30 years ago, tomorrow...

[Platypus]

...The Gough Whitlam-led Labor government was dismissed.

"Well may we say, 'God Save the Queen'. Because nothing will save the Governor-General.

The proclaimation which you have just heard read by the Governor-General's official secretary, was countersigned 'Malcolm Fraser'. Who will undoubtably go down in Australian history, from Rememberance Day 1975, as 'Kerr's curr"


I don't think any politician has ever delivered any statement better then Whitlam's Initial two sentences. You can read more about the crisis (and hear the speeches) here: http://whitlamdismissal.com/

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The truely odd thing is the reaction of the Aussie electorate

[Platypus]

well, Whitlam's Labor government was absolutely hopeless. Fraser was seen as the lesser of two evils, and I think in hindsight whilst it definently shouldn't have happenned, it wasn't that bad that it did. Whitlam would've been even more pasted at the polls if he'd waited for the whole term.

[opebo]

Wasn't it around that time that the CIA undermined your Labour government, Hugehenai?

[Platypus]

Hugehenai? OK. Must look thjat up.

There were suspicions that the CIA had some role to play, yes. I'm not really sure I believe it, although there is some evidence that points to it; but it's useful to bring up when i'm being sarcastic or arguing against American imperialism

[opebo]

Hugehenai? OK. Must look thjat up

Oops, I messed that one up - I meant Hugehentai.

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Oh, I wouldn't have much doubt about it..  why wouldn't they interfere?  That was their job.


[/quote]

[Platypus]

why would they bother to interfere? It's just Australia

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aussie politicians and the Governer General were quite capable of making a complete mess of things without any outside intervention

[opebo]

why would they bother to interfere? It's just Australia

Oh, they rigged up a lot less vital places than Australia, Hugehen.

[Emsworth]

The dismissal was a case of political ineptitude on the part of Sir John Kerr. It would probably have been wiser for the Governor General to actually warn Whitlam that he would be dismissed unless he secured Supply, rather than meeting with a member of the Opposition behind the Prime Minister's back. The political mess that followed could easily have been avoided, if only the Governor General were more cautious.

The dismissal is also a matter of interest due to the constitutional questions raised. I would actually tend to side with Whitlam: only the House of Representatives, not the Senate, should be allowed to deny Supply.