#Dismissal1975

From 13 October – 11 November 2015, the @MoAD_Canberra Twitter feed went back in time to mark the 40^th anniversary of the Dismissal of the Whitlam government, based on a narrative written by award-winning writer Paul Daley.

Back to the #Dismissal1975 page.

Prime Minister of Australia

Gough Whitlam

@GoughWhitlam_75

Governor-General of Australia

Sir John Kerr

@SirJKerr_75

Leader of the Opposition

Malcolm Fraser

@MalFraser_75

Treasurer of Australia

Bill Hayden

@BillHayden_75

Chief Justice of the High Court

Sir Garfield Barwick

@SirGBarwick_75

Senator for Western Australia

Reg Withers

@RegWithers_75

Minister for Minerals and Energy

Rex Connor

@RexConnor_75

Pakistani Money lender and middleman

Tirath Khemlani

@TKhemlani_75

Parliamentary Press Gallery guru

Alan Reid

@GalleryFox_75

Private Secretary to Gough Whitlam

Eric Walsh

@EricWalsh_75

Official Secretary to the Governor-General

Sir David Smith

@SirDavid_75

The spirit of Australian Democracy

Emu Kangaroo

@EmuKangaroo_75

October 13^th

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 9:44am

Loan affair about to complete the stage for one of the greatest threats to Aust democracy.

Alan Reid @GalleryFox_75 9:49am

13 December, 1974 was the day @GoughWhitlam_75 signed his Govt’s death warrant.

Bill Hayden @BillHayden_75 10:26am

1/2

Connor is a man for crashing through barriers - even ones erected for safety purposes.

2/2

A zoot-suited spiv selling Sydney Opera House on quiet Sunday arvo would have made a more convincing offer (than Khemlani).

Rex Connor @RexConnor_75 12:53pm

I knew from the moment we met on 11/11/74 Khemlani’d make my resource dreams come true with 400M petro.

Rex Connor @RexConnor_75 12:59pm

Re. loans I have outlined ‘all communications of substance’ with Khemlani.

Rex Connor @RexConnor_75 7:31pm

1/2

Give me men to match my mountains; Give me men to match my plains…

2/2

…Men with freedom in their vision, and creation in their brains.

Peter Game @PeterGame_75 7:46pm

In London have found Khemlani who claims to still have fund raising authority for Fed. Govt.

Rex Connor @RexConnor_75 7:54pm

Peter Game & the Herald wrong - I’m suing for defamation.

Tirath Khemlani @TKhemlani_75 7:56pm

I will stand by you, @PeterGame_75. You can have my documents. They show Mr. Connor is wrong.

October 14^th

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 9:38am

1/3

If we do make up our minds…that the Govt is so reprehensible that an Opposition must use whatever power is available…

2/3

…then I’d want to find a situation in which Mr Whitlam woke up one morning finding the decision had been made…

3/3

…& finding he had been caught with his pants well and truly down.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 2:17pm

Connor, caught out, has resigned after a Caucus vote.

Bill Hayden @BillHayden_75 2:30pm

1/2

Connor ‘would pursue the faintest whiff of borrowable funds uncorked by the least credible financial carpetbagger…

2/2

…who happened across his path, even when he did not have the authority to do so.’

October 15^th

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 3:00pm

1/2

Oppn now has no choice…we must use the power vested in us by Constitution & delay passage of the Govt’s money…

2/2

…through the Senate until the Parliament goes to the people.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 3:13pm

1/2

I state again the basic rule of our parliamentary system: Governments are made in the House of Representatives…

2/2

…the Senate cannot, does not and must not determine government.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 3:52pm

Fraser will have to tell his colleagues to do…the unprecedented, the reprehensible, of rejecting a Budget.

October 16^th

Neville Bonner @NevilleBonner75 9:44am

1/2

This government has been a failure. It has lied and deceived the public. It does not deserve to stay in power…

2/2

…but I still feel it is a dangerous precedent for a Senate to force a general election.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 2:07pm

1/3

In total disregard of practices and conventions observed in the Aust Parliament since Federation the Oppn announced…

2/3

…its intention to delay those Bills, with the object of forcing an election of this house. The actions of the Leader…

3/3

…of the Oppn will, if pursued, have most serious consequences for Parliamentary democracy in Australia.

Reg Withers @RegWithers_75 2:15pm

@GoughWhitlam_75 we are merely adopting the Constitutional method of giving people a choice.

