The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government - November 11th, 1975 November 11th, 1975 LinkedIn1 The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government on November 11, 1975 was the most dramatic political event in the history of Australia’s Federation. Edward Gough Whitlam’s government was elected on December 2, 1972 and was the first Labor administration in 23 years. Elected in a national mood of hope and anticipation, the government was steeped in controversy from the outset. Re-elected eighteen months later, it was gone in just under three years. It was a government that initiated unparalleled reform but was frustrated by the Senate, dismissed by the Governor-General, and then massively repudiated by the electorate. The story of the Whitlam years is the story of a political system tested to its limits. It remains a story of relevance to contemporary politics.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1975 The years 1972-1975 were a whirlwind of activity, controversy and change, culminating in the dramatic events of October 1975 when the coalition parties in the Senate used their numbers to delay passage of the government’s Supply Bills. A three-week constitutional impasse followed, culminating in Whitlam’s dismissal by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, on November 11. BACKGROUND TO 1972 The Whitlam Government was the first Labor government for 23 years, since the defeat of Ben Chifley in 1949. It was elected at a time of growing disillusionment with the Vietnam War, a concern about Australia’s place in the world and great social change. GOUGH WHITLAM Whitlam was born in Melbourne in 1916. He grew up in Canberra and entered Parliament in 1952, becoming deputy leader of the ALP in 1961 and leader in 1967.

He won a 7% swing to his party in the 1969 election, rescuing it from the electoral disaster of 1966. Whitlam won office in 1972, was re-elected in 1974, dismissed and defeated in 1975, and rejected by the electorate again in 1977. He resigned the ALP leadership after the 1977 election and left parliament in 1978. In retirement, his energy and commitment to causes continued unabated. SIR JOHN KERR The man appointed by Whitlam to the position of Governor-General in 1974 is variously portrayed as a man of principle, a deceiver, an insecure man desperate to make his mark on history, the person who resolved a difficult situation not of his making by remitting it to the people, and a drunk. SIR GARFIELD BARWICK Barwick was Chief Justice of the High Court during the Whitlam years. He provided formal advice to the Governor-General on November 10, supporting Kerr’s decision to dismiss Whitlam.

Forty years later, it was revealed that High Court Justice Sir Anthony Mason played an even more significant role than Barwick did. CONSTITUTIONAL & POLITICAL ISSUES: THE KEY QUESTIONS The Dismissal raised a number of important constitutional, parliamentary and political issues, most of which remain unresolved to this day. Should the Senate have the right to block money bills? How should a government respond when this happens? Should the Governor-General intervene in conflicts between the houses? When should the Governor-General intervene? THE WHITLAM GOVERNMENTS Whitlam’s 1972 election was the result of a program of party reform, policy development and political salesmanship. The ‘Program’ he presented to the people in 1972 still stands as the most definitive statement of policies ever proposed at an election. This section also contains information on the Whitlam ministers. THE LOANS AFFAIR The Loans Affair saga caused enormous damage to the credibility and reputation of the Whitlam government in 1975. It led to the dismissal of Dr. Jim Cairns and Rex Connor, and was pivotal to the decision of the Opposition to block the Budget in October 1975.

WHITLAM SPEECHES Gough Whitlam died on October 21, 2014, at the age of 98. Even into his 90s, he was an active contributor to the political debates in Australia. Alone among all of the nation’s former leaders, he inspires a full measure of devotion from his supporters. – National Archives of Australia The motion that might have saved the Whitlam government Notice of motion written by Gough Whitlam at The Lodge, 11 November 1975. (NAA: M4628, 2) On one of the most dramatic days in Australia's political history, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was dismissed by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr. In the frantic hours after the Dismissal, Whitlam sought to find a way to restore his government to power. It was business as usual in the House of Representatives. At 2.00pm on 11 November 1975, the Deputy Prime Minister, Frank Crean, resumed the defence of the Whitlam government against an Opposition censure motion. But below the surface momentous events were in train.

‘What would happen, for argument’s sake, if someone else were to come in here in a few minutes and say he was now Prime Minister of this country’, Crean hinted cryptically. As he spoke, government staffers were beginning to empty their offices. Rumours were spreading through Parliament House. Soon the dramatic news was confirmed. The Whitlam government had been sacked by the Governor-General. Crean’s job was to stall for time while his leader planned his response. Ten minutes earlier, Crean had been at the Lodge discussing tactics with Whitlam and others. There was no doubt in Whitlam’s mind that the House of Representatives held the key. It was in the House that governments were made and unmade, not in the offices of the Governor-General. Surrounded by senior members and staff, Whitlam drafted a notice of motion that he hoped would restore his government to power. The motion declared the House’s support for the sacked Whitlam government. The Queen was to be informed that the House would have no confidence in any government formed by the Opposition leader, Malcolm Fraser. No prime minister could govern without the confidence of the people’s house. This was a fundamental principle of representative government. Whitlam had the numbers, Fraser did not.

The Whitlam government had to be reinstated. Breaking the deadlock For weeks Whitlam had been defending the independence and authority of the House of Representatives against the Senate's attempts to force it to an election. On 16 October, the Opposition-controlled Senate had voted to delay passage of the Budget bills until an election was called. If the bills were not passed, the government would run out of money. This deadlock could not continue. By 11 November, Whitlam believed his only option was to bring forward a half-Senate election in the hope of securing a majority in the upper house. The necessary documents were prepared, and Whitlam arranged to meet the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, during the parliament's lunch recess. The Prime Minister believed that the Governor-General was bound to accept his advice. But Kerr had other ideas. The Governor-General had been considering how he might use the powers granted to him under the Constitution to end the crippling deadlock. Legal advice from the Chief Justice of the High Court helped him decide his course. He had to act. If the Prime Minister remained unwilling to call a general election, he felt he had no choice but to dismiss him. Shortly after 1.00pm Whitlam entered the Governor-General's study.

