The 50th Anniversary of Sir John Kerr's Dismissal
Next Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the occasion when governor-general Sir John Kerr legitimately exercised a constitutional power to resolve a severe political deadlock and secure funds for the Crown to continue governing. Despite this, Sir John Kerr has faced relentless criticism, both during his life and posthumously.
Clarifying Sir John Kerr's Role
It is important to state clearly that Sir John Kerr did not remove a grossly incompetent government; the Australian people did. Kerr merely provided them the opportunity to do so. His decision was a consequence, not a motive, of this outcome.
Anticipated Reactions to the Anniversary
Originally, it was expected that the anniversary would provoke renewed attacks on Sir John Kerr. What was not foreseen was a threefold campaign:
- A new biography of Gough Whitlam
- A Sky News Australia documentary
- A full-day event organised by the Museum of Australian Democracy, live-streamed from Old Parliament House
Partisan Elements in the Commemoration
The live-streamed event, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, features prominent critics of Sir John Kerr, including journalists Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston, and academic Professor Jenny Hocking. Most participants are aligned with the Labor Party, predicting a highly charged atmosphere around the parliamentary precinct on this significant day.
"Sir John Kerr simply gave them the opportunity to [remove the government]. And more importantly, that was a by-product of – not the motivation for – his decision."
The anniversary will undoubtedly stir strong emotions, reflecting the enduring controversy of Kerr’s actions.
Author's summary: The 50th anniversary of Sir John Kerr’s dismissal remains a contentious event, with debates fueled by partisan memorials and renewed critiques overshadowing Kerr's constitutional role.