The 50th Anniversary of the Dismissal
Next Tuesday will mark the 50th anniversary of when governor-general Sir John Kerr legitimately exercised a constitutional power to resolve a political deadlock and secure funds necessary for the Crown to govern. Despite this, Sir John has faced relentless criticism during his life and posthumously.
Clarifying Kerr's Role
It is important to understand that Sir John Kerr did not remove a grossly incompetent government—the people of Australia did. Kerr simply provided the opportunity for this change, which was a consequence rather than the motivation behind his decision.
Anticipated Reactions to the Anniversary
The anniversary has sparked a new wave of criticism against Kerr. Unexpectedly, this has taken the form of three major projects:
- A new biography of Whitlam
- A documentary by Sky News Australia
- A day-long event hosted by the Museum of Australian Democracy, live-streamed from Old Parliament House
The Partisan Nature of the Commemorations
The live event, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, features participants such as journalists Paul Kelly, Troy Bramston, and academic Professor Jenny Hocking—strong critics of Kerr. Most involved align with the Labor Party, heightening the expected controversy around the anniversary.
"Sir John Kerr simply gave [the Australian people] the opportunity to do so. And more importantly, that was a by-product of – not the motivation for – his decision."
These commemorations promise to generate significant debate in what should be a solemn moment of reflection.
Author's summary: The 50th anniversary of Sir John Kerr's dismissal highlights ongoing partisan debates, revealing how his constitutional role is still fiercely contested in Australian politics today.