Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has characterized Gough Whitlam’s dismissal from office as a “terrible mistake,” reflecting on the events that transpired fifty years ago. On November 11, 1975, Whitlam was removed from his position by Governor-General Sir John Kerr amid a budget impasse that threatened to leave Australia without funding for essential services. This unprecedented action has significantly shaped Australian political discourse for decades.
The crisis emerged when Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser refused to pass Whitlam’s budget, leading to a constitutional deadlock. In a controversial move, Kerr dismissed Whitlam and appointed Fraser as Prime Minister. Howard, who was a junior member of Fraser’s opposition at the time, criticized Whitlam’s approach to the situation, stating, “I think he just assumed that Kerr was his man and would do his bidding, and that was a terrible mistake.” He emphasized that Whitlam should have recognized the possibility of Kerr exercising his reserve powers to remove him from office.
Public Sentiment and Political Consequences
Following Whitlam’s dismissal, Australians went to the polls, resulting in a decisive victory for the coalition government led by Fraser. According to Howard, public sentiment had shifted against Whitlam well before his removal. “People didn’t vote according to their feelings about the dismissal,” he noted, suggesting that the electorate’s discontent was evident prior to the government’s sacking.
As Howard prepares to share more insights at Old Parliament House, he reflects on the urgency with which Whitlam’s Labor government pursued reforms following two decades in opposition. Howard remarked, “He was very much in a rush. But you can be in a rush towards the wrong objective,” pointing out that increased spending and a larger public service were among what he termed flawed policies of the Whitlam administration.
Contrasting Perspectives on the Dismissal
Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offers a starkly different interpretation of the events of 1975. He described Whitlam’s dismissal as a “brutal political play” that unjustly removed a democratically elected government. In a speech delivered at Old Parliament House, Albanese asserted, “Make no mistake: November 11th 1975, was not a constitutional crisis, it was a partisan political ambush.” He emphasized that there was no legitimate justification for such an unprecedented action.
In light of the anniversary, Albanese announced plans to erect a statue of Whitlam at Old Parliament House to commemorate his contributions as Prime Minister. “Australians will be able to stand with Gough, put an arm around the great man’s shoulders, and remind ourselves that if we maintain our enthusiasm, it’s always time,” he stated, aiming to honor Whitlam’s legacy in Australian governance.
The dismissal of Gough Whitlam remains a pivotal moment in Australia’s political history, eliciting ongoing debate regarding its implications for democracy and governance in the nation.
