Gough Whitlam on the steps of Parliament House, 11 November 1975, while David Smith reads the proclamation dissolving parliament. Photo: Supplied National Archives of Australia.
November 11 is a significant date in the Australian psyche, not only because it is a day set aside since the end of World War I to honour members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
Fifty years ago, the day was hijacked by a Governor-General whom no one voted for, but who was intent on riding roughshod over Australia’s democracy.
Fifty years ago today, Sir John Kerr sacked elected Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who had almost two years of his second term in office still to serve.
Fifty years ago today, Liberal MP Malcolm Fraser was installed as the interim PM until he was duly elected in a landslide at the subsequent federal election.
Yes, November 11 holds significant meaning on many levels for most Australians.
The Dismissal of Gough Whitlam sparked a political awakening for many, just as it shocked the nation out of its political naivety.
The scene of David Smith, Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, reading – in formal dress – the proclamation of the dissolution of parliament on the steps of the then Parliament House, has long been etched on our collective psyche.
The scene was made more powerful when the newly deposed Gough pushed through the throng to tower behind the secretary as the words were read out.
The late Sir David, subsequently stated he had no idea Whitlam was standing behind him when reading the proclamation.
It wasn’t until it was done and Gough stepped to the media microphones himself that the secretary realised why so much of the crowd had begun cheering louder when he was reading.
Then it was Gough’s turn to utter those now immortal words: “Well may we say God Save the Queen because nothing will save the Governor-General.
“The proclamation which you have just heard read by the Governor-General’s official secretary was countersigned ‘Malcolm Fraser’, who will undoubtedly go down in Australian history from Remembrance Day 1975 as Kerr’s cur.”
Whitlam subsequently remarked it was the best speech he had ever given at Parliament House and it wasn’t even recorded in Hansard.
The 1975 Parliament House is now known as Old Parliament House, home to the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Today, on the 50th anniversary of the Dismissal, MoAD is staging a program of reflections, analysis and panel discussions of that eventful time.
Speakers will include the current Governor-General Sam Mostyn, former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard, political commentators, journalists, and even Garry McDonald, who was in character as scallywag Norman Gunston, making light of it all on the steps 50 years ago.
Last night, however, the current Prime Minister, Labor’s Anthony Albanese, delivered an address at Old Parliament House (attended by members of the Whitlam family as well as some of the now old folk who worked in the building in some capacity back in 1975) to mark the anniversary.
And he pulled no punches.
He acknowledged that while Whitlam’s government was by no means perfect, it was visionary, progressive and productive – and that Australia’s democracy was savagely assaulted in the way it was removed.
“Make no mistake, November 11th 1975 was not a ‘constitutional crisis’ – it was a partisan political ambush,” the Prime Minister said.
“There was no real precedent and no legitimate pretext.
“The Opposition orchestrated a parliamentary gridlock over the budget and then secretly prevailed upon the Governor-General to break it, by sacking the Prime Minister.
“Sir John Kerr justified his actions on the basis of incorrect advice from Chief Justice Barwick, improperly given.
“But in truth, the Opposition had preyed upon Sir John Kerr’s desire to be at the centre of events.
“And they had cultivated his paranoia, his fear that Whitlam was planning to replace him.
“They were aided in their actions by the Prime Minister’s unshakeable belief – right up until the moment he was handed his letter of dismissal – that Kerr was a proper person, who would do the right thing.
“While the scenes in this building on 11 November may have been chaotic, the Dismissal was a calculated plot, hatched by conservative forces which sacrificed conventions and institutions in the pursuit of power.
“And the result of the election that followed does not wash any of that away.”
Mr Albanese used his speech last night to announce the commissioning of a statue of Mr Whitlam to join those of other trailblazing leaders situated around the capital.
It will “commemorate the reforms he drove and delivered” and “above all” the lives and communities his vision and ambition transformed.
“Here in our nation’s capital, Gough’s statue will look out on the public service he revitalised and energised,” Mr Albanese said.
“Down toward the National Gallery he established, and forever enhanced with the acquisition of Blue Poles.
“And it will look out upon the nation Gough Whitlam changed.”
