Why Whitlam's dismissal was one of the most sensational moments in political history | 7.30

Key Concepts

• 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis: The central event, involving the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
• Governor-General: The Queen's representative in Australia, holding significant constitutional powers.
• "Constitutional coup d'état": A term used to describe the events of 1975, implying an unconstitutional seizure of power.
• "Partisan political ambush": An alternative framing of the 1975 events, emphasizing political motivation over constitutional necessity.
• Mandate: The authority granted to a government by the electorate.
• Remembrance Day 1975: The specific date of the dismissal.
• Gough Whitlam: The dismissed Labour Prime Minister.
• Sir John Kerr: The Governor-General who dismissed Whitlam.
• Malcolm Fraser: The Liberal leader who became Prime Minister after the dismissal.
• Baby Boomers: A demographic group for whom the 1975 events are a defining political memory.
• Old Parliament House: The location where significant events unfolded.
• Richard Carlton: ABC reporter who witnessed events closely.
• Troy Bramston: Author of a biography on Gough Whitlam.
• James Spiegelman: Former adviser to Gough Whitlam.
• Kenneth Meers: Whitlam's preferred candidate for Governor-General.
• Sir Paul Hasluck: Predecessor to Sir John Kerr as Governor-General.
• Norman Gilroy: Archbishop of Sydney, whose stance influenced the Governor-General appointment.
• Archbishop Mannix: Archbishop of Melbourne, whose political involvement is contrasted with Gilroy's.
• Democratic Labor Party (DLP): A political party that split from the Labor Party.
• Half Senate Election: A type of election that Whitlam sought but was denied.
• Sir Garfield Barwick: Chief Justice of the High Court, whose advice Kerr may have sought.
• Sam Mostyn: Current representative of the King.

The 1975 Constitutional Crisis: A Defining Moment

The transcript details the extraordinary tension and chaos surrounding the dismissal of Labour Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on Remembrance Day, 1975. This event is described as the nation's "most dramatic constitutional sliding door moment," creating a division in the political system not experienced since. The dramatic nature of the dismissal continues to resonate, particularly for baby boomers who consider it a defining political memory.

Key Events and Reactions

• The Dismissal: The crisis culminated with Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissing the elected Labour government.
• Gough Whitlam's Zinger: Upon his dismissal, Whitlam delivered a memorable line: "Well, may we say God saved the Queen [Applause] because nothing will save the Governor General." This statement is highlighted as a "political zinger of the century" and is attributed to moving the situation to "another level," escalating it into "kind of warfare."
• Public Sentiment: There was a strong belief that Whitlam was put in office by the Australian people and that they would not accept such an action. The sentiment was that he "should have left him in full term."
• Labour's Response: Key Labour staffers and supporters immediately shifted into "election mode," viewing the situation as a "constitutional coup d'état" and focusing on the upcoming election rather than dwelling on the dismissal.
• Coalition's Confidence: The coalition, led by Malcolm Fraser, felt confident that the Whitlam government was "so much on the nose" that they would win the subsequent election campaign.

The Aftermath and Legacy

• End of the Labour Experiment: Whitlam's subsequent election defeat by Malcolm Fraser marked the end of the "grand 1970s Labor experiment" after only three years of rapid change.
• Enduring Rage: Labour's "rage endures to this day," with many viewing November 11th, 1975, not as a constitutional crisis but as a "partisan political ambush" lacking precedent or legitimate pretext. The core issue, from this perspective, was an "overt refusal to respect the mandate or even acknowledge the legitimacy of a Labor government."

Lessons and Reflections

Anthony Albanese's Perspective

• Continuing Legacy: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sees himself as continuing Gough Whitlam's legacy.
• Lessons Learned: Speaking at the launch of Troy Bramston's biography of Whitlam, Albanese acknowledged lessons for himself from his hero's story, including the importance of not ignoring warning signs and engaging with and respecting colleagues. He questioned whether Whitlam shared the same attitude as the current Prime Minister, noting Whitlam's implementation of a "great breadth and depth" agenda.

The Governor-General Appointment: A Controversial Choice

• Whitlam's First Choice: James Spiegelman, a former trusted adviser to Whitlam, revealed that John Kerr was not Whitlam's first choice for Governor-General. Whitlam intended to appoint Kenneth Meers.
• Reasons for Rejection: The primary obstacle to Meers' appointment was his impending divorce, which was considered a significant issue that could affect the Queen's perception of her representative.
• Alternative Suggestions: Spiegelman suggested Norman Gilroy, the Archbishop of Sydney. He also noted that Archbishop Mannix of Melbourne interfered in politics by supporting the Democratic Labor Party, which split from Labour. Gilroy's refusal to do so in New South Wales was seen as beneficial to the New South Wales Labour government, contributing to its re-election.
• Spiegelman's Rationale: Spiegelman argued that appointing a priest as Governor-General might be embarrassing for the Queen, as Australia does not have an established church.
• Impact of Kerr's Legal Background: A key difference highlighted is that Kerr was a lawyer, which influenced his approach. It is suggested that a non-lawyer Governor-General would have relied more heavily on advice from the Prime Minister's Department and the Attorney-General's Department, potentially leading to different outcomes. Kerr also had his own advisors, including Sir Garfield Barwick.

Regrets and What Could Have Been

• Spiegelman's Regret: Spiegelman expressed regret over the appointment of Sir John Kerr.
• Alternative Solutions: Historians and biographers continue to debate the events. Whitlam himself believed that a better approach would have been to allow him to hold a "half Senate election."
• Kerr's Fear of Dismissal: Sir John Kerr reportedly believed that if he had spoken about his true intentions, he would have been dismissed himself.

The Governor-General's Role and Future

• Surprising a Prime Minister: The current representative of the King, Sam Mostyn, has emphasized that a Governor-General should never surprise a Prime Minister.
• Constitutional Tension: The events of 1975 highlight an ongoing tension in the Australian Constitution regarding the Governor-General's power when a government is deemed irresponsible.
• Unlikely Recurrence: It is widely believed that "no governor general will ever dare do that again," and unless a government commits an "extraordinarily bad" act, this power is unlikely to be used in the future.

Conclusion

The 1975 dismissal of Gough Whitlam remains a deeply divisive and significant event in Australian political history. The transcript underscores the dramatic nature of the crisis, the differing interpretations of its legitimacy, and the enduring impact on the political landscape. The discussion around the Governor-General's appointment and the potential for alternative outcomes highlights the complex interplay of personal decisions, constitutional powers, and political maneuvering that characterized this pivotal moment. The lessons learned, particularly regarding communication and respecting mandates, continue to be relevant for contemporary political leadership.