Gov House Insider @GGresidence_75 8:56pm

Gough and G-G joking over drinks re. who’ll sack who first. LOL

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 8:59pm

@SirJKerr_75 it could be a question of whether I get to the Queen first for your recall or you get in first with my dismissal

October 17^th

Bob Ellicott @BobEllicott_75 9:15am

1/2

Advised that if PM prepared only to have half Senate poll then ‘open to GG to dismiss present ministers and seek others

2/2

…who are prepared to give him the only proper advice open. This he should proceed to do’.

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 1:29pm

Said to @GoughWhitlam_75 of Ellicott’s dismissal advice ‘It’s bullshit isn’t it?’

October 18^th

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 10:57am

1/3

@GoughWhitlam_75 admitted…that money would run out before any election could be fought and decided…

2/3

…but there was no possibility of his giving in to the pressure of the Senate…

3/3

…‘It is the future of parliamentary democracy in Australia,’ he said.

October 19^th

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 9:15am

Sought Whitlam’s permission to meet Chief Justice Garfield Barwick for opinion.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 1:34pm

Advised the Governor-General not to meet & take advice from Barwick.

Gough Whitlam advised Governor-General not to take advice image

October 20^th

Syd Morning Herald @SMH_Dismissal75 12:53pm

Constitutional crisis…firmly deadlocked last night with both @GoughWhitlam_75 & @MalFraser_75 refusing to give ground.

October 21^st

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 10:43am

1/2

We now have the extraordinary spectacle of the Opposition apparently recognising that it has failed to blackmail me…

2/3

…into an election seeking to…bring reprehensible pressure on the Governor-General…to achieve that very thing…

3/3

…and to do so by dismissing the Prime Minister.

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 1:52pm

1/2

Met Fraser; advised supply is deferred so should it come to dissolution he’d be able to guarantee…

2/2

…supply by passing Appropriation Bills & asked about press reports of Liberal Senate waverers.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 3:38pm

Drinks with GG. Assured him will continue to delay supply & said ‘the press often doesn’t get it right’.

October 22^nd

The Age @Age_Dismissal75 9:34am

1/2

G-G @SirJKerr_75 called the Oppn Leader @MalFraser_75 to Govt House yesterday for an hour-long…discussion…

2/2

…on Aust’s Constitutional crisis. @SirJKerr_75 also had separate private talks with the PM.

October 23^rd

William Wentworth @BillWentworth75 9:39am

1/2

There is no prospect of economic recovery unless the Govt is removed from office…

2/2

…the administration of this Government has been shot through with scandal and corruption.

October 24^th

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 9:56am

Min. for Social Security says no further funds avail. to pay staff of the Dept after Nov.13

October 25^th

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 10:14am

I give the unequivocal guarantee that the Govt’s salary & wage commitments arising from (govt) employment will…be met…

October 26^th

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 9:33am

Whitlam told 3000 migrants at the Melb. Town Hall that supply would get through because ‘not all Liberals are fascists’

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 1:55pm

@GoughWhitlam_75 is either a liar or a fool and in either case he’s not fit for his present position.

October 27^th

The Age @Age_Dismissal75 11:38am

Khemlani, centre of loans controversy, due to return to Aust early this week for ‘business purposes’.

October 28^th

Syd Morning Herald @SMH_Dismissal75 9:51am

Two Liberal MPs were sifting [last night] through suitcases of documents brought to Australia by @TKhemlani_75

October 29^th

The Age @Age_Dismissal75 9:05am

The Opposition has failed to find direct evidence linking the PM to loan negotiations after May 20 this year.

October 30^th

The Age @Age_Dismissal75 10:43am

70% of capital-city voters believe the Senate should allow supply to pass, says poll in Age.

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 1:52pm

Mr Whitlam predicted last night the deadlock would be resolved quite soon in favour of the Govt & the HoR.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 11:27am

My SMH op-ed today: We were elected for three years. We are entitled to govern for our three-year term.

October 31^st

Syd Morning Herald @SMH_Dismissal75 TBC

New poll shows parties level as support for Whitlam government increases, both on 44.6% primary vote.

Syd Morning Herald @SMH_Dismissal75 10:54am

Sir John Kerr met with both Fraser and Whitlam yesterday. Both leaders are standing firm and refusing to back down

November 1^st

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 9:00am

Doug Anthony states ‘If PM gets away with playing politics he’ll “bludgeon” Aust’ns into accepting his corruption.’

November 2^nd

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 9:00am

1/2

Mr Whitlam’s move to stay in power without budget grave and unprecedented…

2/2

…Proposing to spend taxpayer’s money without Parliament’s authority to say he can spend it.

November 3^rd

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 9:00am

Today @MalFraser_75 meets G-G after seeing Coalition leaders y/day. Condemns attempt of Govt. to remain without budget.

