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Whitlam and the Dismissal
( by Victoria Clark & Xiao Ming Yang)

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Was the public outrage towards the Whitlam Dismissal exasperated by the fact that it was the first time the Governor-General had 'fired' a Prime Minister? If this wasn't the case would the outcry have been as extreme based solely on Whitlam and his leadership?

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12 Legacies We Have Whitlam to Thank For!

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12 Legacies We Have Whitlam to Thank For!

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Gough Whitlam was in power for just 1071 days, but his government's reformist zeal after 23 years of conservative rule was unprecedented. In 1973, the first year of his prime ministership, his government passed a record 203 legislative bills.

Labor MP Anthony Albanese described Whitlam as "the father of modern Australia" and many of those reforms, such as the Racial Discrimination Act, continue to be the subject of hotly contested debate under the Abbott government four decades on.

And the people of western Sydney - the battlers so beloved of politicians today - have Whitlam to thank for his advocacy for Westmead Hospital and the University of Western Sydney, two essential institutions in the area today.

Here are 12 ways Whitlam changed the nation.

1. Universal health care

What we now call Medicare began under Whitlam as Medibank. You only need look at President Obama's fight for a health care safety net in the USA to understand how ferocious opposition to Whitlam's plan was 40 years ago. It was labelled a socialist takeover and a threat to Australian freedom and was fiercely resisted by the health care industry, but Medibank began on October 1, 1975. The subsequent Fraser government rolled it back, but Hawke's ALP government reinstated the system as the Medicare of today in 1983.

2. Free tertiary education

While free uni is the one many remember - and it provided opportunities to many in a way that profoundly shaped who leads the nation today - it was a policy that was ultimately unsustainable. The more profound reforms involved the Commonwealth taking responsibility for the funding of the tertiary sector and introducing direct Commonwealth funding, "state aid" for non-government independent schools at a time when the sectarianism that had dominated Australian society through the Menzies era had left the Catholic education system struggling.

3. Engagement with China

Whitlam was in opposition when he visited China in 1971, just ahead of plans for US President Nixon to also visit. It marked the start of thawing Cold War relations and in government, Whitlam established diplomatic relations with our now major trading partner and began to focus more heavily on Asia, including negotiating the NARA treaty with Japan.

4. Indigenous recognition

In August 1975, Whitlam poured sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari in a symbolic gesture that ended a decade-long strike by Gurindji people to reclaim their traditional lands. Whitlam's gesture was an echo of the moment in 1834 when an indigenous elder did the same to Melbourne's founder John Batman when he claimed the land. His government drafted legislation to grant land rights to indigenous people, passed later by the Fraser government, and abolished discrimination against Aboriginal people with the Racial Discrimination Act.

5. Opposed apartheid in South Africa via sporting sanctions

The 1971 Springbok tour of Australia was a bitter moment in our history. There were large-scale protests against the South African side, which was chosen on racial grounds, six Australian players boycotted the test series and local airlines refused to fly the team. The Whitlam Government banned racially selected South African sports teams from visiting or transiting through Australia in its first week in power. The ban continued under subsequent governments until apartheid's collapse 21 years later.

6. No-fault divorce

Until the Family Law Act came into being in 1975, a marriage could only be dissolved if one party could prove that the blame for its breakdown was due to adultery, cruelty, desertion or some other "offence". And because proceedings were held in the Supreme Court, divorce was a salacious newspaper staple that humiliated the families concerned, as well as being legally expensive. The change meant a couple had only to show that the marriage had suffered an irretrievable breakdown via a 12-month separation, for divorce to be granted. To achieve the change, Whitlam also established the Family Court of Australia.

7.Triple J

The golden age of Australian rock through the 1980s (think Midnight Oil) is in part due to the Whitlam Government mandating a minimum Australian music content of 10% on commercial radio stations. It launched 2JJ, a "yoof" station with a charter to support Australian music (the first song played was the then-banned Skyhooks track "You Just Like Me 'Cause I'm Good in Bed") and when FM radio began, along came the multicultural radio stations 2EA Sydney and 3EA in Melbourne, along with the first community radio stations.

8. Saved historic inner-city Sydney from the wrecking ball

While Glebe is now one of the city's trendiest and most expensive suburbs, it was a slum 40 years ago and was going to be flattened by the NSW government for a freeway. Whitlam bought land to block the freeway's path and restored 700 buildings there, revitalising the area and also creating affordable housing. He did a similar thing in Woolloomooloo, which was earmarked for high-density commercial development, as well as Emerald Hill in Melbourne.

Despite Australia's bush mythology, Whitlam recognised we were urban dwellers and focused on how cities functioned. Most notably, even in 1973, 320,000 homes - evenly split between Sydney and Melbourne - were unsewered, so Whitlam spent $330 million to halve that number before the Fraser government cancelled the program.

