Australian History in the Early 21st Century Quiz

Answer: 2000

While the 27th Summer Olympics, held in Sydney between 15 September - 1 October 2000, were dubbed the Games of the New Millennium, they were actually held in the last year of the 20th Century. These games were dubbed "one of the most successful events on the world stage" and "such a success that any city considering bidding for future Olympics must be wondering how it can reach the standards set by Sydney" by the international media. Australia also did itself proud by coming fourth on the medal tally behind the far more populous United States, Russia and China, Australia winning 16 gold medals.

Answer: 2010

On 24th June 2010 Julia Gillard became the 27th Australian Prime Minister and first female PM. However she was not elected by the people, but was elected by her party in a leadership spill of the Australian Labor Party where she won a majority over sitting PM Kevin Rudd.
On 21 August at the federal election Julia Gillard retained the Prime Ministership when she was elected by the people and formed a minority government with independent MP support. However in 2013, she was deposed by Kevin Rudd in a leadership spill prior to the 2013 federal election.

Answer: 2009

On Saturday 7 February 2009, in hot dry conditions that made bushfires a very real proposition, over 400 bushfires were recorded in Victoria. The fires moved so rapidly, many people were caught in their homes or trying to flee the fires. A total of 173 people perished in the fire and over 400 were injured.

The livestock and material losses were similarly catastrophic. These were the worst bushfires in Australian history and are commonly referred to as Black Saturday.

Answer: 2008

Children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were forcibly taken from their families were dubbed the Stolen Generations. They were taken by the Australian Federal and State governments and their agencies as well as church missions. These acts were undertaken on behalf of their respective parliaments and the legislation in place from 1905-1969. The "removals" were mainly of "half-caste" children.
In the new government's (elected November 2007) first sitting in parliament, newly elected Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd gave a speech which was to be named a "National Apology to Indigenous Australians" for the stolen generations. The speech was more than an apology, but also a promise to "bridge the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian health, education and living conditions, and in a way that respects their rights to self-determination".
This was seen as a big step towards reconciliation between white and black Australia.

Answer: 2001

Australia became a country on 1 January 2001 when the six colonies federated to become the Commonwealth of Australia. The motives for forming a country were not always clear cut and a sizable minority thought it was a retrograde move. Nevertheless, Australia came into being and it has enjoyed its status as a wealthy nation with stable government and an enviable lifestyle. The Centenary of Federation was a typically low-key affair with activities planned and carried out but Australians as a country eschew pomp and ceremony.

They are a practical bunch who are very protective of their lifestyle but care not to celebrate it that much!

Answer: 2002

A year after 9/11, the Bali Bombings occurred on 12 October 2002. The death toll was high because there were two bombs used (a suicide bomber and a car bomb) within the confines of a crowded Kuta nightclub. The high percentage of Australians killed (88 from 202 deaths) was not accidental. "The Age" newspaper (14 November 2002) stated that "the Bali Bombings were in direct retaliation for support of the United States' war on terror and Australia's role in the liberation of East Timor" according to a cassette tape purportedly from Osama Bin Laden. Three members of a radical Islamist group, Jemaah Islamiyah, were convicted and were sentenced to death for their roles played in the bombings.

This bought no comfort to Australia. Arguably, this event had a more profound affect on the country than 9/11. Certainly the health care system and international security changed radically thereafter.

Answer: 2007

Australians are very conservative about changing governments. While a federal election is held every three years or less, prior to 2007, the government had only changed once since 1983. Analysis post-election suggested that key election issues were industrial relations, the retention of Medicare (Health insurance) and the need for greenhouse gas emission reductions.

The electorate agreed and the Australian Labor won 23 seats and the Liberal/National Party coalition lost 22 for government to change hands.

Answer: 2005

Australia prides itself on its embrace of multiculturalism. The riots of December 11 2005 were racially fuelled and remain one of the blackest days in Australian history. The troubles started with a dispute between North Cronulla lifeguards and a few people of Sydney's Lebanese community based in the Western suburbs at the Cronulla beach.

The incident was reported in the media. The following Sunday, many Australians of Middle Eastern descent travelled to the same beach. Other Australians also travelled there with an estimate 5000 people on the beach. What started as racial taunts soon turned to violence with police also being attached whilst trying to quell the riots.

The violence went into the night and flared up at Maroubra, a beachside suburb to the north.

More violent attacks happened on the following day. Operation Seta consisted of eight hundred police officers patrolling danger areas on the following nights, and 450 police officers blocking Cronulla on 13 December. A total of 285 charges against 104 people were laid in the subsequent six months.

There was no recurrence but this event left an indelible black mark on Australia's peaceful track record.

Answer: 2006

The Commonwealth games are held every four years, two years either side of the Olympics and are viewed as the second biggest sporting event in Australia's sporting calendar. This was the fourth time the games were held in Australia since Sydney (1938), Perth (1962)[then known as the Empire Games], and Brisbane in 1982.
This was the first time the Queen's Baton visited every Commonwealth nation and territory. This trip was a journey of 180,000 km. It seemed fitting that the Governor of Australia who handed the Queen the baton at the games was Peter Landy, a noted Olympic and Commonwealth (Empire) Games athlete.
Australia won the most medals with 222 including 84 gold, followed by England with 110 and 36 respectively.

Answer: 2003

Australia is probably unique in the world as it has four top tier sports that involve football codes (Aussie rules, soccer, rugby league and rugby union). Rugby union is arguably the least popular though there is always national interest when Australia plays and they have always been highly ranked internationally.

In 2003, Australia hosted the event. Twenty teams played 48 matches in 11 venues with Australia losing to England in extra time in the final when the English fly half Jonny Wilkinson kicked four penalties and an extra time drop-goal in extra time to make the score 20-17.