Before he had a chance to hand over the documents relating to the half-Senate election, Kerr informed him that his commission had been withdrawn. He was sacked. 'We shall all have to live with this', Kerr remarked as Whitlam was leaving. 'You certainly will', he replied. Soon afterwards, Fraser was sworn in as caretaker Prime Minister. He assured the Governor-General that he would move immediately to arrange the passage of the Budget bills, and would then seek an election for both houses of parliament. The deadlock was broken, but the battle had just begun. Tactics over lunch John Menadue, Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department, was one of those summoned to the Lodge. In this memo he sets out his recollections of the day. (NAA: A1209, 1975/2448) Whitlam returned home to The Lodge for lunch and to plan his next move. He summoned his key advisors, whom he greeted with news 'I've been sacked!' They were like 'stunned mullets', remembered Fred Daly. They could scarcely believe what had happened. In the morning they had been planning optimistically for a half-Senate election. Now, without warning, they had been ejected from office.

Their only chance seemed to lie with Labor's majority in the House of Representatives. They still had the numbers to demonstrate their legitimacy, to show that they were the only party with the confidence of the House. The notice of motion, which Whitlam drafted, embodied their hopes and principles. Sir John Kerr's actions were unprecendented, perhaps unconstitutional, but Labor's response would hold firm to the foundations of representative government. As the tactical discussions continued, Frank Crean left The Lodge for the House. He proceeded to defend the record of a government he knew had just been sacked. But events were moving more quickly in the Senate, where the Budget bills were reintroduced. There was, one parliamentary official recalled, 'a certain amount of confusion'. News of the dismissal was spreading, but Labor's Senate leaders had received no instructions from Whitlam's office. When the time for the vote came the bills were passed with the support of both parties. The new Prime Minister was fulfilling the terms of his agreement with the Governor-General. The Budget bills had been passed, and documents were being prepared to dissolve both houses of parliament. Time was running out for Labor.

A message from the House At the conclusion of the censure debate, Fraser announced to the House that he had been commissioned to form a government. Uproar engulfed the chamber. 'The various interjections from both sides of the Chamber, especially when Mr Fraser spoke, practically drowned out the speakers', noted a parliamentary liaison officer. Having outlined the reasons for the Governor-General's action, Fraser sought to adjourn the House. But the numbers were still against him. Instead, Fred Daly successfully moved to suspend standing orders so that the member for Werriwa, Gough Whitlam, could present a motion. At 3.00pm, Whitlam rose and addressed the House in a last attempt to save his government. The motion he presented differed from the one drafted at the Lodge. He had decided to remove the reference to the Queen, and Fraser had already been commissioned as Prime Minister. But despite the differences, the intent remained – to demonstrate clearly who held the confidence of the House. Whitlam moved: That this House expresses its want of confidence in the Prime Minister and requests Mr Speaker forthwith to advise His Excellency the Governor-General to call the honourable member for Werriwa to form a government.

The motion was carried by a majority of ten. The Speaker, Gordon Scholes, expressed his intention 'to convey the message of the House to His Excellency at the first opportunity'. But despite the urgency of his request, the Speaker was unable to arrange an appointment with the Governor-General until 4.45pm. A matter of timing David Smith, the Governor-General's official secretary, reads the proclamation of the double dissolution on the steps of Parliament House (NAA: A6180, 13/11/75/45) Behind the scenes, departmental officials were working swiftly to provide the Prime Minister with the paperwork needed to proclaim a double dissolution. At 3.50pm Fraser left for Government House with the documents in hand. About ten minutes later the proclamation was signed by the Governor-General. Elections for both houses of parliament would be held on 13 December. The Speaker was waiting outside the gates of Government House when the Governor-General's official secretary, David Smith, drove past on his way to Parliament House. There on the steps of the House, with the towering figure of Gough Whitlam close behind, Smith read the proclamation to the growing, restive crowd.

By the time the Speaker was admitted to convey the House's message to the Governor-General, it was too late. Parliament had been dissolved. Despite widespread anger over the Whitlam government's dismissal, the Labor party was soundly defeated in the election. Governors-General | australia.gov.au Australia.gov.au Helping you find government information and services Search form Reconciliation Governors-General Warning. Australian Stories may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. Australian Stories also contain links to sites that may use images of Aboriginal and Islander people now deceased. His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), sworn in as Governor-General on 28 March, 2014. Image courtesy of the Governor-General's Office. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia represents the monarch of Australia—currently Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The Governor-General has a wide range of powers, exercised under the authority of the Australian Constitution. The functions and roles of the Governor-General include appointing ambassadors, ministers and judges, giving Royal Assent to legislation, issuing writs for elections and bestowing honours. The Governor-General is also Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

In practice, the Governor-General follows the conventions of the Westminster system of parliament and acts only on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. There have been only four exceptions when the Governor-General has exercised the reserve powers of the office, including the sacking of the Prime Minister in 1975. The incumbent Governor-General of Australia is His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd). Prior to his retirement from active service, he was the Chief of the Defence Force from 3 July 2002 to 3 July 2005. Since then has performed and/or served in a number of significant roles and positions. including his appointment by the Queensland Government to lead the taskforce rebuilding communities in the Innisfail region following the devastation caused by Cyclone Larry in 2006. Establishment of the office of Governor-General in Australia The Rt Hon Sir Isaac Isaacs inspecting mounted troops-c1935. Image courtesy of National Library of Australia: vn4227828. The office of Governor-General for the Commonwealth of Australia was conceived during the debates and conventions leading up to Federation in 1901.

The first Governor-General, John Hope, the Earl of Hopetoun was appointed in July 1900 on the advice of the British Parliament, returning to Australia to appoint the inaugural Prime Minister, Edmund Barton. In 1930, Australian Prime Minister James Scullin broke with this practice and advised on the appointment of the Governor-General himself, to the King's displeasure. In November 1930, Sir Isaac Isaacs, the first native-born Australian was sworn in. This remains the current practice: the Australian Prime Minister recommends someone to be appointed as Governor-General. The appointee must be an Australian citizen. In practice, however, Governors-General usually hold office for five years. Duties of the Governor-General The Governor-General (Lord Gowrie) reading the proclamation announcing that Australia is at war with Japan in 1941. Image courtesy of Australian War Memorial: 010689. In Australia, the Governor-General's powers and duties seem quite far-reaching. But the practice of government in Australia, which relies on many rules or 'conventions' not written down in the Australian constitution, narrows the scope of the role.

