The following lists events that happened during 2007 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Michael Jeffery Prime Minister – John Howard (until 3 December), then Kevin Rudd Deputy Prime Minister – Mark Vaile (until 3 December), then Julia Gillard Opposition Leader – Kevin Rudd (until 3 December), then Brendan Nelson Chief Justice – Murray Gleeson State and Territory Leaders Premier of New South Wales – Morris Iemma Opposition Leader – Peter Debnam (until 2 April), then Barry O'Farrell Premier of Queensland – Peter Beattie (until 13 September), then Anna Bligh Opposition Leader – Jeff Seeney Premier of South Australia – Mike Rann Opposition Leader – Iain Evans (until 12 April), then Martin Hamilton-Smith Premier of Tasmania – Paul Lennon Opposition Leader – Will Hodgman Premier of Victoria – Steve Bracks (until 30 July), then John Brumby Opposition Leader – Ted Baillieu Premier of Western Australia – Alan Carpenter Opposition Leader – Paul Omodei Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory – Jon Stanhope Opposition Leader – Bill Stefaniak (until 13 December), then Zed Seselja Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Clare Martin (until 26 November), then Paul Henderson Opposition Leader – Jodeen Carney Chief Minister of Norfolk Island – David Buffett (until 28 March), then Andre Nobbs Governors and Administrators Governor of New South Wales – Marie Bashir Governor of Queensland – Quentin Bryce Governor of South Australia – Marjorie Jackson-Nelson (until 8 August), then Kevin Scarce Governor of Tasmania – William Cox Governor of Victoria – David de Kretser Governor of Western Australia – Ken Michael Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories – Neil Lucas Administrator of Norfolk Island – Grant Tambling (until 7 August), then Owen Walsh Administrator of the Northern Territory – Ted Egan (until 31 October), then Tom Pauling Events Whole year Year of the Surf Lifesaver January 1 January – An estimated five hundred rioters turn on police in Rye, Victoria. 4 January – Storms lash the town of Esperance, Western Australia. A natural disaster area is declared. 13 January – Youth attending an illegal drag race in the Melbourne suburb of Noble Park turn on police throwing flares and trashing a video store. 15 January – The first day of competition at the Australian Open is marred by clashes between Serbian and Croatian supporters and the Victorian police. 16 January – Large parts of Victoria are hit with power