50 years on: The Whitlam dismissal | Insiders On Background

Key Concepts

• 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis: The dismissal of the Whitlam government by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
• Governor-General: The representative of the monarch in Australia, possessing reserve powers.
• Dismissal: The act of removing a Prime Minister from office by the Governor-General.
• Blocking Supply: The Senate refusing to pass government budget bills, leading to a potential government shutdown.
• Double Dissolution Election: An election where both houses of Parliament are dissolved and all seats are up for election.
• Reserve Powers: Extraordinary powers held by the Governor-General, to be used only in exceptional circumstances.
• Loans Affair: A scandal involving the government seeking foreign loans through unauthorized channels.
• Jim K's Junie Marosi Affair: Another scandal that plagued the Whitlam government.
• "Maintain Your Rage": Gough Whitlam's famous call to his supporters after his dismissal.
• "Dismissal by Ambush": Whitlam's description of Kerr's actions, highlighting the lack of warning.
• Vice-Regal Correspondence: Communications between the Governor-General and the Palace.
• Constitutional Guardian vs. Umpire: The perceived role of the Governor-General.

The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government: A Deep Dive into Australia's Most Dramatic Political Moment

This summary delves into the events surrounding the dismissal of the Gough Whitlam government on November 11, 1975, marking the 50th anniversary of this pivotal moment in Australian political history. The discussion features journalist Nikki Sav, who was present in the press gallery at the time, and author Troy Bramston, whose new book "Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New" offers fresh insights.

The Political Climate Leading Up to the Dismissal

1. A Nation in Upheaval and Labour's Ambitions: The Whitlam government came to power after decades of conservative rule, aiming to fundamentally reshape Australia. Journalist Nikki Sav describes the period as one of "great excitement, great change, progress," with the country "reawakening." However, this ambition was met with significant political and policy difficulties, creating a "crash or crash through" atmosphere.

2. Opposition to the Whitlam Government: The coalition, particularly the Liberal Party under Malcolm Fraser, never fully accepted the legitimacy of the Whitlam government. This led to a constant threat of instability and chaos, with suggestions of a "double dissolution election" due to the opposition's intention to "block supply."

3. Key Figures and Their Roles:

• Gough Whitlam: Described as a "towering figure," "majestic," "extremely intelligent," and "well-read." While seen by some as "aloof" and "arrogant," he was a "labor man to the core," driven by values of improving the lives of working-class people through policies like free universities, supporting mothers' pensions, and universal healthcare.
• Malcolm Fraser: As Liberal leader, he was perceived as an "aloof kind of figure," "shy," and possessing a "reserve." He was a "traditionalist" and a "cool and contained character," determined to "keep the pressure on from day one." He was encouraged by the National Party and Reg Withers, known as "the toe cutter," who held significant influence.
• Sir John Kerr (Governor-General): A "very different kind of person" from his predecessor Paul Hasluck. Kerr was seen as "vain," "very conscious of his status and his position," and his wife, Nancy, was even more so. Whitlam expected Kerr to "do the right thing," which Kerr "resented," fearing Whitlam might "sack him." This fear, according to Sav, contributed to Kerr not being "fully upfront" with Whitlam about his intentions.

The Day of the Dismissal: November 11, 1975

1. The Unforeseen Event: November 11th, Remembrance Day, was not anticipated as a day for dramatic political events. The immediate crisis revolved around the "deadlock over supply" in the Senate, which had been ongoing for "a couple of weeks," leading to concerns about public servants and defense force personnel not being paid.

2. The Loans Affair and Scandals: The blocking of supply was exacerbated by scandals such as the "loans affair" and the "Jim K's Junie Marosi affair," which "permeated and enveloped the government," overshadowing its policy achievements.

