The death penalty in Australia was fully abolished across all jurisdictions by 1985. Queensland led the way as the first state to ban it in 1922, followed by other states over the next six decades.

Timeline by Jurisdiction

Australia's path to abolition unfolded gradually, reflecting shifting public and political views on capital punishment.

Jurisdiction| Abolition Year| Key Details
---|---|---
Queensland| 1922| First in Australia; Criminal Code Amendment Act passed 33-30.18
Tasmania| 1968| Early state mover post-federal shifts.1
Commonwealth (federal, ACT, NT)| 1973| Death Penalty Abolition Act replaced it with life imprisonment; no federal executions ever occurred.135
Victoria| 1975| Narrow vote: Assembly 36-30, Council 20-13.1
South Australia| 1976| Followed national momentum.1
New South Wales| 1985| Last state; retained for some crimes until fully removed.1
Western Australia| 1984| Acts Amendment (Abolition of Capital Punishment) Act.1

This staggered timeline highlights how states acted independently while federal law set a precedent.

Historical Context

Australia's last execution was Ronald Ryan's hanging in Victoria on February 3, 1967, sparking national debate. Lionel Murphy's 1972 bill under the Whitlam government passed decisively (Senate all Labor + half Liberals; House 73-27), ending capital punishment federally. By 2010, federal laws banned its reintroduction anywhere.

Public opinion evolved too—from election-winning "hangings" in the 1960s to strong opposition today (64% against in 2009 polls). No executions since 1967, and Australia's now a vocal global advocate against it.

Modern Relevance

As of 2026, abolition remains firm, with strategies pushing international partners toward reform. Debates occasionally resurface (e.g., politicians on "horrific crimes"), but policy holds.

TL;DR: Fully abolished nationwide by 1985; process started in 1922 (QLD), finalized in NSW.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.