On November 11, 1975, Sir John Kerr, the Governor-General of Australia, fired Gough Whitlam as Prime Minister of Australia. This became a major turning point in Australian political history. This extraordinary act was a historic first in Australian history. It played out during an unprecedented constitutional crisis marked by the opposition party’s refusal to provide budget approval in the Senate. The confrontation deepened when Whitlam would not agree to call an election. This refusal led to the most dramatic intervention by a Governor-General in Australian history, stunning the nation and changing Australian politics irrevocably.
The dismissal also aroused anger among Whitlam’s supporters and within the Australian Labor Party. Many criticized Kerr’s actions, saying they were an overreach of power. They challenged the legality of his move to prorogue Parliament, effectively kicking out a sitting Prime Minister with no notice whatsoever. After the dismissal, Malcolm Fraser assumed the leadership of the opposition and assumed leadership as Prime Minister. His new appointment would help reshape the national political consciousness of Australia a great deal.
The Constitutional Crisis
The political atmosphere in the run-up to November 1975 was highly incendiary. The Australian Senate, now dominated by opposition members, refused to pass the government’s budget plan, thus creating a deadlock. Whitlam’s subsequent inability, or unwillingness, to call an election deepened the crisis.
As the crisis worsened, Kerr couldn’t help but get involved. He ended up doing just that—dismissing Whitlam, something most people consider a gross breach of democratic norms. The deep dysfunction between Kerr and Whitlam further exacerbated the disorder.
Malcolm Fraser later reflected on this pivotal moment, stating, “The Governor-General should have consulted the Prime Minister more freely… there was a higher duty to consult the Prime Minister of the day and to warn of the consequences that could follow.”
National Outrage and Marches
The immediate aftermath of Whitlam’s dismissal was one of shock and rage. Whitlam’s supporters mobilized, arranging mass demonstrations across the country — including the largest ever anti-war protest in Brisbane. These rallies became a powerful outlet for people’s dissent and anger against what many saw as an unprecedented assault on democracy itself.
Gough Whitlam himself addressed his supporters with fervor, urging them to “maintain your rage and enthusiasm through the campaign.” His call to action hit home with everybody that felt stabbed in the back by Kerr’s decision.
The outrage spread well beyond Whitlam’s natural supporters. Approximately 90 minutes into Kenneth’s speech, many Australian citizens started protesting the Governor-General’s role in Australian politics. Critics from both sides claimed that Kerr’s actions were a toxic new precedent that subverted the democratic process.
Lasting Impact on Australian Politics
Whitlam’s dismissal is still one of the most consequential events in Australia’s political history. The leadership transition created an opportunity for some critical conversations. These discussions largely concentrated on the role and the powers of the Governor-General under Australia’s constitutional arrangements.
The issue of the dismissal raised significant debate, but was not enough to drive Australia into becoming a republic. Instead, it reinforced the status quo power arrangements of the federal government. This event ignited a public debate that is still informing discussions about the future of governance in Australia.
In hindsight, most pundits agreed that Gough Whitlam changed the fabric of Australian society for the better during his short time in office. Neville Wran famously remarked, “It was said of Caesar Augustus that he found Rome brick and left it marble. It will be said of Gough Whitlam that he found the outer suburbs of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane unsewered, and left them fully flushed.”
The coup’s fallout was personally disastrous for Sir John Kerr, too. Public unrest with his management style and frankly his personal way of behaving went into his dip in popularity. He famously found himself until recently crucified for drunken public appearances, including a 1977 performance at the Melbourne Cup.
Reflecting on History
Journalist Margo Kingston watched these events play out as a teenager. She now remembers this instance as incredibly impactful in developing her understanding of the Australian political landscape. The removal of Gough Whitlam is not an aberration. Instead, it represents a watershed moment that exposes the precarities and fragilities of democratic governance itself.
David Solomon, Whitlam’s press secretary, reiterated the sentiment shared by many supporters when he asserted that Kerr’s actions were unjustified. This perspective continues to resonate today as Australians reflect on their political history and consider its implications for current governance.
