Politics Now The Whitlam dismissal | Insiders On Background
13 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
Join veteran political journalist Niki Savva, who witnessed the Whitlam dismissal firsthand, and author Troy Bramston, who has extensively researched this pivotal moment in Australian history. Savva recounts the chaotic atmosphere on the day of the dismissal, her insights on Gough Whitlam's ambitious reform agenda, and the confusion in Parliament following the shocking news. Bramston delves into John Kerr's controversial role, the palace's warnings, and the lasting impact of this political crisis on Australia's governance.
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Opposition's Long Game On Supply
- The Coalition never fully accepted Whitlam's legitimacy and persistently threatened to block supply.
- That sustained opposition strategy created a prolonged instability that fuelled the 1975 crisis.
Journalist's Memory Of The Moment
- Niki Savva was offsite at lunchtime collecting saucepans when she heard Whitlam had been sacked and ran back to Parliament House.
- She described chaos inside the building and staff and ministers unaware of the dismissal for hours.
Scandals And Supply Escalated Crisis
- The supply deadlock, scandals like the loans affair, and economic strain made resolution urgent.
- These combined pressures turned a political standoff into a constitutional crisis by late 1975.
