The Liberal-Country Party coalition had governed
for twenty-three years before the 1972 election.
Billy McMahon, the Liberal leader was ineffective
on the campaign trail, however, against Labor’s leader
Gough Whitlam, a former lawyer, who spoke of change.
Labor’s slogan ‘It’s time’ caught on with those voters
who did want change. The ALP won the election narrowly.
In government they delivered on their promises.
They legislated a new medical system, Medicare,
which provided low- cost or free medical treatment
for all Australians. They made university free.
They abolished the British honors system
so there was less sycophancy and more equality.
They chose’Advance Australia Fair’as the national anthem.
They gave fairer treatment to the Aborigine people
over land titles in the Northern Territory.
I felt excitement in the air in Canberra.
On 8 May 1974 Whitlam called a double dissolution election
in response to the Senate refusing bills passed by the House.
The ALP won with a majority of five seats
but still did not get control ofthe Senate.
Whitlam increased wages for civil servants,
to keep parity with the private sector.
The Treasurer gave tax cuts across the board.
A four billion dollar loan from a Pakistani financier
did not happen, but criticism in the media did.
Malcolm Fraser, the Liberal leader, used the Senate
to block bills and even refuse supply to Labor,
so that they would have no money to pay wages,
no money for any projects after 31 November.
The Governor-General, John Kerr, wanted another election,
so did Fraser, but Whitlam refused that solution.
(Whitlam had appointed Kerr in the first place) .
There was a crisis looming and getting closer.
On 11 November John Kerr summoned Whitlam to Yarralumla
and withdrew his commission and dismissed his government.
Fraser was waiting in the wings in another room,
having negotiated with Kerr beforehand.
Kerr appointed Fraser as a caretaker Prime Minister,
until yet another election could be held.
The Liberals were back in business the next day.
Sir John Kerr, as the Queen’s Representative,
did have ‘reserve powers’ to dismiss a Prime Minister
but did he stop to think about the ethics of the matter?
(Gough Whitlam 1916-2014) .
– 27 September 2019.
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- L’encouragement. (Translation) .
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- L’echelle.(Translation) .
- L’an De Cent Changements.(Translation) .
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- Pour Le President Johnson Aux Rives De L’amerique.(Translation) .
- La Clarte.(Translation) .
- Une Mort Dans La Famille. (Translation) .
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