The following lists events that happened during 2003 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Peter Hollingworth (until 28 May), then Michael Jeffery (from 11 August) Administrator of the Commonwealth – Sir Guy Green (from 28 May to 11 August) Prime Minister – John Howard Deputy Prime Minister – John Anderson Opposition Leader – Simon Crean (until 2 December), then Mark Latham Chief Justice – Murray Gleeson State and Territory Leaders Premier of New South Wales – Bob Carr Opposition Leader – John Brogden Premier of Queensland – Peter Beattie Opposition Leader – Mike Horan (until 4 February), then Lawrence Springborg Premier of South Australia – Mike Rann Opposition Leader – Rob Kerin Premier of Tasmania – Jim Bacon Opposition Leader – Rene Hidding Premier of Victoria – Steve Bracks Opposition Leader – Robert Doyle Premier of Western Australia – Geoff Gallop Opposition Leader – Colin Barnett Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory – Jon Stanhope Opposition Leader – Brendan Smyth Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Clare Martin Opposition Leader – Denis Burke (until 14 November), then Terry Mills Chief Minister of Norfolk Island – Geoffrey Gardner Governors and Administrators Governor of New South Wales – Marie Bashir Governor of Queensland – Peter Arnison (until 29 July), then Quentin Bryce Governor of South Australia – Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Governor of Tasmania – Sir Guy Green (until 3 October), then Richard Butler Governor of Victoria – John Landy Governor of Western Australia – John Sanderson Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories – Bill Taylor (until 30 July), then Evan Williams (from 1 November) Administrator of Norfolk Island – Tony Messner (until 30 July), then Michael Stephens (until 1 November), then Grant Tambling Administrator of the Northern Territory – John Anictomatis (until 30 October), then Ted Egan Events January 9 January - Convicted child sex offender Dennis Ferguson is released from jail amid public outcry in Queensland after serving a 14-year sentence. 17 January - Batsman Darren Lehmann made a racist outburst during Australia's four-wicket victory at the Gabba. Lehmann shouted "black c-" while entering the dressing room after being run out. 18 January – Four people die in the Canberra bushfires of 2003. 31 January – Seven people die in the Waterfall train disaster, which happened due to the driver having a heart attack at the controls of the train & losing control of the train.