For example, the Australian Constitution does not explicitly state that there must be a Prime Minister, yet this convention is the way government has been organised since Federation. Another convention is that the Governor-General only undertakes duties on advice from parliamentary ministers. The Governor-General's duties include: issuing writs for new elections commissioning the Prime Minister and appointing other ministers appointing federal judges, Ambassadors and High Commissioners to overseas countries establishing royal commissions of inquiry giving assent to laws that have passed through both houses of parliament. His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, inspect Australia's Federation Guard, August 2008. Image courtesy of the Department of Defence. The Governor-General is also the official Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. In this role, the Governor-General appoints the chiefs of the armed services and commissions officers in the navy, army and air force. The Governor-General only undertakes these duties on the advice of the Minister for Defence. The Governor-General also performs ceremonial duties. These include: receiving visiting heads of state, opening sessions of parliament, awarding honours for community service and bravery and attending community services and functions.

Reserve powers As well as the above duties and powers, the Governor-General has some powers that may be exercised in certain situations without ministerial advice, or even in contradiction to ministerial advice. These powers are called 'the reserve powers'. Because of the reliance of the Australian Constitution on convention, not all of the reserve powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution. This means that the exact nature and scope of the reserve powers is open to interpretation, and there is some dispute about their use. David Smith, Official Secretary to the Governor-General reads the proclamation dissolving both Houses of Parliament on the steps of Parliament House Canberra, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam behind him, 11 November 1975. Image courtesy of the National Library of Australia. an24354947 The reserve powers of the Governor-General have been used on four occasions in the history of Australia. In 1904, Governor-General Lord Northcote refused to dissolve the House of Representatives to allow for a federal election. In 1905, Governor-General Lord Northcote allowed Alfred Deakin to replace George Reid as Prime Minister without facing an election.

In 1909, Governor-General William Humble Ward allowed an unelected coalition of parties to form government. In 1975, Governor-General Sir John Kerr sacked Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and forced a federal election. Whitlam's party, the Australian Labor Party, subsequently lost. This last exercise of the reserve powers is the most famous and controversial in Australia's history. The legalities of the Kerr dismissal have been the subject of debate ever since its occurrence. The 1999 referendum for a republic Future Presidents. Children in Future Australia President T-Shirts. Image courtesy of Australian Republican Movement. In 1999, Australians were asked to vote in a constitutional referendum to determine whether Australia would become a republic. If Australia did become a republic, it was proposed that the office of Governor-General be altered to become the office of President. In a republic model, many of the roles of the Governor-General would be transferred to the new Presidential office. The referendum was defeated, and the office of Governor-General was retained. Former Governors-General His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) is the 26th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The origins and contributions of past Governors-General have varied. Sir William (Bill) Joseph Slim 1953–1960 Governor-General Sir William Slim taking salute from guard of honour, outside Legislative Council building, Mitchell St, Darwin, 1955. Image courtesy of N Gleeson Collection and Northern Territory Library PH0120/0104 . Sir William (Bill) Joseph Slim (1891–1970) trained as a professional soldier in England before being seriously wounded at Gallipoli in August 1915, and rejoining his old battalion in Mesopotamia where he was awarded the Military Cross. He transferred to the Indian Army in 1919. In 1938, after a period in England, he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, given command of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles. To supplement his income, he contributed stories and articles under the pen-name 'Anthony Mills' to English newspapers. Wounded after an air-attack in 1940, he sent a stoical telegram to his mother: 'Bullet Bottom Better Bill'.

Recalled to India in March 1942, Slim was given command of I Burma Corps, then in retreat from Rangoon before the advancing Japanese. His pre-eminent contribution, as in subsequent campaigns, was in maintaining morale. Lord Louis (Earl) Mountbatten considered him 'the finest general World War II produced'. Promoted general on 1 July 1945, Slim took over as commander-in-chief, Allied Land Forces, South East Asia, just as the war ended on 15 August. Partly because of the royal visit of 1954 - the first by a reigning monarch to Australia - but also owing to his own combination of authority and humanity, Slim's governor-generalship was judged to be notably successful, even by those who believed that the office should be held by an Australian. (Australian Dictionary of Biography) Richard Casey [Baron Casey] 1965–1969 Pakistan High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador-of Pakistan and Richard Casey (Governor-General), 1967.

Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia A1501, A7583/2 Born in Brisbane of a father who was a one-time jackeroo and property manager, and a mother whose uncle was a Premier of Queensland, Richard Casey (1890–1976) grew up in Melbourne in relative affluence. Casey graduated as a mechanical engineer before serving at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. In 1924 Casey was appointed by Prime Minister Bruce as the Australian agent in London. After a brief stint as a member of Parliament, Casey was appointed Australian minister to the United States of America, where he showed great flair for diplomacy. In March 1942, (Sir) Winston Churchill offered him the position of United Kingdom minister of state in the Middle East, based in Cairo – which raised hackles in both Australia and the UK. A year later, Churchill appointed him governor of Bengal, India. In 1949, he won a seat in the Australian Parliament and was granted the external affairs portfolio – 'constantly preaching the importance of Asia to an Australia which had taken little interest in it'.

Casey was also interested in the Antarctic and, in 1959, played a leading part in negotiating a treaty covering co-operation in exploration and scientific research. Casey was described as 'the last of the Edwardian gentlemen', the first Australian to be appointed as Governor–General by a non-Labor government. Sir William Deane 1996–2001 Sir William Deane (1931–) was a Justice of the High Court of Australia when he was appointed Governor-General in 1996. As Governor-General, Sir William spoke out on his desire to see meaningful reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. In the inaugural 1996 Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture, Some signposts from Daguragu , he said: As Governor-General, I must be conscious of the need to avoid becoming involved in divisive or party political debate. It is, however, permissible for me to make a plea to the Aboriginal peoples to recognise the progress that has been made in recent years... and to point out to non-Aboriginal people how much remains to be done to overcome or alleviate the terrible problems which are the present consequences of past oppression and injustice.