9. The national anthem and honours

Advance Australia Fair didn't officially become our national anthem until 1984, but it was Whitlam who set the ball rolling on Australia Day, 1973, when he established the Australian National Anthem Quest, attracting 2500 lyrics and 1300 melodies.
Three existing songs - Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda and Song of Australia, remained firm favourites and in a national poll, 51% preferred Advance Australia Fair, which for the next decade, became the unofficial anthem to a generation still singing God Save The Queen.

In 1975, Whitlam replaced the imperial honours system with the Order of Australia, letting a panel choose the recipients rather than politicians.

10. Blue Poles

The Whitlam government courted controversy when it paid $1.3 million for the American painter Jackson Pollock's abstract work Blue Poles in 1973 (Whitlam then reproduced it on his Christmas cards that year). The purchase was the result of the Art Acquisitions Committee he created, believing Australia needed a national art collection, having signed off on the construction of a National Gallery in 1973. Blue Poles is now regarded as one of Pollock's greatest works and a modern masterpiece, estimated to be worth more than $100 million.

11. Lowering the voting age to 18

There's a bigger context to this change: Whitlam ended the Vietnam War and conscription, but up until then, while 18-year-olds could be conscripted to fight and die for their country, they could not vote for or against a government that forced it upon them until they turned 21. In lowering the voting age, it also allowed teenagers to run for political office.

12.The film and television industry

Former Liberal leader John Gorton had the idea for the Australian Film and Television School. Whitlam brought it to fruition and the first year intake included Phillip Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence), Chris Noonan (Babe) and Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career) and later, Jane Campion (The Piano).

As with radio, the Whitlam government also increased the local content requirements for TV stations and in 1975, launched the Australian Film Commission to help fund feature films, documentaries and TV. Picnic at Hanging Rock and Gallipoli were among the early successes partly funded by the AFC.

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Gough Whitlam was in power for just 1071 days, but his government's reformist zeal after 23 years of conservative rule was unprecedented. In 1973, the first year of his prime ministership, his government passed a record 203 legislative bills.

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Why is the Whitlam Dismissal still so well known and well covered in the media to this day?

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Gough Whitlam listens to David Smith read the proclamation dissolving Parliament. Credit:Peter Wells

The Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, and his Government. This was the first time since Federation that a Prime Minister has been dismissed by the Crown.

Sir John Appointed the Opposition Leader, Mr Fraser, as a caretaker Prime Minister pending the outcome of the election.

Mr Whitlam bitterly attacked Sir John Kerr and accused him of acting unconstitutionally.

The Governor-General dissolved both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Whitlam's dismissal in 1975 appears to have motivated a generation of republicans.

Fraser Called Kerr's cur
As soon as the new of Mr Whitlam's dismissal became known there were protest meetings and immediate stop-work action in all major capital cities.

Malcolm Fraser and John Kerr, pictured in 1976 Credit:Peter Wells

Sir John Kerr's action shocked Mr Whitlam who had annouced that he would ask for a half-Senate election for December 13.

When he went to Government House he was told of his dismissal.

Front page of The Sydney Morning Herald from November 12 1975. Credit:Fairfax Archives

"I am certain the Crown did not have the right to do what the Governor-General did on this occasion. I mean, the Queen would never have done this, let's be frank about it... the Queen would never have done it."
Gough Whitlam

In a statement released about 2 pm, the Governor-General announced his decision and gave his reasons:
'My duty'
"The only solution consistent with the Constitution and with my oath of office and my responsibilities, authority and duty as Governor-General is to terminate the commission as Prime Minister of Mr Whitlam and to arrange for a caretaker Government able to secure Supply and willing to let the issue go to the people.

"Because of the principles of responsible Government a Prime Minister who cannot obtain Supply, including money for carrying on the ordinary services of Government, must either advise a general election or resign."

Mr Whitlam, clearly angered by the decision, made an uncharacteristic personal attack on Sir John while addressing a crowd of about 5,000 outside Parliament House:

"Ladies and gentlemen. Well may we say, 'God save the Queen' - because nothing will save the Governor-General. The proclamation which you have just heard read by was counter-signed by Malcolm Fraser, who will undoubtedly go down in Australian history from Remembrance Day, 1975, as Kerr's cur."

Mr Fraser showed little sign of the tension and strain of the past four weeks when he gave a 12-minute press conference late this afternoon.

"It will be my sole purpose as head of the Government, to restore responsible management to the nation's affairs and to ensure that Australia has the general election to which it is constitutionally entitled and which so far has been denied it," he said.

"Until the judgement of the Australian people has been registered at this election, my Government will make no appointments or dismissals, nor initiate any of our policies."
Bills passed
Soon after Sir John's momentous statement was released, the Opposition in the Senate passed the two bills that have caused the biggest political upheaval in Australia for 74 years - the money bills which constitute the Budget.

Mr Fraser denied that he had any knowledge of Sir John's decision before being told by the Governor-General after he had informed Mr Whitlam.

