1947 in Australia
The following lists events that happened during 1947 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – George VI Governor-General – Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (until 11 March), then William McKell Prime Minister – Ben Chifley Chief Justice – Sir John Latham State Premiers Premier of New South Wales – William McKell (until 6 February), then James McGirr Premier of Queensland – Ned Hanlon Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV Premier of Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove (until 18 December), then Edward Brooker Premier of Victoria – John Cain (until 20 November), then Thomas Hollway Premier of Western Australia – Frank Wise (until 1 April), then Ross McLarty State Governors Governor of New South Wales – Sir John Northcott Governor of Queensland – Sir John Lavarack Governor of South Australia – Sir Charles Norrie Governor of Tasmania – Sir Hugh Binney Governor of Victoria – Sir Winston Dugan Governor of Western Australia – none appointed Events 1 January – A massive hailstorm strikes Sydney, causing hundreds of injuries and an estimated £1 million damage. 6 February – William McKell stands down as Premier of New South Wales following royal approval of his appointment as Governor-General. The Labor Party elects James McGirr as its leader and the new Premier. 15 March – A state election is held in Western Australia. The Labor government of Frank Wise is defeated by the Liberal/Country coalition led by Ross McLarty. 3 May – A state election is held in Queensland. Ned Hanlon's Labor government is returned for its sixth term in government. 1 April – The Woomera rocket range is established in South Australia as a testing site for British and Australian missiles. 5 May – A train derails in the Camp Mountain rail accident in Queensland, killing 16 people. 15–17 June – Major flooding in Tasmania. 30 June – The Australian government assumes control of Qantas. 1 July – Real estate company L. J. Hooker is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. 5 August – Australia becomes a member of the International Monetary Fund. 30 August – The Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration grants workers a 40-hour week. 8 November – A state election is held in Victoria, after the upper house blocks supply. The Labor minority government of John Cain is defeated by a Liberal–Country coalition led by Thomas Hollway. 18 November – Australia reduces its trade tariffs after ratifying the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Geneva. 18 December – Robert Cosgrove resigns as Premier of Tasmania after being indicted on charges of bribery and corruption. Edward Brooker is sworn in as his replacement the next day. 26 December – Heard Island and McDonald Islands in Antarctica are transferred from British control to Australian territories. Arts and literature 17 January – William Dargie wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Marcus Clarke. Sport 30 August – Fred Fanning, in his last league match, kicks a VFL/AFL record of eighteen goals against St. Kilda 20 September – Balmain win the 1947