In 2001, Sir William Deane was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize 'for his consistent support of vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians and his strong commitment to the cause of reconciliation.' It is doubtful that any national leader has spoken more eloquently about Anzac and Australia's military history while at the same time linking them to our multicultural diversity and our bonds with Aboriginal people. (Hugh Dillon, review of 'Sir William Deane: The Things That Matter' by Tony Stephens) Dame Quentin Bryce 2008-2014 On 5 September 2008, Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia's twenty-fifth Governor-General. As the first woman to take up the office, she remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society. Her contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children and the welfare of the family was recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988, and as a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003. On 25 March 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Ms Byrce had become a Dame in the Order of Australia.

Useful links Malcolm Fraser, former Australian prime minister, dies aged 84 | Australia news | The Guardian Malcolm Fraser Malcolm Fraser, former Australian prime minister, dies aged 84 The former Liberal leader, prime minister from 1975 to 1983, won three elections but eventually left the party after becoming disillusioned with its direction Malcolm Fraser had an enduring role in public life long after he finished as prime minister. Link to video. Malcolm Fraser Malcolm Fraser, former Australian prime minister, dies aged 84 The former Liberal leader, prime minister from 1975 to 1983, won three elections but eventually left the party after becoming disillusioned with its direction Katharine Murphy Deputy political editor and Michael Safi Thursday 19 March 2015 19.03 EDT Last modified on Wednesday 26 October 2016 19.26 EDT Close This article is 1 year old The former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser has died at the age 84, after a brief illness. His death was confirmed in a short statement from his office on Friday.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015,” it said. “We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time.” Fraser served as prime minister from 11 November 1975 to 11 March 1983. He came to power after the dismissal of Gough Whitlam’s Labor government – having first triggered a constitutional crisis by engineering deadlock in the Senate. Malcolm Fraser, former Australian prime minister, has died aged 84 - rolling coverage Read more Fraser refused to pass the Whitlam government’s budget bills through the upper house in late 1975. That parliamentary deadlock led to the governor general, John Kerr, sacking Whitlam as prime minister in November 1975. Fraser was appointed caretaker prime minister and, despite considerable community controversy and tumult, went on to win the federal election in December in a landslide. Fraser’s death on Friday comes five months after the death of Whitlam.

Despite the deep antagonisms and partisan divisions of 1975, Fraser and Whitlam eventually came to terms and formed an enduring friendship. In office, Fraser was a staunch conservative on economic policies, an opponent of deregulation – and he was was criticised by his colleagues for lacking reform zeal. But he continued many of Labor’s progressive reforms. In 1976 he established the family court of Australia and federal court of Australia; granted the Northern Territory self-government; passed the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act; created the position of federal ombudsman and established the ABC’s FM radio service. The next year, he established the National Aboriginal Conference and SBS. In 1979 the Fraser government established the Australian Refugee Advisory Council to advise it on the settlement of refugees – many of whom had been arriving as “boat people” from Vietnam since 1978. After criticising the Liberal party’s direction during the years of the Howard government, Fraser finally quit the party when Tony Abbott came to the opposition leadership, unhappy with Abbott’s rejection of emissions trading. He said the Liberal party was no longer a liberal party but instead a conservative party.

Fraser campaigned assiduously for human rights and attacked the party’s stance on immigration and refugees. Abbott on Friday noted that Fraser, “in a long and active retirement, maintained a keen interest in our country’s direction”. Link to video: Malcolm Fraser ‘restored economically responsible government’, says Tony Abbott. The prime minister said Fraser’s actions during the dismissal had been vindicated by subsequent events. “The constitutional crisis of 1975 was one of the defining political events of our nation,” he said. “Malcolm Fraser held true to the belief that his actions were in the best interests of Australia. He was determined to ‘turn on the lights’ and restore Australia’s economic fortunes. The greatest win in Australian political history confirms that he had correctly read the mood of the public.

“The friendship he built in later life with Gough Whitlam spoke volumes about the character of both men at the centre of the crisis: in their own different ways, they were both fierce Australian patriots.” The Liberal Philip Ruddock, who was in the parliament in the Fraser era, said: “Those who recall the manner of his election discouragingly should remember Malcolm as a liberal on issues of race and human rights.” The Liberal party’s federal director, Brian Loughnane, said Fraser was “one of the giants of Australian politics and a seminal figure in the life of our nation”. The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, praised Fraser’s record on foreign policy. The treasurer, Joe Hockey, characterised Fraser as a man of strong principles who had “restored stability after a period of great upheaval”. The former Fraser government minister Fred Chaney said: “I think Australia has lost one of its great moral compasses.” The education minister, Christopher Pyne, paid tribute to Fraser’s lifetime of public service and said Australia “will be poorer without him. Thoughts are with his family.” The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, said Fraser had “showed international leadership of great integrity in condemning the evil of apartheid”.

“He immeasurably enriched Australia’s multicultural society, offering refuge to tens of thousands of vulnerable people driven from Vietnam by the horror of war,” he said. “He maintained the Whitlam government’s commitment to the cause of reconciliation and recognising the land rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” The former Liberal prime minister John Howard said Fraser’s tenure brought “a sense of stability and calm and reassurance restored to the nation’s affairs”. “Anybody who achieves what Malcolm Fraser achieved in his life deserves respect as a quite extraordinary Australian. He brought to the government of this country great integrity,” he said. The former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard said Fraser “was a leader in the fight for racial equality. His brave stance against the evil of South Africa’s apartheid helped changed the world for the better.” “Malcolm will always be remembered kindly for his commitment to multiculturalism and his specific actions to resettle Vietnamese boat people in Australia,” she said. The former Labor prime minister Paul Keating said: “I always thought Malcolm would be around a lot longer. I must say, I wished he had been.