Although Mr Whitlam tried to move away from his public outburst against Sir John, he was openly critical of the Governor-General taking advice from the Chief Justice of the High Court and former Liberal Attorney-General, Sir Garfield Barwick.

"I thin the Governor-General was in error on that issue. The High Court of Australia does not have the function of giving advisory opinions. Some superior courts in other countries do, for instance the Supreme Court of Canada. The High Court does not have that function.

"If the views of High Court judges are relevant, then clearly the views of all seven are equally relevant."
The motion
But it proved again what a closed-ranks effect the whole issue has had as one by one, ministers went on to the steps of Parliament House and spoke to the crowd.

After a brief Caucus meeting at 7pm the whole Caucus and Mr Whitlam went out to the crowd and spoke and sang Advance Australia Fair.

Mr Whitlam told Caucus that justice would be done and Labor would be returned to power. Members emerged with hastily prepared signs on their lapels, which read: "Labor will win."

The day's events signalled the start of what could be one the hardest, "no-holds-barred" election campaigns seen in Australia.

Mr Whitlam gave notice that he intends to start his campaign this week at prior engagements in Liverpool and Wollongong - although the official opening will be later.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on November 12, 1975

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The Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, and his Government. This was the first time since Federation that a Prime Minister has been dismissed by the Crown. Sir John Appointed the Opposition Leader, Mr Fraser, as a caretaker Prime Minister pending the outcome of the election.

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Was Whitlam an effective leader whilst in office? Provide examples for or against.

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Sydney Morning Herald, Nov 12 1975

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Gough Whitlam's famous words after his 1975 dismissal

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Extracts from Whitlam's take on the Dismissal

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Extracts from Whitlam's take on the Dismissal

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The Canberra Times - 3rd Feb, 1979

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On Wednesday, the Whitlam account - The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 3 Feb 1979

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Background Surrounding Whitlam's Visit to China 

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Background Surrounding Whitlam's Visit to China 

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In October 1970, Canada became the second western country, after France in 1964, to establish diplomatic and trade relations with China. The newly formed diplomatic relationship helped to promote trade between the two countries, especially the wheat supplied from Canadian market. Businesses in Australia were concerned after the news reached Australia. However, the foreign policy adopted by the Liberal and the country Party Coalition government around this time, would not encourage the formal recognition of People’s Republic of China.

Australia Labor Party and then Labour leader Goulf Whitlam identified the opportunity to develop a relationship with China. On 2nd of July 1971, Whitlam visited People’s Republic of China as the first Australia political leader to do so. His visit was one week prior to the secret visit by the United States Secretary of States
(Pic: Premier Zhou En-lai with Whitlam in Beijing )

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https://www.afr.com/news/policy/foreign-affairs/whitlams-china-masterstroke-20121004-j9jgq
http://www.360doc.com/content/12/1122/11/443902_249493708.shtml

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For people who lived through and witnessed the dismissal, how do they think about it? 

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For people who lived through and witnessed the dismissal, how do they think about it? 

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Following is three interviews with people who experienced the dismissal:

1, Fred is a chemist,  and is now in his eighties.
Fred: “I tried to argue with people around me to make them understand about what happened with the dismissal. I would use two football teams as an analogy. The Queen was like an umpire and she had to call the games to be stopped and restart again after almost all the players had been piling on each other and refused to move.”

2, Pam, a retired apparel shop owner
Pam: “ I just did not agree with the dismissal and it was not good for the country”

3, David, a retired public servant
"I could not see it coming.
When it came there  was shock disbelief and anger.
I wanted to be a republic more than ever.
I was betrayed by a Queen who sacked an elected Government, and conspired with Fraser to appoit him as a caretaker
There was violence in the streets…in my opinion justifiable outrage.
I felt the bastards had tricked me, that the Governor General was  a token head of state removed from politics, an arm of the queen bringing good will to the colonies, and providing a conduit to England.
I consider that republicanism was dealt a  significant blow, as the Queen intervened directly in Australia politics.
I felt there were secret deals, a coup, between the Queen and Fraser. These were things that should never have happened. The Queen should never undermine a leader and make secret deals with the opposition.
Kerr appeared as a man who struggled to live with the enormity of what he did. He was soon seen drunk in public office at the Melbourne Cup and Labour called “Shame”
I considered I had been betrayed, by something that had misused the constitution, and for a moment elevated the role of the Queen and her Governor General to make political  deals. I see it as a monarch and a man, try to find someone more in the line of conservative values.
Whitlam’ trip to China was great, but would have irked the queen.
Dominant feelings- the monarchy voids an elected parliament- = contempt.
Labour feels anger, caught by surprise.
Liberals are desperate for power and create a constitutional crisis.
Liberals did everything they could to destroy a democratic government.
It was shameful, chaotic times.  I felt dis-empowered. I never accepted the Governor General was any thing but a token representation. To this day I remain anti royalist"