Timeline – national and state continued

1846-1904 | 1905-1926 | 1927-1941 | 1942-1957 | 1958-1973 | 1974-1988 | 1989-2000

1943 About 180,000 US servicemen are based in Australia.

Furore when General Douglas MacArthur mentions the Brisbane Line, which would leave northern Australia undefended if Japanese invaded.

Hospital ship Centaur torpedoed by Japanese submarine off Queensland, killing 268 people.

1944 Fred Paterson, right, wins state seat of Bowen to become only communist MP elected in Australia.

Free hospital service for Queensland.

Unemployment and Sickness Benefits are introduced.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is introduced to provide subsidised medicine.

1945 Australia becomes a founding member of the United Nations.

1946 The Commonwealth Parliament is given the power to legislate on a wide range of social services after a referendum on the issue is carried.

An Australian is voted in as the first president of the United Nations Security Council.

The ABC broadcasts Federal Parliament for the first time.

Minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell launches the post-war immigration scheme.

1948 The first Australian-designed and manufactured car is launched by General Motors Holden.

Australian minister for external affairs, Dr H.V. Evatt, is elected president of the United Nations General Assembly.

Australia signs the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

1949 The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme begins. A shortage of labour forced Australia to look overseas for workers. More than 100,000 people worked on the scheme, two thirds of them had come from overseas to join the Australians already working on the scheme. However, 120 people died during construction, which lasted almost 25 years.

Labor government introduces Queensland gerrymander.

Indigenous Australians who are eligible to vote in state elections in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are also given the right to vote in federal elections.

The Nationality and Citizenship Act is passed. Rather than being identified as subjects of Britain, the Act established Australian citizenship.

1950-1953 Korean War. Australia was one of 21 member nations to respond to the United Nations Security Council's call for military assistance to repel an invasion of South Korea by communist-backed North Korean troops. More than 17,000 Australian men and women served in the Korean war. Australian casualties were 1584, of whom 339 were killed and 29 taken prsioner.

1950 Frank Hardy, left, is arrested for libel following the publication of Power Without Glory.

Australia plays a leading role in establishing the Colombo Plan for providing aid and training to South-East Asian countries.

1950-1963 Malayan Emergency. Australian troops were sent to Malaya as part of a Commonwealth of Nations response to a growing communist guerrilla insurgency. Australian forces were involved in prolonged operations designed to destroy the guerrillas' support and operations bases throughout the Malay peninsula. Lasting 13 years, the Malayan Emergency was the longest continuous military commitment in Australia's history. Of 7000 army personnel who served in Malaya, 51 were killed, although only 15 deaths were a result of operations.

1951 Australia signs the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand.

The radio-based School of the Air opens.

1953 The Television Act is passed by Federal Parliament, endorsing the establishment of government and commercial broadcast networks.

The Petrov Affair makes headlines.

1956 The first television broadcast goes to air.

The Olympic Games are held in Melbourne, with Australians winning a record 13 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals.

1957 CSIRO develops improved radar and microwave navigation systems for aeroplanes.

Danish architect Joern Utzon wins the Opera House international design competition.

Timeline continued

1846-1904 | 1905-1926 | 1927-1941 | 1942-1957 | 1958-1973 | 1974-1988 | 1989-2000

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