“Notwithstanding a controversial prime ministership, in later years he harboured one abiding and important idea about Australia – its need and its right to be a strategically independent country. “His public life also enshrined other important principles: no truck with race or colour and no tolerance for whispered notions of exclusivity tinged by race. These principles applied throughout his political life.” Former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke said he had “unqualified respect and admiration” for Fraser’s policies on race, which he described as “impeccable”. Of the controversial dismissal, “we shouldn’t dwell on that,” Hawke said. “We should remember that Gough and Malcolm became reconciled and became very good friends, and so if Gough could reconcile that, we should really put that aside.” The current governor general, Peter Cosgrove, said Fraser had made “an indelible contribution to Australia during his many years in public life”. The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young posted a tribute on Twitter. “Mr Fraser a politician of principle and leader of compassion. A true gentleman with a heart full of empathy.

I am devastated.” The Greens leader, Christine Milne, said Fraser’s memory would never be free of the controversy and turmoil of the dismissal of the Whitlam government: “But then and also in later years he courageously offered leadership in social justice and provided a vision for an Australia that truly embraced a fair go for everyone including refugees.” The Labor senator Doug Cameron said: “Australia has lost a great voice for human rights.” Fraser was prime minister between 1975 and 1983, leading the Coalition to election victories after the dismissal of the Whitlam government Published: 19 Mar 2015 Malcolm Fraser, one of Australia's most well-known political figures, has died at the age of 84 Published: 20 Mar 2015 Former Australian prime minister who came to power in controversial circumstances after the dismissal of the Whitlam government but went on to advocate progressive causes Published: 19 Mar 2015 Fraser was prime minister between 1975 and 1983, leading the Coalition to election victories after the dismissal of the Whitlam government.

This timeline from the National Archives of Australia lists key events during this time Published: 19 Mar 2015 First Dog on the Moon Published: 19 Mar 2015 In office - Gough Whitlam - Australia's PMs - Australia's Prime Ministers AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTERS The dismissal Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister from 1972 to 1975, the first Labor Prime Minister since 1949. Labor’s reform plan, dubbed ‘the Program’, was immediately put into action by the first ‘duumvirate’ – a ‘ministry of two’. The government fostered Australian participation in international agreements and became an active player in international organisations. Through ensuring Australia was party to international agreements, the Whitlam government initiated Australia’s first federal legislation on human rights, the environment and heritage. Gough and Margaret Whitlam travelled more widely than any of their predecessors. The Whitlam government introduced reforms in every field. Some, such as health, housing, education and regional development, had been the preserve of the states but now became part of federal policy-making. The government became involved at every tier of education, including a needs-based aid for public schools program.

The government established a Schools Commission and a national employment and training scheme, and abolished university tuition fees. Implementing ‘the Program’ made parliament a busy place. A record number of Bills were introduced and enacted. By Whitlam’s own estimate, more than half his reform plan was implemented. But the Senate also rejected 93 Bills and triggered the events that led to the dismissal of the Whitlam government on 11 November 1975. Original Michael Atchison drawing of Gough Whitlam, c.1972. Reproduced courtesy of Michael Atchison and The Advertiser. NAA: M151, 206 The duumvirate – ministry of two On 5 December 1972 Whitlam became the first Labor Prime Minister since 1949. He and Deputy Prime Minister Lance Barnard were sworn into all portfolios, Whitlam holding 13 and Barnard 14. It was a mini-ministry that was unique in Australian political history. The duumvirate made 40 significant decisions in its brief tenure, including the immediate release of all draft resisters, the removal of troops from Vietnam and the recognition of Communist China.

Although it was a two-man ministry, it was actually a three-man government. To ensure there was no breach of propriety all decisions were made by the Federal Executive Council which has a quorum of three, including the Governor-General or his/her representative. Sir Paul Hasluck as Governor-General attended all meetings of the Federal Executive Council and participated in all decision-making and was thus effectively the third member of the first Whitlam government. The second Whitlam Ministry at Government House, Canberra, 19 December 1972. NAA: M155, B21 The reverse of the photo of the second Whitlam Ministry was autographed by the members. NAA: M155, B21 Caucus elected the full Ministry on 18 December and the 27 ministers were sworn in the next day. A wide restructuring revealed some of the new government’s program. There were new departments for Aboriginal Affairs ( Gordon Bryant ), Education (Kim E Beazley), Environment and Conservation ( Moss Cass ), Media ( Doug McClelland ), Minerals and Energy ( Rex Connor ), Northern Development ( Rex Patterson ), Social Security ( Bill Hayden ), and Urban and Regional Development ( Tom Uren ).

Frank Crean was sworn in as Treasurer and Lionel Murphy as Attorney-General. Barnard was Minister for Defence, and Whitlam held the Foreign Affairs portfolio. The first year 1973 On 15 December 1972, Whitlam and Barnard responded to the failure of the Northern Territory Gove Land Rights Case in 1971 by setting in train a Royal Commission into Aboriginal land rights under Justice Woodward. The findings of the Royal Commission would lead to the drafting of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and the establishment of an elected National Aboriginal Consultative Committee. In 1972 the government also established the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in response to the 1967 referendum constitutional change that gave the Australian Government responsibility to make laws for Aboriginal people. Prime ministerial press statement announcing the decision to hold an inquiry into Aboriginal land rights headed by Justice Woodward, 15 December 1972. NAA: M533, 2, p. 57 In January 1973, Australia re-opened its embassy in Peking, resuming diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China after 24 years.