November 4^th

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 10:30am

1/2

My Melb Cup presentation speech: ‘I’m presenting it of course under circumstances where the horse is the same…

2/2

…the jockey is the same and, thank goodness, the Governor-General is the same.’

November 5^th

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 9:15am

Statement y/day: I informed G-G we will pass supply on condition a HoR election is held next year. Whitlam must accept.

November 6^th

The Age @Age_Dismissal75 9:30am

Awkward: Hayden & Fraser cross paths in GG’s study, each wanting answers. Fraser upping pressure.

Bill Hayden @BillHayden_75 9:45am

Told Whitlam: ‘My old copper’s instincts tell me he’s going to sack us.’

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 9:50am

Told Hayden, ‘No comrade – he (Kerr) wouldn’t have the guts to do it.’

Eric Walsh @EricWalsh_75 TBC

Hayden advised Gough he’s convinced Kerr is prepared to act. Nobody took it seriously.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 2:00pm

Just met G-G and can assure you the crisis will be over within a week.

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 2:20pm

It is clear to me that no compromise is to be found between Fraser & Whitlam.

November 7^th

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 9:30am

My offer of last Mon to pass supply bills immediately if Govt agrees to gen. election before next July still stands.

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 10:00am

In the Senate yesterday the Opposition deferred debate on the Appropriation Bills again, for the third time.

November 8^th

Canberra Times @CT_Dismissal_75 10:00am

Sen McClelland blames present political crisis for much of the (unemployment) increase during month.

November 9^th

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 2:00pm

I would be happy to meet @MalFraser_75 at 9am on 11/11 before regular party meetings to discuss current political deadlock.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 2:10pm

I agree to a meeting with the PM provided we discuss the need to hold a House of Reps election.

November 10^th

Sir Garfield Barwick @SirGBarwick_75 9:15am

1/3

Advised G-G ‘a PM who cannot ensure…supply to the crown…must either advise a general election or resign.

2/3

If, being unable to…secure supply he refuses to take either course Your Excellency has constitutional authority…

3/3

…to withdraw his commission as prime minister.’

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 2:00pm

Decided to dismiss Govt, commission Fraser as caretaker PM & get Parliament dissolved on Tuesday 11th if crisis not resolved.

Neville Bonner @NevilleBonner75 2:30pm

The ALP will never know how close it was to remaining in office.

Philip Lynch @PhilipLynch_75 2:59pm

@MalFraser: Do you think he (Whitlam) knows?

November 11^th

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 7:05am

11 November dawns calm & bright, no hint of chaos to come. Newspapers anticipate resolution.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 9:00am

Waiting to meet @MalFraser_75 to offer delayed half-Senate election in return for supply & end to crisis.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 9:15am

1/2

Rejected Whitlam compromise of delayed half Senate election. Told him ‘You know PM there are people who think the GG…

2/2

…has got an independent duty to make up his mind.’ Whitlam responded: “rubbish”.

Fred Daly @Fred_Daly_75 9:30am

Suspect the Opposition has something up its sleeve – the Governor-General?

Frank Crean @FrankCrean_75 9:40am

Gough - you sure the G-G’s right?

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 9:41am

@FrankCrean_75 Of course. What can happen? He understands the Constitution & knows…to accept the advice of the elected Govt.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 9:50am

Oblivious - @GoughWhitlam_75 has just booked Opera House for 24 Dec election launch.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 10:10am

G-G Sir John can’t see me this morning. Have 1pm appointment to advise him of half Senate election.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 10:15am

Sir John called, asked if I can guarantee supply if caretaker PM. Appointment to see him just after 1pm.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 10:30am

1/2

Jubilation in Caucus with announcement am advising half Senate election. Caucus was discussing tourist park. Told them…

2/2

…"This is like the Bishops of Constantinople discussing the colour of their raiments while Barbarians lay siege to city".

Philip Lynch @PhilipLynch_75 11:01am

We believe that events will work themselves out…(and) the present course is sound for reasons which will become apparent.

Alan Reid @GalleryFox_75 11:02am

Source tells me @SirJKerr_75 might reject @GoughWhitlam_75 advice for half Senate poll.

Gov House Insider @GGresidence_75 11:45am

Sir John relaxed with pre-lunch G&T, ready for meetings with Whitlam and Fraser.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 11:46am

1/2

I move that this House censures the Govt and its Ministers…for the risk to democracy…

2/2

…in the failure of the Govt to call a gen. election in accordance with custom and convention.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 12:15pm

1/3

In House of Reps: ‘The whole tactic of the Leader of the Opp’n has been to bypass the house, to undermine…

2/3

… its established rights and authority which have never been challenged since Federation…

3/3

…and would not be challenged in any other country with a comparable system of government.’

