1993: John Hewson losing the “un-losable” election? No chance.
Sydney hosting the olympics? You’ve got to be kidding!
Shane Warne bowling the Ball of the Century? Hmmm, sounds about right….
1993 witnessed:
– Redcliffe’s new refuse facility at Duffield Rd opens after the “old dump” at the back of Talobilla Park closes down
– The Settlement Cove complex opens on the Redcliffe foreshore, with its artificial lagoon and playground transforming the area into a vibrant and family friendly parkland
– Coles-Myer announces a $4 billion expansion plan that creates nearly 100,000 new jobs throughout the nation
– The HMAS Collins (SSG 73) becomes the first of the Australian designed and built Collins Class Submarines to be launched
– Juan Antonio Samaranch announces that the International Olymipic Committee has selected Sydney to be the host of the 2000 Olympic Games
– Federal Opposition Leader Dr. John Hewson, seemingly on the brink of a famous election victory, gives an overly complicated and convoluted answer to a simple question from A Current Affair’s host Mike Willesee about how the GST, part of his Fightback! Policy, will affect the price of a birthday cake. This comes to be known as the “birthday cake interview” and, after Hewson goes on to lose the “unloseable” election, many commentators point to it as being a crucial factor in the shock result
– Re-elected Prime Minister Paul Keating immediately indulges in an act of hubris by announcing in his victory speech that the result was “a victory for the true believers.” It was a sound byte that would haunt Keating right up until the next election
– The European Union is formally established after the Maastricht Treaty takes effect
– 72 members of the Branch Davidian religious cult lose their lives after a raid on their compound at Waco, Texas. Their leader, David Koresh, had been issued with an arrest warrant for firearms charges
– Shane Warne bowls the “ball of the century” in his first appearance in Ashes cricket
– The Piano, Schindler’s List, The Age of Innocence, Philadelphia, Jurassic Park and Mrs Doubtfire are released
Deaths: Audrey Hepburn (20 January), Arthur Ashe (6 February), Fred Hollows (10 February), Federico Fellini (31 October), Anthony Burgess (22 November)