Gough and Margaret Whitlam set out on a visit to Indonesia in September 1973 and travelled through South-East Asia. On 31 October Whitlam became the first Prime Minister to visit the People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Gough Whitlam with Premier Zhou Enlai in China, 1973. NAA: A6135, K15/11/73/20 As well as setting up new government departments in 1973, the Whitlam government amalgamated the various defence departments into a single agency. On 25 July 1973 the Australian Legal Aid Office was established, with offices in each state capital. Legislation was passed in August 1973 to establish the National Film and Television School in Sydney. In November, the Prime Minister unveiled a plaque launching the construction of a national gallery in Canberra. The government purchased Blue Poles by US artist Jackson Pollock for the gallery at a cost of $1.3 million. This was the highest price ever paid for a modern painting. On 19 October, Queen Elizabeth II became Queen of Australia when she signed her assent to the Royal Style and Titles Act 1973.

The Act deleted the traditional reference to her role as Head of the Church of England by removing ‘Defender of the Faith’ from her Australian titles. Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and Margaret Whitlam with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at The Lodge, 19 October 1973. NAA: A8746, KN30/10/73/62 In December 1973 the government established the Australian Development Assistance Agency to manage overseas aid programs, and the Schools Commission to implement a needs-based program of financial aid to government schools. The government also passed a Bill lowering the voting age to 18. The second year 1974 The reform program for regional development produced results through direct grants to local government bodies around Australia. Grant programs included flood mitigation, urban renewal, leisure and tourist facilities, and building sewerage systems in unserviced urban areas. Under the Department of Urban and Regional Development, the Albury–Wodonga Development Corporation was established on 21 May 1974. It was intended to be a model for similar schemes elsewhere.

Gough Whitlam, Rupert Hamer, Robert Askin and Tom Uren arriving in Albury to sign the Albury–Wodonga Agreement, 1973. NAA: A6180, 24/10/73/77 Regional funding programs provided direct funding for community health centres and regional-based hospitals. By specifying the purpose of financial grants to the states, the government financed a national highway system and a standard-gauge railway line linking Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Alice Springs. Brisbane’s city railway system was extended and electrified. The Opposition majority in the Senate was a major obstacle to government Bills. The Senate’s rejection of six Bills provided the trigger for a double dissolution election in May 1974, when 18-year-olds voted for the first time. Labor was returned with 49.3 per cent of the vote and a reduced majority in the House of Representatives. Although its Senate vote increased by 5 per cent, the government was still without a majority in that House. On 5 August the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory were each granted two Senate seats.

After national polling, on 8 April 1974 ‘Advance Australia Fair’ replaced ‘God Save the Queen’ as Australia’s national anthem. In June the government appointed a national advisory committee for the United Nations’ proposed International Women’s Year in 1975. Margaret Whitlam chaired the committee and Elizabeth Reid, the Prime Minister’s adviser on women, headed the committee’s secretariat. Letters from Gough Whitlam to Patrick White, Kath Walker, Manning Clark and David Williamson asking them to help choose the new national anthem, April 1973. NAA: M501, 3 Two Royal Commissions were announced in August 1974: one into human relationships and the other into intelligence and security. The Trade Practices Commission was established on 1 October, and the Australian Law Reform Commission was formally established on 1 January 1975. The Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service was established in 1974 as part of the Department of Environment and Conservation. After Cyclone Tracy destroyed much of Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, Whitlam returned from a trip to Europe and inspected the devastation – hear the Prime Minister’s message to the cyclone victims.

Gough Whitlam with journalists at a press conference in the wake of Cyclone Tracy, Darwin, 1974. NAA: A6180, 31/12/74/65 The last year 1975 The Whitlam government continued its rapid pace of change. An Order of Australia replacing the British honours system was announced on Australia Day (26 January) 1975. In March the Australian Film Commission and the Australia Council were established, and in April a Consumer Affairs Commission commenced operation. In July the Australian Heritage Commission was established. In May when a Technical and Further Education Commission was set up, the Whitlam government was able to introduce reforms at every tier of education, including a national employment and training scheme and the abolition of university tuition fees. Attorney-General Senator Lionel Murphy was appointed to the High Court of Australia in February 1975. Keppel Enderby, Member for the Australian Capital Territory, replaced him as Attorney-General. In June the Family Law Act 1975 was enacted, creating the first no fault divorce procedure in the world and providing for a national Family Court (established in 1976).

In June the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 also became law, ratifying a United Nations convention that, although signed by Australia, had remained unratified for nine years. At the United Nations, Australia gave support to non-racial voting at the General Assembly, changing Australia’s voting on South Africa. Australia also banned South African sporting teams while that country remained under an apartheid regime. Al Grassby, the first Commissioner for Community Relations, with Gough Whitlam at the proclamation of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. NAA: A6180, 4/11/75/23 Whitlam’s overseas travel in 1975 included a visit to Indonesia in April for meetings with President Soeharto . Gough Whitlam and President Soeharto lunching al fresco with Australian and Indonesian officials, Indonesia, April 1975.

NAA: A6180, 11/4/75/105 One of the most sweeping of the Whitlam government’s domestic reforms during 1975 was the establishment of Medibank, enabled by the Health Insurance Act 1973, which was passed at the 1974 joint sitting of parliament. The national health care scheme began operating on 1 July 1975 and incorporated many of the recommendations of the 1968 Nimmo Report. Comprehensive changes were also made in social welfare areas – a supporting mother’s benefit and a welfare payment for homeless people were introduced. On 1 July 1975 two new communications agencies – Telecom and Australia Post – replaced one of the first departments established at Federation, the Postmaster-General’s Department. Three major inquiries were appointed in 1975: a Royal Commission on Norfolk Island in May, an environmental inquiry into Fraser Island, and the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry in July. On 16 August 1975 the Prime Minister formally handed the Gurindji people at Wattie Creek in the Northern Territory title deeds to part of their traditional lands.

