The Whitlam government and the Dismissal, 1972 to 1975 (QCE Modern History Unit 3, Australia since 1901)

What this topic is asking

Unit 3 "Australia since 1901" is a topic, and your school chooses the aspect to study. The Whitlam years suit questions about causes, perspectives and historiography, because the Dismissal is still debated. The official syllabus is at qcaa.qld.edu.au.

The 1972 election and the reform program

Labor won the election of 2 December 1972 with the slogan "It's Time". Whitlam and his deputy Lance Barnard governed as a two-man ministry for two weeks before the full ministry was sworn in. Early decisions included ending conscription, releasing people jailed for draft resistance and recognising the People's Republic of China.

Over the next three years the government:

• began to abolish university fees from 1974 and set up the Schools Commission to direct funds to schools in need
• developed a national health insurance scheme, Medibank, which started in July 1975
• strengthened Aboriginal land rights policy and handed land back to the Gurindji in 1975
• ended the use of race in immigration policy and passed the Racial Discrimination Act 1975
• moved Papua New Guinea to independence in September 1975

Critics said the government tried to do too much too quickly, and supporters said it modernised Australia after a long period of conservative government.

Economic pressure

The 1973 oil price shock, rising inflation and growing unemployment, often called stagflation, hurt the government. Whitlam also lost ministers through scandals and resignations. In 1975 a plan to borrow overseas funds through an intermediary, Tirath Khemlani, became known as the "loans affair" and damaged its credibility.

The Senate and the crisis

Labor won the 1974 election, which had been called after the Senate rejected several bills, and it held a joint sitting of Parliament later that year to pass them. It did not control the Senate. In October 1975 the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Fraser, used the Coalition's Senate numbers to defer the budget bills, which blocked supply, meaning the government could not legally spend money. Fraser argued that the government's handling of the loans affair justified the action. Whitlam refused to call an election for the House of Representatives and argued that a government that held the confidence of the House should not be forced out by the Senate.

The Dismissal

On 11 November 1975 Governor-General Sir John Kerr withdrew Whitlam's commission and appointed Fraser as caretaker prime minister on the condition that Fraser secure supply and then go to an election (Museum of Australian Democracy). Kerr did not warn Whitlam beforehand. According to the National Museum of Australia, Whitlam had proposed an immediate half-Senate election, which was not granted. Accounts of what was said at Government House that day differ, so treat any single version with care. Whitlam's supporters were outraged, and Whitlam told a crowd outside Parliament House to "maintain your rage". The Coalition won a large majority at the election on 13 December 1975.

Interpretation

• Constitutional view. Kerr acted within the Governor-General's reserve powers because the government could not obtain supply, so he resolved a deadlock.
• Critical view. Kerr should have warned Whitlam, and the Senate's action broke a convention that the Senate does not block supply for a government with a House majority.
• Political view. The crisis happened because both leaders believed they would win the election that followed.

Practice questions

1. Describe two reforms of the Whitlam government.

Model answer: It began to abolish university fees from 1974, and it started Medibank in 1975. It also ended conscription and recognised China.

2. Explain why supply was important to the crisis.

Model answer: Supply is the money the government needs to pay for its operations. If the Senate refused to pass the budget bills, the government would run out of funds, so the Opposition used this to force an election.

3. Evaluate the role of John Kerr in the events of 11 November 1975.

Model answer: Kerr ended the deadlock and made sure an election was held, so he can be seen as acting to protect the system. However, he did not warn Whitlam and he used a reserve power in a way that critics said was unnecessary. A balanced judgement acknowledges both views and states which evidence is stronger.