The Dismissal deniers | The Spectator Australia

The Dismissal Deniers

Next Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of governor-general Sir John Kerr's lawful use of a constitutional power to resolve a deep political deadlock and ensure the Crown received the necessary funds to continue governing. For this action, Sir John has faced relentless criticism, continuing even after his death.

Clarifying Sir John Kerr's Role

It is important to state clearly that Sir John Kerr did not remove an extremely incompetent government; the people of Australia did that. Kerr merely provided them with the chance to do so. Notably, this outcome was a consequence of his decision, not its primary intent.

Anniversary Reactions

This milestone was expected to revive attacks on Sir John Kerr. However, what emerged was a coordinated three-pronged challenge:

The event, chaired by Barrie Cassidy, features strong Kerr critics including journalists Paul Kelly, Troy Bramston, and academic Professor Jenny Hocking—most of whom are aligned with Labor. This guarantees a charged atmosphere around the parliamentary precinct on this significant day.

"Sir John Kerr simply gave them the opportunity to do so. And more importantly, that was a by-product of – not the motivation for – his decision."

This anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring controversy surrounding Kerr's decision and its impact on Australian political history.

Author’s summary: The 50th anniversary of Sir John Kerr’s dismissal highlights ongoing debates, with renewed criticism largely driven by partisan narratives rather than the historical facts of his constitutional role.

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The Spectator Australia The Spectator Australia — 2025-11-09

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