This was the culmination of a decade of struggle since the Gurindji first walked off Wave Hill Station to claim their traditional lands at Daguragu. A month later, Papua New Guinea celebrated independence from Australian administration. Lowering the Australian flag for the last time at Papua New Guinea Independence Day ceremonies, 15 September 1975. Gough and Margaret Whitlam were among the dignitaries who attended the celebrations. NAA: A6180, 22/9/75/20 Implementing ‘the Program’ made parliament a busy place in the three years of the Whitlam government. A record number of Bills were introduced and enacted. By Whitlam’s own estimate, more than half his reform plan was implemented. But during these three years the Senate rejected 93 Bills. This was more than the total number rejected during the previous 71 years of parliament, some 68 Bills. Rivalry among ministers, including Whitlam and his Attorney-General, Lionel Murphy, exacerbated the government’s difficulties. Crisis came in the Loans Affair. In 1974–75 the government considered by-passing the Loans Council to raise US$4 billion in foreign loans.

Although the plan was abandoned, Minister Rex Connor continued secret negotiations through an international broker, and Treasurer Jim Cairns misled parliament over the affair. Although Whitlam sacked both ministers, the Loans Affair enabled new Liberal Party leader Malcolm Fraser to justify refusing to vote on the budget Bills in the Senate. The aim was to force the government to an election while its electoral fortunes were in decline. The New South Wales and Queensland premiers further reduced government numbers in the Senate when they broke with convention and made non-Labor appointments to two seats vacated by Labor senators. Cleaver Bunton replaced New South Wales Senator Murphy, who resigned on 10 February 1975 to become a Justice of the High Court. Then, when Queensland Labor Senator Bert Milliner died in June 1975, the government of Joh Bjelke-Petersen nominated Albert Field to the vacancy. The dismissal Whitlam decided against calling another double dissolution, and from October to November 1975 the parliament was in its worst political deadlock. The Opposition used its majority in the Senate to defer passage of the Budget, and the government was without a Supply vote to continue operating. On 11 November Governor-General Sir John Kerr broke the deadlock in an unprecedented move.

When Whitlam visited Kerr to call for a half-Senate election, the Governor-General withdrew his commission as Prime Minister and replaced him with Malcolm Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister until an election could be held. The Senate passed the Budget on the same day. On 12 November the Opposition, with a minority in the House of Representatives, replaced the government. Gough Whitlam on the steps of Parliament House as the proclamation dissolving both houses of parliament is read, 11 November 1975. NAA: A6180, 13/11/75/33 The ‘dismissal’ sparked fierce public debate. Whitlam contended that the 1975 Budget had been stalled, not rejected, and, as some Liberal senators later confirmed, they would have soon voted to end the Senate deadlock. He argued that the crisis was political not constitutional, that it could have been resolved by political means and, if not for Sir John Kerr’s action, it would have been resolved in his government’s favour. But a month later, the Fraser government was returned in its own right at the double dissolution election.

Sources Freudenberg, Graham, A Certain Grandeur: Gough Whitlam in Politics, Macmillan, Melbourne, 1977. Hocking, Jenny, Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History, Melbourne University Publishing, Carlton, 2008. Hocking, Jenny, ‘History by numbers’, introduction to Sybil Nolan (ed.), The Dismissal: Where were You on November 11, 1975?, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, 2005, pp. 1–14. Lloyd, Clem, ‘Edward Gough Whitlam’, in Michelle Grattan (ed.), Australian Prime Ministers, New Holland, Sydney, 2000. Lloyd, Clem and Gordon Reid, Out of the Wilderness: The Return of Labor, Cassell Australia, Melbourne, 1974. Oakes, Laurie, Whitlam PM: A Biography, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1973. Reid, Alan, The Whitlam Venture, Hill of Content, Melbourne, 1976.

Souter, Gavin, Acts of Parliament: A Narrative History of the Senate and House of Representatives, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1988. Walter, James, The Leader: A Political Biography of Gough Whitlam, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1980. Whitlam, Gough, The Whitlam Government 1972–1975, Viking, Melbourne, 1985. The Dismissal, 1975 - Malcolm Fraser: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers Chapter 2: Records about Malcolm Fraser in the National Archives of Australia The Dismissal, 1975 The controversial dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November 1975 changed the course of Australian history. Although the Coalition won strong majorities in both the 1975 and 1977 elections, and won a third term in 1980, the controversy continued.

Records CORRESPONDENCE FILES, ANNUAL SINGLE NUMBER SERIES, 1929– This is the Attorney-General's Department's main correspondence files series. Quantity: 2182 metres (Canberra), 291 metres (Sydney) Recorded by: 1929–: Attorney-General's Department, Central Office ( CA 5 ) Whether the Governor-General has the power to dismiss a prime minister, 1975 A432, GCD1975/7906 CORRESPONDENCE FILES, ANNUAL SINGLE NUMBER SERIES WITH OCCASIONAL ‘G’ (GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS) INFIX, 1956– This series was raised to deal with the general and policy matters handled by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Subjects vary considerably, reflecting the coordinating function of the department. Political, social, cultural, economic, industrial and defence matters are all dealt with; other aspects include the administration of the Australian Government, immigration, honours, international conferences and diplomatic relations with other countries.

Recorded by: 1971–: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ( CA 1401 ) House of Representatives motions, 1960–77 Includes want of confidence and censure motions against the government and individual ministers as at 16 October 1975. Failure of supply – government employees, 1975 Includes reaction to the delay of Appropriation Bills. Caretaker and administrative arrangements, 1974–75 Contains arrangements for the caretaker Fraser Ministry, 11 November to 13 December 1975. A463, 1975/4375 CORRESPONDENCE FILES (TREASURY), 1901–76 This is the main correspondence series of Treasury files. Items listed below are a small example of items that contain Fraser-related material.

Quantity: 50 metres (Canberra), 22 metres (Sydney) Recorded by: 1901–76: Department of the Treasury (I), Central Office ( CA 11 ) Caretaker government – guidance and background, 1974–75 A571, 1975/6607 Deferral of supply, 1974–75 Includes details of a scheme to facilitate access to finance for employees of, and suppliers to, the Australian Government. A11473, 11 CORRESPONDENCE FILES, SINGLE NUMBER SERIES, 1975–77 This series comprises correspondence (letters, telegrams and cards) addressed to His Excellency Sir John Kerr as Governor-General of Australia. It covers the period 1975 to 1977 and is in two distinct alphabetical sequences. Correspondence in the first sequence mainly relates to the dismissal of the Whitlam government in November 1975 (items 1–21). The second sequence consists of letters and telegrams of support addressed to Sir John Kerr following the announcement of his resignation from office on 14 July 1977.

