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Queensland's history—2000s

2022

  • Further flooding occurred in South East Queensland in early May 2022 after days of widespread heavy rainfall.
  • From late February to early April 2022, Australia's east coast endured three intense weather systems, leading to one of the nation's word recorded flood disasters across South East Queensland and parts of coastal New South Wales.
  • Border restrictions for domestic travelers were lifted 15 January 2022 and 22 January 2022 for international travelers, provided certain criteria (e.g. fully vaccinated) were met.

2021

  • On 1 November 2021 Dr Jeannette Young  AC PSM was sworn in as the 27 Governor of Queensland, stepping down from her role as the state's Chief Health Officer, a role she held for 16 years.
  • Brisbane is announced as the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games 21 July 2021.
  • Queenslander and World No. 1 women's tennis player Ash Barty won her first Wimbledon ladies singles title on 10 July 2021.
  • The first State of Origin match to be held outside a capital city was played at North Queensland Stadium in Townsville on 9 June 2021 following a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.
  • On 22 February 2021, the first Queenslander to receive a COVID-19 vaccination was a nurse who worked in the COVID-19 ward at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

2020

  • Due to ongoing disruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic, Queensland hosted the AFL grand final at the Gabba in Brisbane on 24 October 2020. It was the first time a grand final was held outside Victoria in its 123-year history, and the first to be held at night.
  • For the first time in more than a century, Queensland restricted access at its border from 24 March 2020.
  • On 29 January 2020, Queensland was the first Australian state to declare a public health emergency following the first confirmed case of COVID-19 recorded in Queensland on 28 January 2020.

2019

  • The 2019-20 Australian bushfire season (Black Summer) saw bushfires spread across many parts of Australia. On 9 November 2019, a State of Fire Emergency was declared across 42 local government areas across southern, central, northern, and far-northern Queensland. Various regions across New South Wales and Victoria were the most heavily affected.
  • Severe tropical cyclone Trevor made landfall over the Cape York Penninsula on 19 March 2019 causing considerable damage to trees and buildings.

2018

2017

  • Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie made landfall near Airlie Beach around 12.40am on Tuesday 28 March 2017, causing significant damage and flooding across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

2015

  • Severe Tropic Cyclone Marcia crosses the Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Yeppoon at about 8am on Friday 20 February 2015, before moving inland to Rockhampton.
  • Annastacia Palaszczuk was sworn in as Premier of Queensland on 14 February 2015.
  • Leeanne Enoch was sworn in as Queensland's first Indigenous female MP, as Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Science and Innovation.

2014

  • The G20 Leaders' Summit was held 15–16 November 2014 in Brisbane, where world leaders met to make decisions on key economic and financial policy issues. Prior to the summit, there were two meetings of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, with the first meeting held in Sydney 22–23 February 2014, and the second in Cairns 20–21 September 2014.
  • Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Queensland on Saturday 19 April 2014 (Easter Saturday).

2012

2011

2010

  • Significant flooding occurs in many areas of Queensland during  late December 2010 and early January 2011, with 75% of the state  declared a disaster zone. The Floodlines:  a living memory website celebrates the resilience of  communities responding to these events.

2009

  • Queensland celebrates its 150th anniversary with a statewide  program of special events and celebrations.
  • Queensland wins the State of Origin against NSW four years in a  row—a record winning streak.
  • Anna Bligh wins the 2009 state election (the first woman in  Australia to do so).

2008

2007

  • Anna Bligh is sworn in as Queensland's first female Premier in 2007  after Peter Beattie resigns.
  • Nambour-born Kevin Rudd becomes the first Queenslander to become Australian Prime Minister since Francis Forde, who ruled for a few days in 1945.

2006

  • Cyclone Larry hits North Queensland. A huge recovery effort follows with the support of  governments and individuals from across Australia.

2005

  • Queenslander Ian Frazer and his team announce successful trials of a vaccine for  cervical cancer—the first in the world. From 2007, the vaccine (called Gardasil)  is given free to many Australian school girls and young women.
  • Queensland population hits 4 million.

2005

  • Queenslander Ian Frazer and his team announce successful trials of a vaccine for  cervical cancer—the first in the world. From 2007, the vaccine (called Gardasil)  is given free to many Australian school girls and young women.
  • Queensland population hits 4 million.

2004

  • The ALP with Premier Peter Beattie as leader wins a third term in office in February 2004 with 63 seats, losing three seats to the National-Liberal Opposition, but gaining one from them.

2003

2001

  • Peter Beattie and the ALP is returned to government for a second term in office in February 2001, winning 66 seats out of 80—the biggest majority Labour has ever won in an election.
Last updated:
20 May 2019
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