UPDATE: Former Prime Minister John Howard has labeled Gough Whitlam’s dismissal 50 years ago a “terrible mistake,” marking the anniversary of a pivotal moment in Australian political history. On November 11, 1975, Whitlam was abruptly removed from office by Governor-General Sir John Kerr amid a budget deadlock that threatened to cripple the nation financially.
In a stark reflection on the events leading to Whitlam’s ousting, Howard emphasized that Whitlam miscalculated the situation by believing Kerr would act in his favor. “He should have worked out for himself that Kerr might exercise the reserve power and dismiss him,” Howard stated, speaking to AAP. This dismissal led to a constitutional crisis and paved the way for Malcolm Fraser to assume the prime ministership shortly thereafter.
Howard, who was a junior member of the Fraser opposition at the time, noted that public sentiment had soured against Whitlam well before the dismissal. In a sweeping electoral victory, the coalition government was elected soon after, underscoring a significant shift in Australian politics. “People didn’t vote according to their feelings about the dismissal,” Howard highlighted.
The former prime minister will be interviewed at Old Parliament House on Tuesday to revisit the saga. He argued that Whitlam’s administration was rushed in implementing major reforms after over two decades in opposition, stating, “You can be in a rush towards the wrong objective.” Howard criticized the Whitlam government for increased spending and an expanded public service.
In contrast, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the dismissal as a “brutal political play” that undermined a democratically elected government. In a powerful address at Old Parliament House on Monday evening, Albanese remarked, “November 11th 1975 was not a constitutional crisis; it was a partisan political ambush.” He denounced the lack of legitimate justification for Whitlam’s removal.
Albanese also announced plans to erect a statue of Whitlam at Old Parliament House to commemorate his contributions. “Australians will be able to stand with Gough, put an arm around the great man’s shoulders,” he said, reinforcing the importance of recognizing Whitlam’s legacy.
As discussions reignite around this historic event, the impact of the dismissal continues to resonate through Australian politics, provoking passionate debate about the nature of governance and political accountability.
Stay tuned for updates as this significant anniversary unfolds, and follow the upcoming interviews and commemorations that will further explore the implications of this critical moment in history.