A small number of news cuttings and publications are also in the series. Series: A10926 Quantity: 0.18 metres (Canberra) Recorded by: 1975–77: Governor-General ( CA 1 ); 1975–77: The Rt Hon Sir John Robert Kerr AK, GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, QC ( CP 266 ) Letters and telegrams of criticism addressed to the Governor-General Sir John Kerr, 1975–77 A10926, 3 PRESS OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE, 1975–78 This series was primarily maintained in the Prime Minister's Press Office during Fraser's prime ministership. The series covers the period November 1975 to early January 1979, with several papers dating from mid-1975 when Fraser was Leader of the Opposition. The correspondence relates to a wide range of local, national and international issues.

Series: M1280 Quantity: 0.54 metres (Canberra) Recorded by: 1975–78: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ( CA 1401 ); 1975–78: The Rt Hon John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH ( CP 51 ) Press and media relations, 1976 Relates to interview requests; includes Federal Capital Press report (1976), Heritage magazine with feature articles on the Dismissal and Sir John Kerr (nos 1–2, 1976), and an article for the Pacific Defence Reporter. M1280, 16 PART 2 TELEXES RECEIVED AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND AS PRIME MINISTER, 1975–79 This series contains copies of telexes retained by Fraser. The first binder covers the last three months of his time as Leader of the Opposition (August to November 1975) and then caretaker Prime Minister (November to December 1975). The telexes in the second binder are copies forwarded to Fraser at his property Nareen in the Western District of Victoria.

They cover the period April 1976 to August 1979 when he was Prime Minister. Series: M1341 Quantity: 0.30 metres (Canberra) Recorded by: 1975–79: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ( CA 1401 ); 1975: Department of the House of Representatives – Leader of the Opposition ( CA 692 ); 1975–79: The Rt Hon John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH ( CP 51 ) Personal papers of Prime Minister Fraser – telexes received as Leader of the Opposition and caretaker Prime Minister, August–December 1975 M1341, 1 PERSONAL PAPERS OF SIR CLARENCE HARDERS (SECRETARY, ATTORNEY- GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT), 1965–97 Sir Clarence (Clarrie) Harders largely accumulated this series during his career in the service of the Commonwealth, including as Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department (1970–79).

Topics include the 1974–75 Loans Affair, dismissal of the Whitlam government and the subsequent Sankey versus Whitlam legal proceedings. Series: M4081 Quantity: 6 metres (Canberra) Recorded by: 1965–80: Attorney-General's Department, Central Office – Deputy Secretary/Secretary's Office ( CA 5 ); 1965–97: Sir Clarence Waldemar Harders OBE ( CP 686 ) The Dismissal – advice, 1975 Malcolm Fraser - Australia's PMs - Australia's Prime Ministers AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTERS Home > Australia's PMs > Malcolm Fraser Malcolm Fraser Malcolm Fraser was Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister. He began his term as caretaker Prime Minister on 11 November 1975, after Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam’s Labor government. The Fraser Coalition government was returned with the largest landslide of any federal election a month later, and remained in office until 1983. Nonetheless, the constitutional crisis made its beginning controversial and marked Fraser’s prime ministership.

Malcolm Fraser emerges from Parliament House on 11 November 1975, after announcing that Governor-General Sir John Kerr had appointed him caretaker Prime Minister. NAA: A6180, 13/11/75/31 Malcolm Fraser had an important influence on the changing relations of countries within the British Commonwealth, and on shaping Australia’s relations with the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Though economic rationalism was introduced in policy debate during his term of office, his government reflected more traditional principles in financial management and fiscal policy. Before becoming Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser had spent ten years as a backbencher in the government of Robert Menzies. He became Minister for the Army in 1966, under Harold Holt, and was also a minister in the governments of John Gorton and William McMahon.

The Dismissal, 1975 - Fact sheet 240 – National Archives of Australia, Australian Government Publications and podcasts The Dismissal, 1975 – Fact sheet 240 When he assumed leadership of the Liberal Party in March 1975, Malcolm Fraser pledged that the Opposition would only use its Senate numbers to block supply in the 'most extraordinary and reprehensible circumstances'. Fraser cited the loans affair, 1974–75 as an example of these circumstances in his October announcement that the Opposition would defer voting on the Whitlam government's appropriation bills. Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced that he would not be forced into calling an early election. The bills were reintroduced and deferred several times. Faced with dwindling funds, the government devised a plan to borrow money from banks so it could continue to pay public servants and creditors when supply ran out. The Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, met with Fraser and Whitlam several times in an attempt to resolve the Senate deadlock. He also received advice from the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General on the constitutional position.

Controversy still surrounds the role of the Chief Justice of the High Court, Sir Garfield Barwick, who provided advice to the Governor-General before the dismissal. On 11 November at Government House, Sir John advised Whitlam that he was terminating his commission as prime minister and swore in Malcolm Fraser as caretaker prime minister. On the afternoon of 11 November, the Senate passed the appropriation bills and the two houses were dissolved. Despite demonstrations across the country, Fraser's Liberal–National Party coalition won the 13 December elections with a devastating swing against the former government. The new Fraser ministry was sworn in on 22 December 1975. The records The National Archives holds many records relating to the dismissal, including departmental and personal records. Some of these files are listed below. Commonwealth records become available once they enter the open access period . To identify other records, search the collection using keywords such as ‘double dissolution’, ‘caretaker government’, ‘senate appropriation bills’, or ‘dismissal prime minister’ (with the date ‘1975’). Selection of departmental records about the Dismissal Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Question: Which Australian Prime Minister was dismissed by the Governor-General in 1975?
Answer: GOUGH WHITLAM