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 12:35pm

@MalFraser_75 leaves Parliament during the censure motion he moved against my gov’t. Puzzling & disrespectful of institution.

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 1:00pm

1/3

@GoughWhitlam: ‘You have persisted in your attitude and I have accordingly acted as indicated…

2/3

…I propose to send for the Leader of the Opposition and to commission him…

3/3

…to form a new caretaker government until an election can be held.’

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 1:15pm

The bastard’s done a game.

Sir John Kerr @SirJKerr_75 1:16pm

@GoughWhitlam: ‘We will all have to live with this.’

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 1:17pm

@SirJKerr: ‘You certainly will.’

Gov House Insider @GGresidence_75 1:20pm

One of the ADCs says @SirJKerr_75 sacked PM @GoughWhitlam_75.

Gov House Insider @GGresidence_75 1:30pm

Extraordinary! I heard that @GoughWhitlam_75 went back to the Lodge for a steak after being sacked!

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 1:50pm

1/3

That this House declares that it has confidence in the Whitlam Govt and that…

2/3

…this House informs HM the Queen that if the G-G purports to commission the Hon the Member for Wannon as PM….

3/3

…the House does not have confidence in him or in any govt he forms.’ Written at The Lodge, 1.50pm 11 November, 1975.’

Alan Reid @GalleryFox_75 2:00pm

Govt Senators unaware @GoughWhitlam_75 sacked. Senate set to vote on Appropriations Bills.

Ken Wriedt @KenWriedt_75 2:15pm

Come on Reg (Withers) let’s get this thing over and done with and the Bills passed.

Reg Withers @RegWithers_75 2:16pm

@KenWriedt_75: Oh yes, I think we can do that.

John Button @JohnButton_75 2:17pm

There’s a story going around that the Government’s been sacked.

Ken Wriedt @KenWriedt_75 2:18pm

@JohnButton_75: ‘Don’t be bloody ridiculous.’

JOByrne @JOByrne_75 2:20pm

The question now is: That the Bills be now passed. Question resolved in the affirmative.

Malcolm Fraser @MalFraser_75 2:35pm

1/3

Mr Speaker, this afternoon the Governor-General commissioned me to form a government until elections can be held…

2/3

The purpose of the commission is to permit a deadlock between the Houses of Parliament to be resolved…

3/3

…and to return Australia to stable government.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 3:00pm

1/3

That this House expresses its want of confidence in the Prime Minister and requests Mr Speaker…

2/3

…forthwith to advise His Excellency the Governor-General to call the honourable member for Werriwa to form a government.

3/3

…The Budget Bills have been passed. Accordingly, the Gov’t which twice has been elected by the people is able to govern.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 3:15pm

The budget bills are returned to the House of Representatives from the Senate. The House is suspended until 5.30.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 3:40pm

Officials from the PMs and Att-Gen’s depts deliver the docs necessary for the dissolution of both Houses of Parliament to the PM.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 4:00pm

Sir John Kerr signs the proclamation dissolving both houses of parliament.

L Beacroft @LBeacroft_75 4:30pm

1000s of public servants running at Parlt House. Revolution. Stopped at the police line.

Emu Kangaroo @EmuKangaroo_75 4:40pm

Bird’s eye view from Coat of Arms of @GoughWhitlam_75 hovering over Sir David Smith as he reads proclamation.

Sir David? @SirDavid_75 4:41pm

1/3

Whereas by Section 57 of the Constitution it is provided that if the House of Representatives…

2/3

…passes any proposed law and the Senate rejects or fails to pass it… the Governor-General may dissolve…

3/3

…the Senate and the House of Representatives simultaneously.

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 4:50pm

Well may we say ‘God save the Queen’, because nothing will save the Governor-General!

Gough Whitlam @GoughWhitlam_75 5:00pm

@MalFraser_75…will undoubtedly go down in Australian history from Remembrance Day 1975 as Kerr's cur

#Dismissal1975

Gough Whitlam

Sir John Kerr

Malcolm Fraser

Bill Hayden

Sir Garfield Barwick

Reg Withers

Rex Connor

Tirath Khemlani

Alan Reid

Eric Walsh

Sir David Smith

Emu Kangaroo

October 13th

October 14th

October 15th

October 16th

October 17th

October 18th

October 19th

October 20th

October 21st

October 22nd

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October 24th

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October 26th

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October 31st

November 1st

November 2nd

November 3rd

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November 11th