3. The Dismissal Unfolds:

• Nikki Sav's Account: Sav recounts arriving at work and, while trying to find a car park, being told by a library staff member that "Goff's been sacked by the governor general." She describes the ensuing "absolute chaos" in Parliament House, with staff and MPs in disarray.
• Lack of Immediate Communication: Due to the absence of mobile phones and 24-hour news cycles, news of the dismissal spread slowly. Whitlam himself went to the Lodge for lunch and did not immediately inform his Senate colleagues or his office staff.
• Senate Developments: Labour senators sat in the Senate unaware of the dismissal. Doug McClelland, manager of government business in the Senate, moved for the supply bills to be presented, assuming Kerr had granted Whitlam's request for a half-Senate election. The supply bills were eventually passed, but for a different reason.
• Parliamentary Drama: Whitlam, upon arriving at Parliament, planned to have the House of Representatives pass a motion of confidence in him. This motion was passed. Subsequently, Speaker Gordon Scholes was dispatched to Government House to inform Kerr of the House's vote, but was reportedly "refused entry at the gates."

4. Kerr's Actions and Deception: Sav highlights two key actions by Kerr: the dismissal itself and the refusal to let the Speaker in. She emphasizes that Kerr "deceived" Whitlam by not forewarning him of the possibility of dismissal, despite having secretly sought advice on his reserve powers. Paul Keating, who was with Whitlam days before the dismissal, recalls Kerr appearing to be on good terms, suggesting Kerr was "deliberately deceiving Whitlam and lulling him into a false sense of security."

5. Malcolm Fraser's Involvement: Fraser arrived at Government House before Whitlam, being taken to a separate room. This meeting was not publicly announced, unlike Fraser's usual appointments. Bramston's research reveals that Fraser had written a draft obituary for Whitlam, acknowledging that Kerr "should have discussed the crisis more freely with Whitlam" and given him "a formal warning." This suggests that even Fraser, who benefited most from the dismissal, believed Kerr mishandled the situation.

Unanswered Questions and Historical Perspectives

1. The Palace and the Queen: Bramston clarifies that while the Palace was kept informed, there's no evidence they "encouraged the dismissal or knew about it in advance or gave it any kind of a green light." Martin Charteris, the Queen's private secretary, had written to Kerr stating it was a "political crisis, not a constitutional crisis" and that reserve powers should be a "last resort."

2. The CIA Conspiracy Theory: Bramston dismisses the CIA involvement theory, stating there is "no evidence for that." He notes that US archives and interviews with figures like Henry Kissinger and Jimmy Carter indicate a low point in US-Australia relations but no US interference in the dismissal. He concludes it was a "homegrown tragedy."

3. The Legacy of the Key Players:

• Gough Whitlam: Bramston notes Whitlam wanted to be remembered as an "achiever," not a "martyr." He is not without blame, having ignored warnings about dismissal risks and lacking contingency planning. He misjudged Kerr and did not have a viable solution to getting his budget through the Senate.
• Malcolm Fraser: Described as "ruthless," "cold-blooded," and "determined" in 1975, Fraser later became "cautious and timid" as Prime Minister, worried about the "forces he had unleashed." He never regretted pushing the system to the brink.
• Sir John Kerr: Became a "sad, lonely figure," "second-guessing his actions" and spending years in exile. He felt it was his "duty and his destiny" but was shocked by the public reaction and briefly considered resigning.

4. Lessons Learned and Future Implications: Bramston argues that the dismissal was a "breakdown in our parliamentary democracy." However, institutions are now "pretty determined to make sure that this doesn't happen again." Subsequent Governors-General have indicated they would not act secretly or deceptively. There's a recognition that courts and the monarchy would not be involved, and neither major party has sought to block a budget again. The event reshaped the intersection between the government and the Governor-General, with a focus on the latter acting as a "constitutional guardian" rather than an "umpire."

Conclusion

The 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government remains a deeply significant and debated event. While much has been uncovered over the past 50 years, the personal motivations and precise sequence of events continue to be analyzed. The consensus is that it was a "homegrown tragedy" driven by the actions and misjudgments of key individuals, leading to a profound impact on Australian politics and a lasting legacy of caution regarding the use of reserve powers and the relationship between the government and the Governor-General.