elizabethans". The Age. 7 February 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Air lift of Asian refugees to safety". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 1977. p. 9. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Pop group's fans waited in vain". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 February 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  11. ^ "3,000 welcome the Queen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 March 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Queensland lives up to its name". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 March 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  13. ^ Hicks, Ian (14 March 1977). "US to check Timor charges". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  14. ^ McDonald, Hamish (16 March 1977). "Indonesia warns Aust over Timor protests". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Peacock warns Uganda, S Africa". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 March 1977. p. 11. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Cabinet 'yes' to Omega plan". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 March 1977. p. 2. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b c Withington, David; Basile, Vincent; Gratton, Michelle; Borschmann, Gregg (1 April 2023). "Indexation in danger". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  18. ^ Bowers, Peter; Frykberg, Ian; Martin, Keith (14 April 1977). "Seven govts united". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  19. ^ Roberts, Mike (16 May 1977). "Crowded meeting gives birth to a new party - Chipp's Australian Democrats". The Age. p. 3. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  20. ^ Bowers, Peter (21 May 1977). "Fraser forecasts massive Yes vote". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  21. ^ O'Reilly, Neil (22 May 1977). "Simultaneous polls are out - it's No for 1, Yes -3". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  22. ^ Gratton, Michelle (23 May 1977). "Senate election tipped: Referendum "No' result may be the trigger". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Voters tune in to Advance Australia Fair". The Age. 23 May 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Carter tells Fraser CIA actions not improper". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 May 1977. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b c Steketee, Mike (25 May 1977). "Federal Govt promises aid for manufacturers". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 14. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  26. ^ Bowers, Peter (15 June 1977). "Call to cut all sport ties with S Africa". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  27. ^ Gill, Alan (22 June 1977). "Great ecumenical advance: Uniting Church opens with Sydney rally". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 28. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  28. ^ Gill, Alan (22 June 1977). "More than 100 years to achieve Church union". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 29. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Bowers, Peter (24 June 1977). "Carter hails PM over uranium safeguards". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Ombudsman on the job today". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 July 1977. p. 3. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  31. ^ Allen, Peter (17 July 1977). "Drug slaying fears: Liberal Party official missing". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  32. ^ Sandlilands, Ben (18 July 1977). "'He's dead,' says Griffith wife". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  33. ^ Steketee, Mike (8 August 1977). "PM stands firm on trade - but ASEAN to get early tariff warning". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  34. ^ Steketee, Mike (8 August 1977). "Fraser cautions on Soviet arms growth". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  35. ^ Baker, Mark; Streel, Elisabeth (10 August 1977). "Wide power for probe". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  36. ^ Gordon, Michael (12 August 1977). "Bid to settle mail dispute". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  37. ^ Gordon, Michael; Carman, Gerry (13 August 1977). "Mail row: formula for peace". The Age. p. 3. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  38. ^ a b Bowers, Peter; Sketetee, Mike; Pierce, J N (17 August 1977). "Down goes personal tax". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 8–12. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  39. ^ Gratton, Michelle (18 August 1977). "Lynch hits pay bench". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  40. ^ "National mail flowing again". The Age. 22 August 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d Bowers, Peter (26 August 1977). "Go-ahead for uranium". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 8–9. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  42. ^ Wilkins, Sally (25 August 1977). "Jumbo-sized convenience". The Age. p. 2. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  43. ^ About Us Archived 15 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 7-Eleven Australia.
