Year in review: what shaped Australia in 2023

Controversial Catholic Australian cardinal George Pell died in Italy on January 10 after going into cardiac arrest during hip surgery. Hundreds protested his funeral and a decision to bury him at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

In 2018, Cardinal Pell was found guilty of child abuse, but convictions were later quashed by the High Court of Australia on appeal.

The Kimberley and northern regions of Western Australia rang in the New Year with flooding after ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie. Residents in Menindee, NSW were warned to prepare for the worst flooding in 50 years and heavy rainfall put large parts of northern Queensland under water.

NSW elected its 58th Parliament on March 25. Labor leader Chris Minns formed government after a whopping 12 years in opposition. Tasmania is the only state in Australia with a Liberal state government.

Tributes flowed from around the globe after beloved Masterchef Australia judge and popular celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo died suddenly on April 30. The father-of-four had starred on the popular reality show since 2020, and released his best selling memoir in 2021.

King Charles was crowned King of the United Kingdom, Australia and other Commonwealth nations at an elaborate coronation on May 6. Governor-General David Hurley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and musician Nick Cave were among the attendees on the big day.

Decorated Aussie soldier Ben Roberts-Smith lost a landmark defamation trial in an attempt to sue major Australian newspapers and journalists on June 1. Justice Anthony Besanko ruled the journalists had established "substantial" and "contextual" truth over allegations he engaged in bullying and unlawful killings.

All five members of the Titan deep-sea submersible were killed en route to exploring the Titanic's wreck on June 18. Its wreckage was discovered following a multi-nation rescue and recovery operation.

The nation mourned after multiple people were killed after a late night bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley, near Greta. The bus was returning to nearby Singleton after a wedding at a local vineyard.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews shocked the nation when he cancelled the state's plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games on July 18, citing a massive cost blowout. Officials were left scrambling to find a yet-to-be-determined host city, and Victoria was forced to pay a $380 million bill for the cancellation.

The Matilda's captured the nation's hearts after making it to the semi-final of the 2023 FIFA Women's Women's World Cup in August. The semi-final match against England becomes the most-watched television program since 2001, drawing in 7.13 million viewers.

On October 7, militant group Hamas attacked a music festival on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Israel formally declared war for the first time since 1973. Escalating conflict between the two sides has sparked public outcry and protests across the globe.

Australia voted on the 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum on October 14. The proposal was rejected nationally and by a majority in every state with the No vote garnering 60 per cent of the turnout.

Australia beat India by 134 runs at the 2023 World Cup on November 19. More than 1.2 million people attended the games in India across 48 matches.

Australia and other countries join the COP28 climate summit in Dubai through December, where a consensus was reached to "transition away" from fossil fuels. The agreement is the first of its kind in the conference's 30 year history.

Three of Australia's popular Labor premiers announced their retirements in 2023. Mark McGowan announced plans to step down in March and Victoria's Dan Andrews retired in July.

The last standing Australian premier elected pre-Covid pandemic, Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk retired on December 10 after eight years in the top job.