The following lists events that happened during 1950 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – George VI Governor-General – William McKell Prime Minister – Robert Menzies Chief Justice – Sir John Latham State Premiers Premier of New South Wales – James McGirr Premier of Queensland – Ned Hanlon Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV Premier of Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove Premier of Victoria – Thomas Hollway (until 27 June), then John McDonald Premier of Western Australia – 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 Dallas Brooks Governor of Western Australia – Sir James Mitchell Events 25 January – The Tank Landing Ship HMAS Tarakan explodes at Garden Island in Sydney, killing 8 people. 8 February – Petrol rationing ends, nearly ten years after it was introduced during World War II. 6 May – A state election is held in Tasmania. The result is a hung parliament, but Robert Cosgrove's Labor Party remains in power with independent support. 13 May – A state election is held in Victoria. 23 June – The Parliament of Australia passes the Communist Party Dissolution Bill, effectively banning the operation of the Communist Party of Australia. 26 June – Douglas DC-4 Amana crashes near Perth, Western Australia, killing 28. One passenger survived the crash. 26 July – The government announces that Australia will send troops to fight in the Korean War. The first Australian forces land in Korea on 17 September. 28 October – The Smith's Weekly newspaper, founded in 1919, is published for the last time. New South Wales and Queensland receive extraordinary annual rainfall. Arts and literature 11 December – A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute is published. Unknown dates William Dargie wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Sir Leslie McConnan The novel Power Without Glory by Frank Hardy is published. The Ballet Corroboree, by John Antill, is first performed Sport General Australia wins 34 gold medals at the 4th British Empire Games, held in Auckland, New Zealand Cricket New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield Cycling Sid Patterson wins the world amateur pursuit cycling title in Belgium Football Brisbane Rugby League premiership: Easts defeated Wests 14-10 New South Wales Rugby League premiership: South Sydney defeated Western Suburbs