  44. ^ "Qld ban on street protest marches". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 September 1977. p. 17. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  45. ^ Withington, David; Warneke, Ross (7 September 1977). "Train, tram threat off". The Age. p. 11. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  46. ^ a b Steketee, Mike (7 September 1977). "Ellicott: Why I quit". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Uranium collision course set". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Massive hunt for diplomat's attacker - religious sect homes raided". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  49. ^ O'Reilly, Neil (18 September 1977). "SA Labor increases majority". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  50. ^ "Quiet start to bridge's second life". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 October 1977. p. 10. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  51. ^ Murdoch, Lindsay; Balderstone, Simon (20 October 1977). "Clerk stabbed in ransom bid". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  52. ^ Gratton, Michelle (28 October 1977). "Election battle begins". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  53. ^ Steketee, Mike (28 October 1977). "Campaign opens: economy the key". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  54. ^ O'Reilly, Neil (13 November 1977). "Joh back but big ALP swing". The Sun-Herald. pp. 1, 24. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  55. ^ Bowers, Peter (19 November 1977). "Lynch quits, denies guilt". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  56. ^ "Income averaging decision reversed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 December 1977. pp. 17–18. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  57. ^ "New premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 December 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  58. ^ "Swearing in of Sir Zelman Cowen". The Canberra Times. 9 December 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  59. ^ O'Reilly, Neil (11 December 1977). "Govt is back: Gough stands down". The Sun-Herald. pp. 1–3. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  60. ^ Bowers, Peter; Frykberg, Ian (23 December 1977). "Hayden pledge to review Labor's aims". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  61. ^ "For the winner, everything's in order this time". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 December 1977. p. 5. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  62. ^ "Literary award announced". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 April 1978. p. 2. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  63. ^ McIntosh, Philip (18 August 1977). "Director tries wisdom on 'wisdom'". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 2. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  64. ^ "After Melbourne's tee-shirts and fluffed lines, it's a kiss from Adelaide". The Age. 10 November 1977. p. 13. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  65. ^ "Saturday TV - November 19, 1977". The Age. 17 November 1977. p. 47. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023. ABV-2; 6.0: COUNTDOWN - ABC pop music series: Inc. film of Prince Charles launching Countdown Silver Jubilee Top 20 Album...
  66. ^ "This time it's a jolly cop shop". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 November 1977. p. 72. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  67. ^ "New serial centres on young". The Age. 1 December 1977. p. 37. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  68. ^ a b "It's bye-bye Bellbird and Number 96". The Age. 15 December 1977. p. 37. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  69. ^ "Rains keeps NSW fourth in Shield". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 1977. p. 15. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Victoria had 91 points from eight games with two wins and six draws to finish behind Western Australia who had 138 points.
  70. ^ Mossop, Brian; O'Reilly, Bill (13 March 1977). "Jaw smashed and McCosker is out". The Sun-Herald. pp. 76–77. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
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  72. ^ Myerscough, Ian (4 April 1977). "Two Canberra City players sent off". The Canberra Times. p. 22. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  73. ^ "Wallace wins marathon". The Age. 8 August 1977. p. 31. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  74. ^ "Australian Marathon Championship 1977". Athletics Australia. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  75. ^ a b Clarkson, Alan (18 September 1977). "League deadlock after extra time - replay next week". The Sun-Herald. p. 83location=. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  76. ^ "Dragons fire!". The Sun-Herald. 25 September 1977. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  77. ^ Dyer, Jack (25 September 1977). "VFL grand final on Saturday". The Sun-Herald. p. 83. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  78. ^ Dyer, Jack (2 October 1977). "North take 1977 VFL premiership". The Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  79. ^ Robertson, David (3 October 1977). "Moffat wins 'hardest race of career'". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  80. ^ Bourke, Tony (2 November 1977). "The surge to victory through a wall of horses". The Age. p. 1. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  81. ^ "Kiaola first again". The Age. 30 December 1977. p. 16. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  82. ^ "Player Profile – Darren Lockyer". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  83. ^ "Ada Nicodemou plays Leah Patterson-Baker". TVNZ OnDemand. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  84. ^ "Ben Hollioake: Obituary". telegraph.co.uk. 25 March 2002. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  85. ^ Risebrough, Don (16 January 1977). "Peter Finch - a star to the last". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  86. ^ Raftery, Judith. "Woollacott, Ernest Henry (1888–1977)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  87. ^ "Former Premier dies at 78". The Age. 25 April 1977. p. 5. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  88. ^ "Big Rex Connor ignored all critics". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 August 1977. p. 9. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.