The Darwin Rebellion was a period of massive unrest in Darwin, Australia in 1918.
Background
The Northern Territory had lost all voting rights in the Australian government in 1911, the price of beer had jumped 30% in the 1910s, the region became economically depressed as people lost jobs due to industries shutting down and the insulting and condescending nature of the premier, Dr Gilruth.[1]
Events
On the afternoon of the 17th of December 1918, workers' across the city went on strike and 1,000 of them (Darwin had 1,339 people) walked to government house, demanding "no taxation without representation" (echoing the American Revolution) behind a car carrying an effigy of Gilruth tied to a stake and calling for his resignation and greater democratic rights in the Northern Territory.
Dr Gilruth said that he would not and did not recognise the citizens of Darwin as having any authority over him. The crowd outside became tense and impatient. Part of the picket fence around Government House collapsed and union leader Harold Nelson reportedly called out "over the fence boys". The crowd advanced across the garden into Government House. For a few moments, Gilruth was assaulted as he attempted to flee into the residence. Windows were broken and the wire netting removed from the tennis court.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed, but not before they carried Gilruth's effigy to the front gate of Government House, soaked it in kerosene and set it alight. The Government was alarmed, and within a week of the incident the navy ship HMAS Una arrived to protect Dr Gilruth, and he left for Melbourne, ending the rebellion.[2]
Results
The rebellion led to greater democratic rights for the Northern Territory.