Gough Whitlam sacking ‘completely hijacked’ Remembrance Day

Key Concepts

• 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis: The dismissal of the Gough Whitlam Labor government by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
• Remembrance Day (November 11th): A day commemorating Australians who died in World War I.
• Gough Whitlam: Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975.
• Sir John Kerr: Governor-General of Australia who dismissed Whitlam.
• Malcolm Fraser: Leader of the Opposition and subsequently caretaker Prime Minister after Whitlam's dismissal.
• Money Bills: Legislation required for government funding, which must be approved by both houses of Parliament.
• Senate: The upper house of the Australian Parliament.
• Governor-General: The representative of the monarch in Australia.
• Partisan Political Ambush: The argument that the dismissal was a politically motivated act by conservative forces.
• Constitutional Convention: Unwritten rules and practices that govern the operation of the constitution.
• Scapegoat: An individual who is blamed for the wrongdoings or mistakes of others.

The Hijacking of Remembrance Day and the 1975 Dismissal

The speaker expresses offense that Remembrance Day, November 11th, a day dedicated to honoring Australians who died in World War I, has been overshadowed by the ongoing debate surrounding the sacking of Gough Whitlam's Labor government 50 years prior. The speaker highlights the significance of Remembrance Day, noting the 1,500 memorials across Australia commemorating the 60,000 Australians who died in WWI, representing one in every 80 citizens at the time. This sacrifice is contrasted with contemporary surveys suggesting a lower willingness among young Australians to risk their lives for the country, which the speaker attributes to a perceived societal neglect of unifying values.

The 1975 Dismissal: A Summary of Events

The core argument presented is that the 1975 dismissal was a necessary action against a "dangerously incompetent and lawless Labor government" that refused to adhere to the constitution. The speaker asserts that the dismissal was endorsed by voters, who subsequently gave Labor its "worst hiding in 44 years."

Key Points of the Dismissal:

• Incompetence and Lawlessness: The Whitlam government is characterized as incompetent, dishonest, and arguably corrupt.
• The $6 Billion Loan Scandal: A critical event was the government's secret attempt to raise a $6 billion loan from "shady Pakistani banker" and "shadier Middle Eastern sources" without legal authority. This scandal was the "last straw" for the opposition.
• Opposition's Ultimatum: Opposition leader Malcolm Fraser stated that the coalition would refuse to approve funding bills unless Whitlam called an election.
• Whitlam's Refusal and Ignorance of Warnings: Whitlam refused to call an election and ignored warnings that he could be sacked by the Governor-General for attempting to govern without approved funding.
• Governor-General Sir John Kerr's Action: After a month of deadlock, Governor-General Sir John Kerr, who was appointed by Whitlam himself and described as a "Labor man," dismissed Whitlam and appointed Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister.
• Promise of Immediate Funding and Elections: Fraser promised to pass the money bills immediately and call for elections.

Countering the "Constitutional Crisis" Narrative

The speaker vehemently rejects the notion that November 11th, 1975, was a constitutional crisis, labeling it instead a "partisan political ambush" and a "calculated plot hatched by conservative forces."

Arguments Against the "Crisis" Narrative:

• Public Endorsement: The public "smashed Labor at the election," endorsing the dismissal and voting for stability in subsequent elections.
• Whitlam's Own Tactics: The speaker points out the hypocrisy of Labor's current stance, as Whitlam himself had previously attempted to block money bills as opposition leader, stating that the government would have to quit if he succeeded. This, the speaker argues, was precisely Kerr's point.

The Governor-General's Role and the Question of Warning

The current Governor-General, Sam Mustin, is criticized for her statement that she would never have sacked a Prime Minister without warning.

Analysis of the Warning Issue:

• Whitlam's Unsuitability for Warning: The speaker argues that Whitlam was a "loose cannon" who could not be warned.
• Whitlam's Threat to Kerr: The transcript reveals that Whitlam had previously told Kerr that he might seek his recall by the Queen if Kerr attempted to dismiss him. Whitlam later claimed he was joking, but Kerr had reason to believe he was serious.
• Whitlam's Immediate Reaction: Upon dismissal, Whitlam stated, "I must get in touch with the palace at once to get Kerr sacked."
• "Cowboy" Government: The Whitlam government is described as a group of "cowboys" capable of extreme actions, with former minister Paul Kading even suggesting Whitlam should have had Kerr arrested.

The Cruelty Towards Sir John Kerr

A significant portion of the transcript is dedicated to the speaker's outrage at the "cruelty of the left and of the media" towards Sir John Kerr.

The Vilification of Kerr:

• Personal Campaign of Destruction: Kerr was subjected to a "very personal campaign of destruction" initiated by Whitlam himself.
• Scapegoat for the Crisis: Kerr felt that "other people's sins were heaped upon my head" and that he was made a "scapegoat, the sacrificial animal."
• Impact on Kerr: The pressure and abuse drove Kerr to drink and led to a public incident at the Melbourne Cup where his distress was evident.
• Forced Resignation and Seclusion: Kerr was forced to resign early as Governor-General and lived in seclusion in England for years. His funeral was kept private due to fear of further cruelty.

Conclusion: Remembering Sacrifice Over Fury

The speaker concludes by urging that November 11th be remembered for the "sacrifice of so many young Australians in war," rather than for the "fury of labor." The speaker believes this sacrifice is "so much more worthy."